The doctor refuted popular myths about gastritis

There is no direct link between chronic gastritis and stomach cancer. Olga Tarasova, Candidate of Medical Sciences, Associate Professor of the Department of Hospital Pediatrics No. 2 at the Institute of Motherhood and Childhood at Pirogov University, said this on Monday, March 23.

"Chronic gastritis caused by the bacterium Helicobacter pylori can lead to atrophic gastritis, a condition in which mucosal cells become thinner and stop working normally. Against the background of atrophy, intestinal metaplasia may occur, when stomach cells become similar to intestinal cells, and dysplasia, that is, precancerous cell changes," she said in an interview with Lenta.Ru .

The doctor clarified that the path from gastritis to cancer takes several decades. In addition, after the destruction of the helicobacter bacterium, the risk of developing a malignant neoplasm is almost zero, Tarasova emphasized.

The specialist also refuted the myth that gastritis is always bacterial in nature. In most cases, this is true, she noted, but the disease can also occur due to autoimmune processes, radiation, chemotherapy, bile discharge from the intestine into the stomach, alcohol consumption, smoking, various infections and taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin and ibuprofen, the doctor concluded.

On March 21, Anna Popova, gastroenterologist at the SOVA clinic, Candidate of Medical Sciences, said that doctors recommend patients suffering from gastritis to switch to a rational diet, but do not prescribe a strict diet. 360.ru .

Earlier, on March 17, gastroenterologist and nutritionist Olga Vidyakina warned that excessive consumption of spicy foods can increase the risk of developing stomach cancer due to the capsaicin content in pepper, RT reports.

Daniil Shchepelyaev, an immunologist at the Scandinavian Health Center, told Izvestia on February 28 how to strengthen the immune system in the off-season. According to him, regular sleep, sufficient protein, a varied diet of fruits and vegetables, exercise and stress control work more effectively in the long term.

All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.