Autoimmune disease of the gastrointestinal tract. Autoimmune diseases: what are they? How common are autoimmune diseases?

Our body's immune system is a complex network of special organs and cells that protect our body from foreign agents. The core of the immune system is the ability to distinguish “self” from “non-self.” Sometimes a malfunction occurs in the body that prevents it from recognizing the markers of “its own” cells, and antibodies begin to be produced that mistakenly attack certain cells of its own body.

At the same time, regulatory T cells cannot cope with their job of maintaining the functions of the immune system, and their own cells begin to attack. This leads to damage that is known as autoimmune diseases. The type of injury determines which organ or part of the body is affected. More than eighty types of such diseases are known.

How common are autoimmune diseases?

Unfortunately, they are quite widespread. They affect more than 23.5 million people in our country alone, and this is one of the main causes of death and disability. There are rare diseases, but there are also those that affect many people, such as Hashimoto's disease.

To learn how the human immune system works, watch the video:

Who can get sick?

An autoimmune disease can affect anyone. However, there are groups of people at greatest risk:

• Women of childbearing age. Women are more likely than men to suffer from autoimmune diseases that begin during reproductive age.
• Those who have had similar diseases in their family. Some autoimmune diseases are genetic (eg. ). Often different types of autoimmune diseases develop in several members of the same family. Hereditary predisposition plays a role, but other factors can also trigger the disease.
• The presence of certain substances in the environment. Certain situations or harmful environmental influences can cause some autoimmune diseases or worsen existing ones. These include: active sun, chemicals, viral and bacterial infections.
• People of a particular race or ethnicity. For example, type 1 diabetes primarily affects white people. Systemic lupus erythematosus is more severe in African Americans and Hispanics.

What autoimmune diseases affect women and what are their symptoms?

The diseases listed here are more common in women than in men.

Although each case is unique, the most common marker symptoms are weakness, dizziness and low-grade fever. Many autoimmune diseases have transient symptoms that can vary in severity. When symptoms go away for a while, it is called remission. They alternate with unexpected and profound manifestations of symptoms - outbreaks, or exacerbations.

Types of autoimmune diseases and their symptoms

Are Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia Autoimmune Diseases?

What to do with exacerbations (attacks)?

Exacerbations are sudden and severe onset of symptoms. You may notice certain “triggers” - stress, hypothermia, exposure to open sun, which increase the manifestation of symptoms of the disease. By knowing these factors and following a treatment plan, you and your doctor can help prevent or reduce flare-ups. If you feel an attack coming on, call your doctor. Don't try to cope on your own using advice from friends or relatives.

What to do to feel better?

If you have an autoimmune disease, constantly follow a few simple rules, do this every day, and your health will be stable:

• Nutrition should take into account the nature of the disease. Make sure to eat enough fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat or low-fat dairy products and plant proteins. Limit saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, salt and excess sugar. If you follow the principles of a healthy diet, then you will get all the necessary substances from food.
• Exercise regularly and moderately. Talk to your doctor about what kind of physical activity is right for you. A gradual and gentle exercise program works well for people with long-term muscle and joint pain. Some forms of yoga and tai chi may help.
• Get enough rest. Rest allows tissues and joints to recover. Sleep is the best way to rest for the body and brain. If you don't get enough sleep, your stress levels and symptom severity increase. When you're well-rested, you solve your problems more effectively and reduce your risk of illness. Most people need 7 to 9 hours of sleep every day to rest.
• Avoid frequent stress. Stress and anxiety can cause flare-ups of some autoimmune diseases. Therefore, you need to look for ways to optimize your life in order to cope with daily stress and improve your condition. Meditation, self-hypnosis, visualization, and simple relaxation techniques will help relieve stress, reduce pain, and cope with other aspects of your life with illness. You can learn this from tutorials, videos or with the help of an instructor. Join a support group or talk to a psychologist for help reducing stress and managing your illness.

You have the power to reduce pain! Try using these images for 15 minutes, two or three times every day:

1. Turn on your favorite soothing music.
2. Sit in your favorite chair or on the sofa. If you are at work, you can sit back and relax in your chair.
3. Close your eyes.
4. Imagine your pain or discomfort.
5. Imagine something that resists this pain and watch how your pain is “destroyed”.

Which doctor should I contact?

If one or more of the listed symptoms appears, it would be better to consult a general practitioner or family doctor. After examination and initial diagnosis, the patient is referred to a specialized specialist depending on the affected organs and systems. This could be a dermatologist, trichologist, hematologist, rheumatologist, hepatologist, gastroenterologist, endocrinologist, neurologist, gynecologist (for miscarriage). Additional assistance will be provided by a nutritionist, psychologist, and psychotherapist. Consultation with a geneticist is often necessary, especially when planning pregnancy.

Autoimmune diseases arise due to a nonspecific immune response - it begins to attack its own body. Any tissue and organs can be affected, including the gastrointestinal tract. Autoimmune diseases of the gastrointestinal tract are described below.

Chronic atrophic gastritis (type A)

The formation of autoantibodies against components of the cells of the gastric mucosa leads to their functional disorders, atrophy, death and achlorhydria. Autoantibodies against parietal cells are found both in blood serum and in gastric juice OdA, 1db. Normally, a protein synthesized by the parietal cells of the gastric mucosa, called intrinsic factor, binds to vitamin B12, and the resulting complex is transported through the intestinal mucosa. Autoantibodies against intrinsic factor bind to it, block it and prevent the transfer of vitamin B12. This leads to the development of vitamin B12 deficiency anemia.

Chronic atrophic gastritis type A accounts for 3-5% of all forms. It is accompanied by damage to the mucous membrane mainly of the fundus and body of the stomach. The death of the glands of the gastric mucosa occurs, the number of main and parietal cells decreases. Inflammatory infiltrates and fibrosis processes develop.

Chronic atrophic gastritis (type A) is an autoimmune disease associated with autoantibodies against intrinsic Castle factor, as well as against chief and parietal cells of the gastric mucosa.

Symptoms

The disease develops mainly in middle and old age. After eating, there is a feeling of heaviness in the epigastric region and fullness of the stomach. Appetite is reduced. There is diarrhea alternating with constipation. Chronic atrophic gastritis is often combined with vitamin B12-deficiency anemia, type 1 diabetes mellitus, thyroiditis, primary.

Treatment

Replacement therapy is carried out:

1) with secretory gastric insufficiency (gastric juice, hydrochloric acid with pepsin, etc.);

2) with a decrease in the excretory function of the pancreas (cholenzyme, etc.).

Prescribe drugs that enhance reparative processes, etc. Vitamin B12-deficiency anemia is treated. When dysbiosis syndrome develops, probiotics are prescribed.

Celiac disease

The pathology is associated with HLA-DR3 and H1_A-B8 antigens. The breakdown of glutens leads to the formation of gliadins - peptides, which, due to peptidase deficiency, accumulate in the body, causing an allergic and toxic effect on it.

Another type of gastritis, type B (chronic Helicobacter pylori gastritis), is the most common pathology among all types of chronic gastritis, caused by the bacterium Helicobacter pylori. It is the most important ulcer-forming factor.

(gluten enteropathy) - intolerance to gluten proteins of wheat and other grains in the form of chronic immune inflammation of the upper parts of the small intestine, accompanied by villous atrophy, crypt hyperplasia, malabsorption and diarrhea.

In the mucous membrane of the small intestine, the number of cells responsible for the development of humoral and cellular immunity increases: intraepithelial lymphocytes, plasma cells producing IgM, eosinophils and mast cells. Antigliadin antibodies and antireticulin antibodies appear.

The number of T-lymphocytes interacting with gliadin increases. A similar pathogenesis with celiac disease is relevant for another gluten-sensitive disease - familial dermatitis herpetiformis.

Symptoms

There is persistent diarrhea, copious foamy stools, flatulence, weight loss, anorexia and weakness. Dermatitis herpetiformis may develop.

Laboratory diagnostics

Skin tests for gliadin develop after 6-8 hours. Biopsies of the jejunum or duodenum are studied. Antibodies against gliadin are detected in blood serum. Antibodies against tissue transglutaminase are also determined. As a result of impaired permeability of mucous membranes, antibodies against various food antigens may appear.

Treatment

A gluten-free diet is used by excluding products from wheat, rye, barley, and oats from the diet. Corticosteroids and immunosuppressants are used according to indications

Nonspecific ulcerative colitis

- a chronic recurrent inflammatory disease of the colon with ulcerative-destructive changes in its mucous membrane.

Patients develop diarrhea with blood or mucus and round ulcers of the mucosal surface. Infiltration of the lamina propria by eosinophils, lymphocytes, mast cells and neutrophils occurs. The process spreads from the rectum to the proximal intestine. Hyperregeneration leads to the formation of pseudopolyps. The development of toxic megacolon and colon carcinoma is possible, as well as the development of extraintestinal complications - uveitis and arthritis. Nonspecific ulcerative colitis is also associated with IgA autoimmune hepatitis and primary biliary cirrhosis. The mucosa has high levels of IL-5, suggesting Tn2 activity. The autoimmune nature of the disease is supported by the presence of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (A1MCA) and the association with some autoimmune diseases.

Symptoms

Nonspecific ulcerative colitis develops acutely within 1-2 days; patients experience three syndromes of intestinal damage: bowel dysfunction, hemorrhagic pain syndromes. Possible extraintestinal manifestations:

• joint syndrome,
• uveitis,
• iridocyclitis,
• amyloidosis, etc.

With the gradual development of the disease, mainly only rectal bleeding is observed.

Laboratory diagnostics. The severity of the manifestations of ulcerative colitis is accompanied by an increase in ESR (with rare leukocytosis).

Treatment. In case of acute onset of the disease, aminosalicylates are also prescribed.

Crohn's disease (granulomatous colitis)

This is a chronic granulomatous segmental inflammation of the digestive tract in the form of terminal ileitis or regional enterocolitis

The inflammatory process develops segmentally: the affected segments of the intestine alternate with unaffected areas (“kangaroo jumping”). More often, the terminal ileum is involved in the process (terminal ileitis). Less commonly, the small and large intestines are damaged simultaneously. Inflammation affects all layers of the intestinal wall. Lymphocytic granulomas, granulomas including giant and epithelioid cells, abscesses and deep penetrating ulcers are formed in the thickness of the wall, which is why the mucous membrane takes on the appearance of a “cobblestone street”. Stenosis and inflammatory conglomerates are formed. The intestine becomes deformed, taking on the appearance of a “garden hose”. Possible formation of intestinal fistulas.

The incidence of rectal carcinoma and amyloidosis is increasing. Crohn's disease is associated with the HLA-DR1 and -DQw5 antigens. The level of IL-1 2 increases on the intestinal mucosa. This cytokine, stimulated by bacteria, promotes the differentiation of naïve TH1 T-lymphocytes. Accordingly, the activity of TH1 in the mucous membrane of these patients is high, which determines the concentration of IFN-γ, TNF-α and IL-2. There is a high level of IgG2, which effectively recognizes carbohydrate antigens of bacteria.

Symptoms

With the acute onset of the disease, symptoms of regional enteritis develop in the form of sharp pain in the right iliac region and fever. Possible symptoms of acute appendicitis.

More often, a gradual increase in disorders is observed: cramping pain in the abdomen, periodically unstable stools and other functional disorders. At the height of the disease, persistent diarrhea develops, and sometimes -. Long-term remission is possible. Toxic-allergic complications are more often observed when the process is localized in the colon.

Laboratory diagnostics

Crohn's disease is confirmed by the presence in the patient's blood serum of antibodies to food allergens and to opportunistic intestinal commensal bacteria. Antibodies against the surface structures of intestinal epithelial cells may also appear.

Treatment

In case of exacerbation, sulfasalazine, aminosalicylates (, olsalazine) and/or corticosteroids are prescribed. During remission, patients can receive a combination of azathioprine, methotrexate and cyclosporine A. Surgical intervention is possible (at the discretion of the attending physician).

Intestinal diseases make up the lion's share of all diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. have already been described by us earlier. In this article we will talk about diagnostic methods, treatment principles and measures to prevent the occurrence of intestinal diseases.

Diagnosis and differential diagnosis

In the diagnosis of intestinal diseases, an important role is given to an objective examination of the patient by a doctor. After the doctor listens to the patient’s complaints, the history of his illness and life, the patient will be asked to undress to the waist and the abdomen will be examined: it may be retracted (during fasting, intestinal spasms), increased in size (during bloating, tumors, ascites) , a protrusion may be detected in one of the areas of the abdomen, which is a sign of a hernia or tumor in the abdominal cavity. The main method for diagnosing intestinal diseases is palpation. To conduct this study, the patient will be asked to lie on the couch on his back and bend his knees slightly - it is in this position that the examination will be as informative as possible. When palpating, the doctor pays attention to:

• pain in one or another part of the abdomen (the patient at the moment must be as attentive and extremely honest as possible, since the future diagnosis depends on his reaction to palpation (“does it hurt or not?”));
• muscle tension (indicates a pathological process in the underlying organ or the presence of a tumor);
• location and characteristics (size, density, elasticity, pain) of the abdominal organs.

Palpation in the projection of the inflamed intestine is painful to varying degrees; the intestine is palpated as a compacted, often rumbling, roller. Some intestinal diseases can be diagnosed by assessing the symptoms of peritoneal tension - for example, a positive Shchetkin-Blumberg sign (sharp abdominal pain when the palpating hand is immediately removed from the abdominal wall after pressing) indicates an inflammatory process in the underlying organ involving the adjacent peritoneum. In particular, a positive Shchetkin-Blumberg sign upon palpation in the right iliac region is a diagnostic criterion for acute appendicitis. When percussing (tapping) the anterior abdominal wall, the doctor will evaluate the nature of the sound, which can also be a sign of problems in the intestines (for example, flatulence). A stool analysis can tell a lot about the state of the intestines, and all its characteristics matter - consistency, color, smell, the presence of all kinds of impurities in it:

• mushy, unformed stools, especially liquid stools like water, mean diarrhea;
• too dense, hard feces, sometimes in the form of separate balls - constipation;
• dark, especially black color of stool indicates bleeding from the upper digestive tract (for example, with duodenal ulcer);
• unchanged blood in the stool is a sign of bleeding from the vessels of the colon (for example, with UC - ulcerative colitis);
• whitish-gray, clay-colored feces are a sign of obstructive jaundice, which occurs due to obstruction (clogging) of the bile ducts by something, for example, a tumor of the head of the pancreas or a protrusion of the wall (diverticulum) of the duodenum;
• a sharp rotten smell of feces is a sign of active rotting processes in the intestines;
• foamy stools with a sour odor indicate fermentation processes in this organ;
• whitish feces with a greasy sheen is a sign of fatty dyspepsia, which occurs as a result of the rapid passage of food through the small intestine (for example, as a result of resection (removal) of part of it);
• undigested food remains may be a sign of enzyme deficiency and impaired absorption in the intestine.

After assessing the macroscopic characteristics of the stool, it is examined under a microscope for the purpose of a more detailed analysis. In order for the stool examination to be as informative as possible, the patient needs to know the technique for correctly collecting this material:

• stool for analysis must be fresh;
• before collecting the analysis, you must urinate, then urinate in a clean container, while making sure that no menstrual blood gets into the material for the study;
• Using a clean spatula, transfer the feces into a special jar for analysis;
• For bacteriological examination, feces are sent in a sterile container, warm.

Of great importance in the diagnosis of certain intestinal diseases is an X-ray examination, during which the motor function of the organ, the expansion or narrowing of its lumen up to obstruction, the presence of tumors and even certain types of helminths (usually roundworms) are determined. An important method for diagnosing diseases of the colon is the method of its endoscopic examination - colonoscopy, of the lower intestines (sigmoid and rectum) - sigmoidoscopy.

Principles of treatment of intestinal diseases

The main component of non-drug treatment of intestinal diseases is proper nutrition - a therapeutic diet. Nutrition most often has no effect on inflammation, but it is not difficult to reduce certain symptoms that are unpleasant for the patient by following a diet. For inflammatory bowel diseases, dairy products should be excluded from the diet and the amount of fiber consumed should be reduced. It is worth noting that complete fasting for several days - a fasting break - will help speed up the healing of ulcers of the mucous membrane. Preventing stressful situations and reacting to stimuli as calmly as possible is the second important point in the treatment of intestinal diseases, since a direct connection has been proven between psycho-emotional stress and the degree of inflammatory activity in the intestinal mucosa. The main goal of drug treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases is anti-inflammatory therapy, which includes the following groups of drugs:

• aminosalicylates (Sulfasalazine, Mesalazine, Pentasalazine - prescribed both for exacerbations and to maintain remission of inflammatory bowel diseases, can be prescribed both orally and rectally, their daily dose is determined by the severity of the disease);
• steroid hormones (Prednisolone, Methylprednisolone, Budesonide – are prescribed for acute, severe and moderate forms of intestinal diseases with the presence of extraintestinal complications, with the third degree of activity of the inflammatory process in the intestinal mucosa, in the absence of effect from other previously used treatment methods; the dosage of the drug depends on the patient’s body weight and the severity of his disease; in response to drugs of this group, the body can react by forming the so-called hormonal dependence - a situation when, against the background of hormonal treatment, a positive effect is first observed, and when the dosage is reduced or the drug is discontinued, the inflammatory process develops with renewed vigor );
• immunosuppressants (Azathioprine, Methotrexate, Cyclosporine - very serious drugs, prescribed only if there is no effect from previous therapy and in case of hormonal dependence; taken long-term, effectiveness from them should be expected only by the end of the 3rd month of treatment);
• Since microorganisms often play a role in the development of intestinal diseases, antibacterial therapy (Metronidazole, Ciprofloxacin) is an important aspect of treatment.

To alleviate the patient’s condition and correct certain disorders associated with intestinal disease, symptomatic therapy is prescribed:

• in order to correct metabolic disorders, protein preparations are administered: serum albumin, plasma, protein, amino acid solutions;
• to improve microcirculation processes, infusions of Reopoliglucin and Hemodez are prescribed in standard dosages;
• immunomodulators (Timalin, Levamisole, Ribomunil) can be used to correct immunological disorders;
• as a result of diarrhea, as well as as a result of taking antibacterial drugs, it can occur - in this case, probiotics are prescribed (Lactofiltrum, Bifi-form);
• for severe abdominal pain - antispasmodics (Drotaverine, Platiphylline, Papaverine);
• in the case of a stress component as a causative factor in the development of intestinal diseases, sedatives and psychotropic drugs are prescribed;
• for constipation - lactulose preparations, as well as drugs that stimulate intestinal motility (for example, Mosid);
• in case of severe symptoms of diarrhea - massive infusion therapy (saline, glucose solution, Reopoliglyukin, Disol, Trisol) and antidiarrheal drugs (Loperamide);
• in cases of hypovitaminosis and anemia, which often accompany chronic intestinal diseases, iron supplements (Tardiferon, Actiferrin) orally for a period of 3 months with monitoring of blood tests every other month, vitamin therapy;
• for chronic inflammatory processes in the remission phase, physiotherapy is indicated - therapeutic mud, clay, paraffin therapy, physical therapy;
• in the case of severe inflammatory processes accompanied by the formation of mucosal ulcers and complications (bleeding, intestinal perforation) that cannot be treated, as well as intestinal obstruction, surgical treatment is carried out - resection (removal) of a segment of the intestine;
• for intestinal cancer – chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Prevention

Measures to prevent the development of intestinal diseases are very simple and are actually known to many. This:

• healthy diet (rational, balanced, following a regimen and eating only high-quality products);
• healthy lifestyle (alternating work and rest schedules, regular physical activity);
• prevention of stressful situations and calm reaction to external stimuli;
• preventing constipation;
• timely treatment of diseases of the digestive system.

Large molecules such as bacteria, undigested proteins, undigested sugars that were previously unable to penetrate the intestines are now able to pass through. These antigens leak into the bloodstream and are flagged as foreign by the immune system. Antibodies produced by the immune system against these antigens create an inflammatory response in the body's tissues and organs.

Leaky Gut and Autoimmune Diseases

The following conditions and diseases have been found to be frequently associated with leaky gut syndrome:

• Diabetes
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis
• Systemic lupus erythematosus
• Kidney diseases
• Multiple sclerosis
• Eczema
• Chronic fatigue syndrome
• Heart failure

Conclusion

If you suffer from autoimmune diseases, chronic illnesses, frequent infections, or have a weak immune system, you may have leaky gut syndrome, which can cause you to experience digestive problems. Therefore, you should focus on the intestines. Since 80% of the immune system is located in the gut, good gut health is a priority. Once the gut is healed, the rest of the body can heal as well.

Among diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, autoimmune diseases, including autoimmune gastritis, occupy a special place. Diagnosis and treatment of the disease often faces many difficulties, since this type of gastritis is not provoked by nutrition, like others. The provocateur of the disease is antibodies that are produced by the immune system to attack the lining epithelium of the stomach.

General information

Autoimmune gastritis is an atrophic inflammation of the deep layers of the gastric mucosa, which is caused by autoimmune processes that occur in the patient’s body. This is the rarest type of gastritis. It occurs when the immune system recognizes cells of the parietal epithelium as pathogenic, to which antibodies are produced that attack the mucous membrane. This leads to increased secretion of hydrochloric acid in the stomach. The disease is more typical for the bottom and body of the organ, which is due to the large amount of lining epithelium in these areas.

It is believed that predisposition to the disease is genetically determined, and gastritis can also be triggered by diet, as with other types of disease.

Forms of the disease

Most often, the disease develops immediately into a chronic form and is called type A gastritis in the classification of chronic gastritis, but sometimes the disease develops as an atrophic disease.

Atrophic

Autoimmune atrophic gastritis is inflammation of the mucous membrane in the stomach, which is caused by the fact that there are not enough glands in it to secrete substances necessary for digestion (secretory insufficiency) and problems with motility. When the immune system destroys many parietal cells, their complete restoration is impossible, which often becomes the cause of stomach cancer.

Chronic

Chronic autoimmune gastritis is more common than atrophic gastritis. It is characterized by the fact that relapses often occur, the absorption of nutrients in the organ is disrupted, and therefore persistent vitamin deficiency occurs. This affects the patient’s appearance (poor vision, skin, nails, hair loss, etc.). Chronic gastritis is localized in a specific area of ​​the organ without affecting others. The disease has a dangerously high risk of complications.

How is it developing?

The development of an autoimmune process can be triggered by mechanical trauma to the gastric mucosa, which can be provoked by coarse food particles, its chemical irritating properties, and Helicobacter. If immunoglobulin type A is produced in insufficient quantities and “inadequate” antibodies are produced, instead of promoting healing of the mucous membranes, the immune system attacks the parietal cells.

At this time, antibodies to Castle factor are produced (an element of the stomach’s protective mechanism against infections), which causes problems with the absorption of vitamin B12. Such antibodies have a destructive effect on the mucous membrane of the organ (attack the glands), which over time leads to enzyme deficiency, since the glands that produce them are inhibited and atrophy. This leads to disruption of the digestion process and anemia. Autoimmune processes develop in the body and bottom of the stomach. It has not yet been precisely established whether mucosal atrophy is caused by the production of aggressive antibodies or vice versa.

Symptoms of autoimmune gastritis

Symptoms of autoimmune gastritis can be divided into 2 categories:

• initial;
• at the acute stage.

Initially, the symptoms of the disease are associated with problems in the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, then external signs of pathological processes appear.

Initial stage

Initially, the following symptoms of gastritis are noted:

• heartburn;
• unpleasant taste in the mouth;
• frequent belching with a bad odor;
• discomfort in the epigastrium after a meal;
• nausea;
• the intestines growl;
• flatulence;
• gagging;
• constipation gives way to diarrhea;
• my stomach hurts;
• distension in the stomach area.

With a long course of the disease, external signs appear.

Stages of exacerbation

Autoimmune gastritis with long-term development can manifest itself as follows:

• the desire to eat disappears;
• weight loss;
• the appearance of plaque on the tongue;
• sleep problems;
• prostration;
• headache;
• hyperhidrosis, which is associated with food intake;
• mood swings;
• dark spots;
• avitaminosis;
• dizzy;
• low pressure;
• problems with the cardiovascular system;
• bad nails, hair, teeth;
• severe pallor, etc.

Diagnostics

A specialist can easily diagnose gastritis based on symptoms, but autoimmunity of the disease is more difficult to identify, so a detailed examination of the stomach is necessary. Examinations:

• fibrogastroduodenoscopy;
• biopsy with histological analysis of the biopath;
• probing, which will help identify Helicobacter and the level of acid in the organ;
• immunological analysis;
• blood serum test for gastrin levels;
• general blood analysis;
• ultrasound examination of the abdomen.

The most important step in determining the autoimmunity of gastritis is fibrogastroduodenoscopy with biopsy.

Treatment and diet

Therapy for the disease is prescribed only after a final diagnosis has been made. Treatment of autoimmune gastritis, like any type of disease, is complex. Goals:

• elimination of exacerbation;
• relieving inflammation;
• relief of symptoms;
• improving the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.

Principles:

• dietary nutrition;
• use of pharmaceuticals;
• balneotherapy;
• reflexology.

It is completely impossible to cure this form of the disease, since the disease has not been fully studied, especially in the case of complete atrophy of the mucosa. Therefore, it is important to start therapy before this happens. If complete destruction has occurred, the patient is recommended drugs that are included in replacement therapy; the patient takes medicinal analogues of enzymes (gastric juice, pepsin, etc.), for example, Abomin, Pepsidil, etc.

If the disease causes anemia, the patient needs to take a course of vitamin B12 and folic acid. If Helicobacter group bacteria are found in the stomach, you need to undergo treatment with antibacterial agents. But the use of antibiotics is not always necessary. Only a doctor can determine whether Helicobacter causes additional harm or not. The patient may also be prescribed the following medications:

• antispasmodics for pain relief (“No-Shpa”, “Papaverine”, “Drotaverine”);
• medications that improve peristalsis (“Cerucal”, “Metacin”);
• medications that help normalize the mucous membranes of the organ (Bismuth preparations);
• vitamin and mineral complexes or vitamins B12, folic acid.

Such maintenance therapy is often necessary throughout the patient's life. Treatment for each specific patient is selected individually, which depends on the degree and location of mucosal atrophy. Only after making an accurate diagnosis, the doctor determines how to treat the patient.

Dietary nutrition is an important part of the treatment of gastritis, but it should be understood that it does not cure the disease, but helps reduce the load on the gastrointestinal tract by eliminating junk food and irritants. In the countries of the former USSR, the Pevzner diet is recommended. Diet principles:

• fractional meals (small portions, weighing 200 g);
• eating schedule (you need to eat at the same time 5-6 times a day);
• food should be warm (not cold or hot);
• exclude rough, fatty, fried, spicy, salty, smoked foods from the diet;
• alcoholic drinks are prohibited;
• food needs to be steamed or boiled, sometimes you can bake it in the oven;
• It is better to grind food to the consistency of puree;
• caffeine-containing drinks will harm the stomach (coffee, tea);
• You should not eat sweets and chocolate.

Sometimes traditional medicine is used as an additional treatment. They can be taken only after consultation with your doctor. Fennel, thyme, plantain, and mint are considered useful plants for gastritis. Sea buckthorn oil has healing properties. For autoimmune gastritis, it is recommended to stop smoking, since tobacco smoke irritates the gastric mucosa.

DO YOU STILL THINK THAT IT IS HARD TO CURE YOUR STOMACH?

Judging by the fact that you are now reading these lines, victory in the fight against diseases of the gastrointestinal tract is not yet on your side...

Have you already thought about surgery? This is understandable, because the stomach is a very important organ, and its proper functioning is the key to health and well-being. Frequent abdominal pain, heartburn, bloating, belching, nausea, bowel movements... All these symptoms are familiar to you firsthand.

But perhaps it would be more correct to treat not the effect, but the cause? We recommend reading the story of Galina Savina, how she cured her stomach...