Normally the stomach lining is pink like the inside of your mouth. Note the red inflamed appearance here. When the stomach lining becomes inflamed, the term is gastritis. It has nothing to do with gas. Common causes of gastritis are tobacco, excessive alcohol, and excessive caffeine. Emotional stress may play some role. Many patients develop gastritis in response to antiinflamatory drugs like apririn and other arthritis drugs. But a major cause of gastritis is a infection of the stomach lining with the "ulcer bacteria" - Helicobacter pylori. Click here for more information.

Text & Images Courtesy of Three Rivers Endoscopy Center
© Dr. Robert Fusco, Three Rivers Endoscopy Center, All Rights Reserved