The topic of gastritis has been around for many years. Upon my research I have discovered that in 1947, at the dawn of gastroscopy, Rudolf Schindler considered gastritis to be one of the most debilitating diseases and predicted that its significance would be discussed for some time to come (Schindler R, 1947). When gastritis was finally recognized as a unique condition, the exploration for its cause has began. In1870, both human and veterinary pathologists have described bacterial infections based on the observation of tiny curved bacteria within gastric mucosa, however, these organisms were dismissed as irrelevant contaminants (M. Kidd and I. M. Modlin, “A century of Helicobacter pylori. Paradigms lost—paradigms regained,” Digestion, vol. 59, no. 1, pp. 1–15, 1998.). It was not until 1984 that the scientists recognized that etiology of a wide variety of gastric diseases including gastritis have a bacterial cause directly associated with Helicobacter pylori. Helicobacter pylori is a bacterium that colonizes human stomach and is an established cause of chronic superficial gastritis, chronic active gastritis, peptic ulcer disease and gastric adenocarcinoma (Dunne, B. E., Cohen, H., & Blaser, M. J, 1997). It is present in a about a half of world's population, however the majority of people infected with H. pylori infection will never have symptoms or will develop gastric problems. While not completely understood, it is believed that H. pylori is spread by ingesting food or water that is polluted by fecal matter. Changes caused by H. pylori to the stomach, include the infection of the protective tissues that line the stomach. Suerbaum and Michetti write that by affected the lining of the stomach, certain enzymes and toxins are released and result in the activation of the immune system (Michetti, P., & Suerbaum, S. 2002) These consequences in change injure the cells of the stomach causing chronic inflammation that leads to gastritis. The diagnosis of presence of H. pylori is done using different methods, but the most common methods include the blood test, breath test and stool test. Blood test can detect specific antibodies present in response to H. pylori, whereas stool test can detect H. pylori in the stool. According to Suerbaum the breath test involves consuming a specialized solution containing a substance that is broken down by the H. pylori bacterium. These breakdown products can be detected in your breath (Michetti, P., & Suerbaum, S, 2002).
Gastritis has been in my family for quite a while. My mother, brother and I have gastritis and have been directly affected by it. Gastritis is age related, it is found in 24% of the population 20 to 39 years of age and in 82% of the population 60 years of age and older. (Chen, M., Ott, D., Hollins, P., Clark, P., & Gelfan, D, 2001). I am a 32 year old female, and I remember that the symptoms of gastritis have started around my early 20's. The classical symptoms of gastritis nausea, burning pain and sensation of fullness after eating have been my companion for years. Having been ignoring the symptoms and simply treating them with over the counter medications I have never investigated the actual cause of gastritis. Through research, it is also clear that besides the bacterial infection by H. pylori, there are other numerous factors that can lead to or pose a risk of gastritis. The use and overuse of non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, alcohol and stress are directly linked with development of gastritis. The combination of omeprazole, amoxicillin, and clarithromycin is a common regimen against Helicobacter pylori but several recent studies have shown that smoking, high acidity, and the degree of gastritis are associated with H. pylori eradication failure (Kamada, T., Haruma, K., Komoto, K., Mihara, M., Yoshihara, M., Sumii, Kawamura, Y, 1999).. The internet is full of conventional treatment for gastritis, but looking at various websites for alternative treatments, one seems to be intriguing and interesting. One of the websites strongly suggests that rather than popping a pill one can eradicate the symptoms of gastritis permanently. For example, the nutrient in broccoli called sulphoraphane has been successful in killing H. pylori in the stomach, even to astonishment the H. pylori that have been resistant to antibiotics. Furthermore, the article also states that eating broccoli several times a week is recommended for everyone (Cooley , J 2013). Other foods that can ease the digestive symptoms and heal the stomach include ginger, apple cider vinegar, oregano, carrot juice and green tea. Everything can be in vain if you do not follow a strict diet, prevention here is the key. The recommendation is to avoid the culprits such as dairy, soy, grains, potatoes, processed food, sodas and coffee drinks.
The textbook has mentioned the traditional approach to diagnosis and treatment of gastritis but it has not mentioned the classification that is used to describe the different types of gastritis that can be presented within the patient population. According to Southern Medical Journal the classification of gastritis can be divided into acute or chronic forms, and chronic types can be divided into non-atrophic, atrophic and special types that include chemical, radiation, lymphocytic, noninfectious and others (Chen, M., Ott, D., Hollins, P., Clark, P., & Gelfan, D. 2001). If we take in consideration the radiologic evaluation and diagnosis of gastritis, the current studies suggest that radiologic signs of the diagnosis of gastritis have been non-specific and often conflicting (article printed).
Prevention approach to the treatment of gastritis is directly linked to the compliance of the patient. Compliance with the therapy is the most vital factor when trying to eradicate the H. pylori infection. Several obstacles exist and include the complexity and the duration of the treatment. Compliance is also contingent on medication regimes that are simple, safe, tolerable and efficacious, patients and physicians need to be aware of the importance of the bacterium in causing disease (O'Connor, J., Taneike, I., & O'Morain, C, 2009). Adverse side effects that are associated with the treatment of gastritis have shown to decrease the compliance and treatment failure.
The major reason choosing this disorder is directly linked to the ailment that my family had to overcome for many years. This condition, though not life threatening can lead to high degree of discomfort and pose potential problems later in life. With chronic gastritis, and this causes a greater concern, can lead to development of gastric cancer. The problem of gastric cancer does demand significant attention. Knowing that the most frightening clinical consequence of gastritis is its ability to transition to the various grades of dysplasia and eventually to gastric cancer that, sadly, remains significant source of cancer mortality worldwide (Papavassilliou, E. D., & Savva, S, 2008). When trying to select the best treatment center, one would refer to US. News Best Hospitals Website. The database sifts through nearly 5,000 hospitals and results from surveys of more than 9,500 physicians to rank the best centers in 16 adult specialties from cancer to urology. Death rates, patient safety and hospital reputation were a few of the many factors we consider.
When selecting care for a specific condition nowadays, it is very easy to research online databases to come up with the first choice of the provider that would provide best quality care based upon on national benchmarks. The database lists one of the best premier hospitals in the country and allows one to select the best option available when dealing with certain diagnosis, treatment or surgical procedure. When reviewing the available options, the Mayo Clinic came in the number one spot when it comes to gastroenterology and abdominal surgery. Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN is ranked nationally in 15 adult and 9 pediatric specialties. U.S News Specialty Score of 100, very strong results with reputation with the specialists, much better survival rate and patient safety, makes this organization the top choice when it comes to treatment GI associated problems. In today's competitive healthcare market it all comes down to selecting the institution that is capable of solving all of the patient problems, both physical and psychosocial. The Mayo clinic ranks one of the top choices for me when it comes to selecting a provider of choice.
Completing this research on gastritis, underscores the deficiency in the knowledge of the condition and availability of treatments. For the most part, ignoring the condition or using less than tradition methods has been my person choice, but after conducting this careful review, the comprehension of this ailment and possible consequences will make one think about better choices that can lead to better compliance and adherence to healthy lifestyles.

Refrences
A century of Helicobacter pylori. Paradigms lost—paradigms regained. (n.d.). Digestion, 59(1-15).
Chen, M., Ott, D., Hollins, P., Clark, P., & Gelfan, D. (2001.). Gastritis: Classification, Pathology and Radology. Southern Medical Journal, 94(2).
Cooley, J. 4 causes of gastritis that you can treat yourself. . Retrieved from http://www.naturalhealthadvisory.com/daily/natural-health-101/gastritis-diet-healing-the- inside-from-the-outside/
Dunne, B. E., Cohen, H., & Blaser, M. J. (1997). Helicobacter pylori. Clinical Microbiology Review, 10(4), 720-741. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9336670
Kamada, T., Haruma, K., Komoto, K., Mihara, M., Yoshihara, M., Sumii, Kawamura, Y. (1999). Effect of smoking and histological gastritis severity on the rate of h.pylori eradication with omeprazole, amoxicillin, and clarithromycin. Helicobacter, 4, 204-210.
Michetti, P., & Suerbaum, S. (2002). Helicobacter pylori infection. New England Journal of Medicine, 347(15), 1175-1186. Retrieved from http://gastronetz- aachen.de/pdf/helicobacter.pdf
O'Connor, J., Taneike, I., & O'Morain, C. (2009). Improving compliance with helicobacter pylori eradication therapy: When and how? Therapeutic Advances in Gastroenterology, 2(5), 273-279. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3002536/
Papavassilliou, E. D., & Savva, S. (2008). Gastritis and gastric cancer: Time for gastric cancer prevention. Annals of Gastroenterology, 24(1), 218-222. Retrieved from http://www.annalsgastro.gr/index.php/annalsgastro/article/viewFile/696/514
Schindler R. Gastritis. London: William Heinmann (Medical Books), 1947. http://cdn.intechopen.com/pdfs-wm/19872.pdf

Gastritis