Acute Gastritis vs. Chronic Gastritis: Understanding the Key Differences

When diagnosing gastritis, one of the main considerations is whether the condition is acute or chronic. Acute gastritis typically presents with sudden and severe symptoms such as vomiting blood or passing black stools, often linked to a specific triggering event. For example, excessive alcohol consumption followed by intense vomiting can lead to stress-induced ulcers or mucosal inflammation. Similarly, major trauma like extensive burns, serious injuries from car accidents, or crush injuries during earthquakes can put the body in a prolonged state of stress, resulting in acute erosive hemorrhagic gastritis.

On the other hand, chronic gastritis develops gradually and may not show obvious symptoms at first. It can be diagnosed through an endoscopic examination where the gastric mucosa appears red and white with possible erosion or bleeding spots, indicating chronic superficial gastritis—also known as chronic non-atrophic gastritis. Under microscopic observation, if the mucosa appears predominantly white, with visible vascular proliferation and reduced glandular structures, it may be classified as chronic atrophic gastritis.

While acute gastritis is often tied to specific external triggers, chronic gastritis can affect anyone and may persist for years without noticeable symptoms. Accurate diagnosis usually requires medical imaging and histological analysis to determine the type and severity of the condition. Understanding these differences helps guide treatment decisions and improve long-term digestive health.