Gastritis
Gastritis is an umbrella term referring to a set of conditions whose commonality is the inflammation of the lining of the stomach. This condition is generally caused by consuming too many spicy foods and alcohol. It can also present itself if a person smokes, gets a bacterial infection, or through long-term NSAID use. Gastritis may also develop because of physical trauma or after a surgical procedure and could come from pre-existing medical conditions.
If left untreated, gastritis can potentially lead to various medical complications, including but not necessarily limited to stomach ulcers. In addition, while some may not have any symptoms, the sudden occurrence and acute gastritis cases may result in black, tarry stools. And the persistent bleeding could eventually bring about severe symptoms, such as indigestion, vomiting, nausea, lightheadedness, abdominal pain, and more. Therefore, it’s recommended to drink and eat spicy food in moderation, avoid practices like smoking if possible, and limit—if not avoid—other activities that may cause the condition if possible.
