Gastritis causes pain, cramping and loss of appetite

I am 38-year-old male and have been having stomach problems for the past ten months (I’ve never had a ‘strong’ stomach).

I have been experiencing severe bloating, pain in my upper stomach and chest, and even some difficulty taking in full breaths when my stomach feels like it seizes up. I’ve had lots of tests and I was told I had severe gastritis.

Further tests showed I have helicobacter pylori infection in my stomach. I have just completed my second treatment of triple therapy - the first treatment didn’t eliminate the H. pylori - but I still don’t feel right. It feels like my stomach is tight and being pulled upwards. Please help. >>

Gastritis is the term used to describe inflammation of the stomach lining, and in severe cases this leads to symptoms such as pain, cramping, burning, nausea, and loss of appetite. While this is an upsetting condition to experience, it is good that you have been able to get a definitive diagnosis from your doctor.

Thirty years ago, two Australian scientists noted that almost every patient with gastritis was infected with the helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacterium. In fact, it is estimated that almost half of the world’s population carries the H. pylori bacterium.

This clever bacterium surrounds itself with ammonia, which provides protection from the acidic environment of the stomach. This means it is able to penetrate the mucosa (mucous membrane) and attach itself to the epithelial cells. The resulting thinning of the mucosa, combined with the release of ammonia, contributes to peptic ulcers.

One of the most effective remedies for H. pylori and gastritis is mastic gum - which is simply the resin of the Pistacia lentiscus tree. It has been shown to eliminate H. pylori and reduce gut inflammation, while restoring digestive function. Mastika is a supplement containing 500mg of mastic gum and can be purchased from health stores or online at www.hereshealth.ie. Sixty capsules cost €19.99.

It is important to make a few lifestyle changes - smoking, spicy and fatty foods, alcohol, milk, stress, and aspirin usage will all worsen gastritis symptoms. Do eat regular small meals, taking care to avoid foods that you usually have difficulty digesting. Milk promotes the secretion of gastric acid, which will exacerbate your symptoms.

¦ My husband suffers from tinnitus. He started on Solgar vitamin B12 1,000mcgs daily instead of twice daily. He has taken a month’s supply. Should he take twice the daily dose or continue with the daily dose?

Also, if a blood test result for vitamin B12 is within the recommended range should he continue to take B12 orally? He has been suffering from tinnitus for quite a few years but the condition is worsening and he is finding it intolerable. I would be grateful for any further advice you could give. >>

Tinnitus is one of those conditions where the symptoms can be deeply disturbing. The continuous or intermittent sensation of a ringing or buzzing in the head typically causes the sufferer to be on edge almost all of the time.

Your husband is doing the right thing by getting onto the vitamin B12 in therapeutic dosages, but you are quite right - he will need to double the dosage to 2000mcg daily for a month in order to help repair the myelin sheaths which protect the nerve cells of the inner ear. After this month he can return to 1000mcg daily until his symptoms recede.

So many people are deficient in B12, and tinnitus sufferers in particular tend to be very low in this nutrient. If he hasn’t already, it might be an idea for your husband to check with a specialist in order to rule out any underlying disorders.

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