Hypertrophic gastritis was first described in1888 by the French scientist P. Menetrier. This special form of chronic gastritis is characterized by deep hypertrophy of the gastric mucosa, in which a large number of adenomas and cysts are formed. The possible causes of this form of gastritis have not yet been sufficiently studied. However, one main cause can be identified - chronic intoxication (alcohol, lead, mercury), leading to a change in the structure of the gastric mucosa. Secondary possible causes are the causes characteristic of ordinary gastritis - eating poor-quality foods (smoked, fried, fatty, salty, etc.), lack of vitamins and minerals, smoking, previous infectious diseases (typhoid fever, viral hepatitis, dysentery), metabolic disorders. Dieting as a modern fad can also cause this disease. The age category of patients with this chronic hypertrophic gastritis is 30-50 years. The disease is acute, but develops gradually.

Symptoms of hypertrophic gastritis

The clinical symptoms of this form of gastritis were studied back in 1955 by S. Faiber. The most common symptoms are:

• aching pain in the epigastric region, accompanied by a weight in the abdomen;
• vomiting and diarrhea;
• rarely there are gastric bleeding;
• weight loss up to 10-20 kg;
• a decreased appetite, sometimes reaching anorexia;
• peripheral edema associated with a decreased protein content in the blood.

Clinical symptoms detected in the laboratory may be the following:

lower hemoglobin and erythrocytes, which is associated with hidden or apparent blood loss; the platelets and ESR are within normal limits;

in rare cases, neutrophilic leukocytosis is possible;

a biochemical blood test reveals a lower content of albumins, which is also associated with protein loss.

Research and treatment

Research conducted for diagnosishypertrophic gastritis, are of great importance for the doctor, because they allow to prescribe the optimal treatment. As is known, correctly selected treatment is the key to success. Firstly, this is an X-ray examination, with the help of which it is possible to detect changes inherent in this form of gastritis. As a rule, during this procedure the doctor can see thickened and edematous folds of the gastric mucosa. Secondly, this is an endoscopic examination. During this procedure the doctor detects in addition to thickened folds the presence of small wounds and erosions. A biopsy in this case will not be reliable, because when taking material, only superficial cells get into the analyzed sample, while the affected cells are located deeper. However, the appointment of a biopsy allows to exclude malignant tumors. If hypertrophic gastritis has mild symptoms, then it should be treated with conservative therapy. It implies the following:

• a diet with high protein content,
• it is possible to prescribe anticholinergic drugs that reduce this loss of protein,
• the use of enveloping, astringent and substitute drugs.

If the symptoms of the disease are severe, i.e.i.e. the disease is severe - there is severe pain, extensive swelling, repeated gastric bleeding, then surgical treatment is used, the so-called complete or partial gastrectomy. In cases where it is impossible to completely exclude the possibility of a tumor-like lesion, only surgical treatment is used. After surgery, the best treatment is a strict diet excluding alcohol, fatty, salty, smoked foods. Patients receiving conservative treatment with a diagnosis of "hypertrophic gastritis" must be registered with a dispensary. Such patients must undergo X-ray and endoscopic examinations at least 2 times a year to monitor the dynamics of hypertrophic gastritis.

Comments

comments