Gastritis is an inflammatory process that is developed in the stomach's mucosa. Depending on the existent effect they may be classified in erosive and non-erosive gastritis.

In relation to the time of evolution, they may be also classified as acute, in which single inflammation of the mucosa appears, and chronic in which in addition to the inflammation there is a certain degree of atrophies of the stomach's coating and food digestion disorders.

Multiple factors cause the development of gastritis, such as: non-steroid anti-inflammatory (NSAIDs) and the prolonged use of medicines, stress, alcohol, cigarette, garlic and other spicy foods, age degeneration of the stomach's coating, chronic biliary reflux or the presence of the Helicobacter bacterium pylori.

The clinical manifestations are inespecific, with the possibility of no bother. It generally begins with loss of appetite, occasional nauseas and vomits, weight loss, flatulence, acidity, faintness, burning sensation behind the sternum , halitosis, intolerance to certain foods and ardor sensation in the abdomen. The potential complications are gastrointestinal bleeding and an increase of gastric cancer risk.

For the treatment of gastritis, traditionally the inhibition of stomach acid secretion medicines, antacids, inhibition of the proton pump, or those medicines that have stomach protective properties have been indicated. In the cases of gastritis associated to H. Pylori, the treatment is addressed to eliminate the microorganism and for this it resorts to antibiotics. These drugs can cause adverse indirect effect and not always obtain the cure of the disease.

In order to reduce the potential impact in the quality of life of our patients at the Medical Adaptogen Centers we recommend:

•  To practice good eating habits: to ingest moderate and regular meals in fixed schedules, avoiding those foods that are irritating, acid, garlic, chili peppers, fried meals or those that have excess of fat.

•  To limit or avoid alcohol. Alcohol consumption can irritate and erode the stomach's mucosa and cause bleeding and inflammation.

•  No smoking: This habit interferes with the protective lining of the stomach making it more susceptible to gastritis and ulcers. Smoking also increases stomach acids, slows down the recovery of the organ and is one of the main factors of the predisposition to stomach cancer.

•  To exercise regularly and handle stress is important, because the emotional stress increases the stomach's acid production and slows down digestion.

•  Systemic treatment: an effective combination of adaptogenic plants, such as Zingiber officinalis (Ginger), Plant Enzymes, Angelica sinensis (Dong quai), Tabebuia avellanedae (Pau d'Arco), Aloe vera and Hydrastis canadensis, that act on the Energy, biological Intelligence and Organization, three elements intimately related to the health of all living beings, with the purpose of favoring the digestion and reducing the gastric acid secretion, without causing indirect effect.