Managing Chronic Gastritis with Erosion

Chronic gastritis accompanied by erosion requires a clear diagnosis to determine the nature of the erosion. During a gastroscopy, biopsies should be taken to assess whether the erosion is benign or malignant. If malignancy is detected, appropriate surgical intervention is necessary. However, if the condition is diagnosed as chronic gastritis with benign erosion, treatment should focus on several key areas, outlined below:

1. Eliminate Underlying Causes

One of the first steps in treating chronic gastritis with erosion is identifying and removing any contributing factors. For example, if the patient is taking medications like aspirin that can irritate the stomach lining, these should be discontinued or replaced with safer alternatives. In some cases, doctors may prescribe mucosal protective agents alongside such drugs. Commonly used medications include proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) like omeprazole or pantoprazole. Additionally, long-term alcohol consumption should be stopped to prevent further damage.

2. Protect the Gastric Mucosa

Once the cause has been addressed, protecting the gastric mucosa becomes essential. This typically involves using mucosal protectants such as teprenone or rebamipide. These medications help strengthen the stomach lining and promote healing of the eroded tissue.

3. Improve Digestive Function

Supporting digestive health can also aid in the recovery process. Doctors may recommend prokinetic agents like mosapride or domperidone to improve gastric motility. In addition, certain traditional herbal remedies such as Jianwei Xiaoshi Pian (aids digestion) or Baohe Wan may be used to enhance digestion and relieve symptoms.

4. Acid Suppression Therapy

Reducing gastric acid is a critical part of the treatment plan. Histamine H2-receptor antagonists such as famotidine or ranitidine are often prescribed for this purpose. Alternatively, proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), including omeprazole, rabeprazole, and pantoprazole, are highly effective at reducing acid secretion and promoting the healing of gastric erosions.

By following a comprehensive treatment strategy tailored to each individual, patients suffering from chronic gastritis with erosion can experience significant improvement in symptoms and overall gastrointestinal health.