Gastritis Flare-Ups: Triggers, Symptoms and When to See a Doctor

February 3, 2026

Gastritis Flare-Ups: Triggers, Symptoms and When to See a Doctor

Verified By
KIMS-SUNSHINE
Specialist,
03 February, 2026

Gastritis Flare-Ups: Triggers, Symptoms and When to See a Doctor

The stomach is a pouch shaped organ that is used to store food and begin the process of digestion in earnest, after food has been chewed and pushed down into it. When the inner gastric mucosal lining is torn or affected because of a specific cause or trigger, it can result in inflammation. If this inflammation continues unabated, then it can turn into chronic gastritis and this can be problematic in the long run. To preserve quality of life, it makes sense to consult the top gastroenterologists at the best hospital in Hyderabad for this very reason.

Gastritis Causes And Triggers

Gastritis can be acute or chronic and continue for a long time. Gastritis can also directly eat away at the mucosal lining and cause ulcers to form, or erosion of the layer may not happen. Some of the most well known causes include- H.pylori infection which can lead to gastritis. This is the most common cause in the Indian subcontinent. Other triggers include alcohol, stress which can increase stomach acid production, autoimmune disease, drug induced gastritis (when you consume medications like NSAIDs on a regular basis, which can irritate the lining) and eosinophilic gastritis respectively. Even surgery can mess with blood supply to the region and cause the gastric lining to atrophy or wither away. Some cancer survivors report that chemotherapy or radiation therapy can also worsen symptoms.

Symptoms of Gastritis

Gastritis symptoms flare up when you are exposed to a particular trigger. The stomach lining inflammation caused can cause symptoms like the following-

Indigestion and bloating
Stomach ulcers due to H.pylori infection or some other cause.
You may not have a good appetite and may feel full with just a little bit of food.
If the gastric lining has been affected, you may notice blood in your stool or vomit.
If an ulcer is present, then you may deal with a burning kind of pain in the stomach. Otherwise, epigastric pain in the upper middle abdomen is pretty common.

Diagnosis of Gastritis

Apart from taking a detailed medical history and checking your symptoms, a doctor may recommend detailed imaging- like X-rays, so that ulcers or erosion can be physically found. Even with the presence of these, there is no guarantee that you will be diagnosed with gastritis immediately. Simple blood tests, stool tests and H. pylori breath tests can help your doctor understand the issue better. Blood tests can check for infection, anaemia or iron loss as blood loss is present and check for nutritional deficiencies and electrolyte imbalances.

The only way to confirm gastritis is to get a biopsy done – as inflammation and associated markers can be seen with an endoscope during the procedure and this can be confirmed with the tissue, when visualised under a microscope.

Long Term Management of Gastritis

If you have a flare up and want to deal with it quickly, using any over the counter proton pump inhibitors or neutralising agent can help. This is temporary though, so instead of focusing on a quick fix, try to eliminate triggers and work on finding out the exact cause of gastritis, so you can treat that properly.

If H. pylori infection is the cause, then antibiotics can help clear the infection up.

If NSAIDs are the problem, then other painkillers can be used instead.

Specific immunosuppressants or similar medications for autoimmune disorders can help calm an overactive immune system.

Conclusion

Chronic gastritis complications include peptic ulcer disease – where you have frequent ulcers. The repeated cycle of inflammation and healing can cause scar tissue to build up, obstructing free movement of food to the intestine. If you still don’t get the ulcer treated, it can cause a hole or pronounced perforation in the stomach wall- leading to a higher risk of suffering from septicemia, as pathogens gain access to the bloodstream this way. Other issues include developing deficiencies or even cancer in very rare cases. If you suffer from the abovementioned symptoms and know for a fact that your day isn’t going well like before, it is time to call our specialists for a consultation today!

Frequently Asked Questions

What triggers a gastritis flare-up?

Gastritis flares occur when the stomach lining becomes inflamed. Common triggers include infection with Helicobacter pylori, frequent use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, excessive alcohol intake, smoking, bile reflux, and severe illness. Spicy or acidic foods can aggravate symptoms when inflammation is already present. Skipping meals and overeating may also increase acid irritation.

Can stress worsen gastritis?

Yes. Psychological stress does not directly cause gastritis but can increase stomach acid production and heighten pain perception. Physical stress from surgery, trauma, burns, or critical illness can lead to stress-related erosive gastritis due to reduced blood flow to the stomach lining. Managing stress and sleep can help reduce symptom flares.

What foods should be avoided in gastritis?

Avoid spicy curries with excess chilli or pepper, tamarind-heavy dishes, pickles, deep-fried snacks, oily gravies and strong filter coffee. Very sour fermented foods may also worsen symptoms. Choose mild, low-oil options like plain idli, soft dosa, steamed rice and lightly seasoned vegetables instead. Individual tolerance varies, so tracking food triggers can guide choices too.

Can gastritis lead to ulcers?

Yes. Persistent inflammation can damage the protective mucosal layer, allowing acid to erode the stomach lining and form peptic ulcers. H. pylori infection and long-term NSAID use increase this risk. Ulcers may cause bleeding, anemia, or perforation if untreated.

Can gastritis become a chronic problem?

Gastritis can become chronic when inflammation lasts for months or years. Chronic gastritis may result from untreated H. pylori, autoimmune conditions, ongoing NSAID use, or bile reflux. Long-standing inflammation can lead to atrophy of the stomach lining and, in rare cases, increase the risk of gastric cancer.