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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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How To Treat For The Condition Of Atrophic Gastritis?

I have pernicious anemia and it has been hard on my stomach and I now have atrophic gastritis. Is there a diet that would help my stomach? I have been told there is nothing that can be done to help the stomach. I go in every 6 months for a EGD Thank you Cathy Frederick
Wed, 2 Nov 2016
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Gastroenterologist,  's  Response
Dear Cathy Frederick,

Before I answer your question, I'd like to take some time explaining your condition to you.

Pernicious anemia is a condition in which our bodys immune system find cells of our stomach lining as being hostile, and hence the immune system generates a response to destroy them. As a result, the cells that line the stomach wall are destroyed, and the production of important substances such as something known as intrinsic factor is lost.
Now what intrinsic factor actually does is, it binds with vitamin B12, and carries it down to our gut for absorption. Having lost the intrinsic factor, we lose the ability to absorb that B12. And without B12, the production of blood is affected, and the result is, anemia...known as pernicious anemia.

The loss of the stomach lining results in a flattened look of the stomach wall. This is called atrophy. The immune response generates inflammation that destroys the stomach lining, and this inflammation is known as gastritis. Put together, you get atrophic gastritis.

So, in short the atrophic gastritis is a part of the pernicious anemia, and unfortunately, there is no diet that could help with the gastritis associated with pernicious anemia. I do suggest, though, you talk with your physician about the need for such frequent endoscopies.
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How To Treat For The Condition Of Atrophic Gastritis?

Dear Cathy Frederick, Before I answer your question, I d like to take some time explaining your condition to you. Pernicious anemia is a condition in which our bodys immune system find cells of our stomach lining as being hostile, and hence the immune system generates a response to destroy them. As a result, the cells that line the stomach wall are destroyed, and the production of important substances such as something known as intrinsic factor is lost. Now what intrinsic factor actually does is, it binds with vitamin B12, and carries it down to our gut for absorption. Having lost the intrinsic factor, we lose the ability to absorb that B12. And without B12, the production of blood is affected, and the result is, anemia...known as pernicious anemia. The loss of the stomach lining results in a flattened look of the stomach wall. This is called atrophy. The immune response generates inflammation that destroys the stomach lining, and this inflammation is known as gastritis. Put together, you get atrophic gastritis. So, in short the atrophic gastritis is a part of the pernicious anemia, and unfortunately, there is no diet that could help with the gastritis associated with pernicious anemia. I do suggest, though, you talk with your physician about the need for such frequent endoscopies.