Cannot Live Without Gastritis Medication? Chronic Gastritis May Be Caused by Habits, Not Just Disease

Chronic gastritis refers to a condition where inflammation continuously occurs in the gastric mucosa, causing tissue damage. It is not an issue to dismiss lightly as simple heartburn; caution is necessary because it can progress over the long term to atrophic gastritis or intestinal metaplasia. Modern medicine identifies Helicobacter pylori infection, long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and bile reflux as major causes of chronic gastritis. Yet alongside all these factors, we must note that the stress and dietary habits mentioned in the Donguibogam also exert a critically important influence from a modern medical perspective. Our stomach is connected far more closely to our emotions than we might think, thanks to a complex nervous system called the brain-gut axis. The brain and the gastrointestinal tract communicate directly through the vagus nerve, influencing each other so closely that over 90% of neurotransmitters such as serotonin are produced in the gut. When we experience stress, the brain secretes the stress hormone cortisol. This hormone reduces blood flow to the stomach, suppresses mucus secretion, and increases gastric acid secretion, making the gastric mucosa vulnerable to damage, much like defenses weakening on a battlefield. Furthermore, modern dietary habits are often harmful to the stomach. Consuming processed foods, excessive sugar, and saturated fat increases harmful bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract and promotes inflammatory responses. Irregular meal times, late-night eating, and rushed meals also force the stomach to work excessively without rest, declining gastrointestinal function and worsening inflammation. As these factors act together, they weaken the defensive capacity of the gastric mucosa and diminish its ability to protect the stomach from gastric acid or digestive enzymes, leading to chronic inflammation. In the end, our stomach endures endless strain from stress and improper eating habits without a single day of comfort, manifesting as the SOS signal called chronic gastritis. This is why understanding the root cause and improving lifestyle habits is more important than merely suppressing symptoms with medication.