Gastritis & Stomach Ulcers
& support healthy digestive function
Burning or discomfort in your stomach?
Do you experience upper abdominal pain, burning, nausea, bloating or indigestion? Ongoing stomach discomfort can be frustrating, particularly when symptoms affect eating, sleep and everyday life.
At Enhanced Vitality, our Williamstown naturopaths support patients experiencing gastritis, stomach ulcers and related digestive symptoms. We take the time to understand your symptoms, health history and individual circumstances, helping you understand what may be contributing to your digestive discomfort.
What is gastritis?
Gastritis occurs when the lining of the stomach becomes inflamed. It can develop suddenly or persist over time, depending on what is causing the inflammation.
Common causes and contributing factors can include Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection, regular use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), alcohol use and certain autoimmune conditions. Other factors may also contribute to irritation or inflammation of the stomach lining.
The symptoms of gastritis can vary considerably between people and may include upper abdominal discomfort, nausea, indigestion or a feeling of fullness.
What are stomach ulcers?
A stomach ulcer, also known as a gastric ulcer, is a sore that develops in the lining of the stomach. Peptic ulcers can also develop in the duodenum, the first part of the small intestine.
Two of the most common causes of peptic ulcers are H. pylori infection and regular use of NSAID medications, such as ibuprofen and aspirin.
Ulcers can cause burning or gnawing pain in the upper abdomen, although some people may have few or no symptoms until a complication develops.
What can contribute to gastritis and stomach ulcers?
Possible contributors and risk factors include:
- Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection
- Regular use of NSAID medications, including ibuprofen and aspirin
- Alcohol use
- Smoking
- Certain medications
- Autoimmune conditions
- Severe physical stress, such as following significant illness, injury or major surgery
- Previous stomach or upper gastrointestinal problems
- Reflux and other digestive conditions
Individual food and drink choices may also aggravate symptoms for some people. Common triggers can vary, so it is not necessary to assume that the same foods will affect everyone in the same way.
What are the signs and symptoms?
Gastritis and stomach ulcers can cause a range of symptoms, including:
- Burning, aching or gnawing pain in the upper abdomen
- Indigestion
- Bloating or a feeling of fullness
- Frequent belching
- Nausea
- Reduced appetite
- Feeling full sooner than usual
- Vomiting
Some ulcers can cause bleeding. Black or tarry stools, vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds, dizziness or fainting require urgent medical attention.
Severe or persistent abdominal pain, unexplained weight loss or ongoing vomiting should also be medically assessed.
How can naturopathy help with gastritis and stomach ulcers?
If you are experiencing ongoing upper digestive symptoms, personalised naturopathic care may provide support for your digestive health alongside appropriate medical care.
During your initial consultation, our naturopaths take a detailed health and digestive history and assess your individual symptoms and circumstances. Where appropriate, we may discuss further investigation or recommend that you speak with your GP or other medical practitioner about appropriate medical testing.
This may include investigations such as H. pylori testing, pathology or other gastrointestinal testing, depending on your symptoms and medical history.
Testing isn’t necessary for everyone. If further investigation may be helpful, we’ll explain the options and help you understand what may be appropriate for your individual situation.
Your personalised naturopathic support may include practical guidance around nutrition, meal patterns, digestion, lifestyle and stress, together with nutritional or herbal support where appropriate.
Our approach is tailored to you and designed to complement your overall healthcare, particularly where medical assessment or treatment is also required.
What our patients say 🤍
“For years I was having gut issues that conventional gastro doctors would not pick up with a variety of pathology tests. It was very frustrating having doctors tell me that I would just have to live with it for the rest of my life. After meeting Helena she proved that totally wrong with one consult and a gut mapping test that came back clearly showing that my health was all out of whack with a myriad of gut issues. From there I followed a tailored health plan to get rid of the bad bugs and heal my gut. I’m happy to report that it totally worked and changed my life for the better! Throughout the journey I also found that Helena was a really genuine person and passionate about helping others. I highly recommend! ~ Paul
Imagine having…
- Less disruption from stomach discomfort and digestive symptoms
- More comfortable meals and greater ease around eating
- Greater confidence managing your digestive symptoms
- Practical strategies that fit your nutrition and lifestyle
💚 Ready to take the next step for your stomach health?
If gastritis, stomach discomfort or an ulcer is affecting your everyday life, our naturopaths can help you explore appropriate nutritional and lifestyle support based on your individual symptoms and health history.
We’ll take the time to understand your digestive concerns and discuss whether further investigation or personalised naturopathic support may be appropriate alongside your medical care.
Book an initial consultation to get started with personalised support for your digestive health.