Stomach Inflammation: Causes, Risks, and What You Can Do

When your stomach inflammation, a condition where the stomach lining becomes irritated or swollen, often called gastritis. Also known as gastritis, it’s not just a bad stomach ache—it’s your body signaling something’s off inside. This isn’t rare. Millions deal with it every year, often without knowing why. It can be mild and go away on its own, or it can creep up slowly, making every meal a chore. You might feel burning, bloating, nausea, or even vomiting. Sometimes, you just feel "off"—and no one tells you that’s your stomach lining screaming for help.

What causes it? The usual suspects: too many NSAIDs, common painkillers like ibuprofen and aspirin that wear down the stomach’s protective layer over time. Or proton pump inhibitors, meds meant to reduce acid but sometimes used long-term without monitoring, which can backfire. Then there’s H. pylori, a bacteria many don’t even know lives in their gut. Stress, alcohol, spicy foods—yes, they can make it worse, but they’re rarely the root cause. The real issue? Your stomach’s natural defenses are being worn down, and no one’s telling you how to rebuild them.

Here’s what most guides miss: treating stomach inflammation isn’t about avoiding spicy food. It’s about understanding what’s actually damaging your lining—and stopping it. That means looking at your meds, even the ones you think are harmless. It means asking your doctor if your acid reducer is still needed after six months. It means knowing when a simple blood test for H. pylori could save you months of discomfort. And it means realizing that if you’ve been taking ibuprofen daily for your back pain, you’re not just managing pain—you’re risking damage you can’t see.

The posts below don’t just list treatments. They show you how to talk to your provider about your OTC meds, how to spot hidden risks in your prescription routine, and how to avoid drug interactions that make stomach inflammation worse. You’ll find real advice on when to push back on a prescription, how to track side effects, and what alternatives actually work without wrecking your gut. No fluff. No hype. Just what you need to protect your stomach—before it’s too late.