The doctor spoke about the effect of latent gastritis on performance

Gastritis manifests itself as acute inflammation, in which there is pain, heartburn, belching. But there are also "dumb" forms of this disease that do not manifest themselves clearly. Vera Seryozhina, an expert doctor at the LabQuest medical company, told Izvestia on December 1 about how gastritis affects performance and what influences the occurrence of gastritis.

We are talking about chronic inflammation caused by Helicobacter pylori, in which the gastric mucosa gradually atrophies. The specialist noted that with this form of the disease, acidity decreases, enzymes are poorly secreted, there may be no pain, but food is not digested efficiently enough. As a result, the body lacks trace elements, proteins and vitamins necessary for the normal functioning of internal organs and the nervous system.

"Sources of Helicobacter infection, especially in work groups, are common utensils: mugs, spoons, forks that do not undergo heat treatment in a dishwasher. Helicobacter persists on the surfaces of cutlery — and so you can get infected from colleagues. In this case, you need to abandon the common dishes and use an individual set or disposable cutlery. Now, in many cafes, such kits are provided on request, and this is justified," Seryozhina explained.

She recommended using individual cutlery or, if possible, disposable ones. Additional sources of risk include cockroaches, which can carry microbes, as well as household contact with animals, in particular with cats, which can also be carriers of the bacterium.

In addition, atrophy of the gastric mucosa may be associated not only with infection, but also with autoimmune processes. Autoimmune gastritis is often accompanied by diabetes mellitus, autoimmune thyroiditis and a number of other diseases. In such cases, autoantibodies should be checked. If neurological manifestations appear against the background of decreased performance, for example, symptoms of polyneuropathy, this may indicate a deficiency of B vitamins due to impaired absorption. Seryozhina emphasized that with a family history of neurological diseases, it is worth paying attention to possible autoimmune gastritis.

"The first analysis that allows us to understand if there is inflammation without gastroscopy is a gastropanel. It is recommended for children, the elderly, and those who have contraindications to gastroscopy. The analysis includes enzymes and hormones of the stomach and antibodies to Helicobacter. The result allows you to assess the condition of the gastric mucosa and determine the possible cause of the changes. If the antibodies to Helicobacter are positive, then the cause is most likely an infection. If the result is negative for antibodies, the possible cause is an autoimmune process," the doctor said.

In any case, according to the specialist, it is necessary to consult a gastroenterologist and undergo the prescribed treatment. Without therapy, more serious symptoms will eventually be added to decreased performance — anemia, vitamin B deficiency, hypothyroidism, and sleep disorders. In addition to the gastropanel, it is recommended that the examination include a general blood test, as well as a profile of ferritin, reticulocytes, and vitamins B9 and B12.

On August 26, Seryozhina explained the reasons for drowsiness after eating. According to her, this is a normal condition that is associated with the production of endorphins, especially if the food is pleasant and loved. With a balanced diet, after about an hour and a half, this condition passes and the mood improves. This means that the body has adapted and the digestive process is going well.

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