Gastritis can occur in acute or chronic form. When the surface cells (epithelium) of the stomach are exposed to acidic gastric juice, the cells absorb hydrogen ions. This increases their internal acidity, counterbalances their basic metabolic processes, and causes an inflammatory reaction. In more severe cases, there may be ulceration of the mucosa (peptic or gastric ulcer), bleeding, perforation of the stomach wall, and peritonitis, a condition that occurs when an ulcer erodes through the full thickness of the stomach or duodenum and their contents enter the peritoneal cavity.

Duodenal ulcers develop when acid leaving the stomach erodes the duodenum’s lining. In many cases, the acid production is unusually high. Eating too many foods that require strong acid secretions, as well as improper food combining (for more details see Timeless Secrets of Health and Rejuvenation), often disturb balanced acid production. Esophageal reflux, commonly known as “heartburn,” is a condition in which stomach acid washes upward into the esophagus and causes irritation or injury to the delicate tissues lining the esophagus. Contrary to common opinion, this condition is not due to the stomach’s making too much hydrochloric acid, but due instead to back-flushing of waste, toxins, and bile from the intestines into the stomach. In many cases, heartburn results when the stomach makes too little hydrochloric acid, thereby forcing food to remain there far too long and to ferment. Taking antacids can further impair the digestion of foods and cause major damage to the stomach and the rest of the GI tract.

A number of other causes of gastritis and heartburn can be identified. They include overeating, consuming fried foods, excessive alcohol consumption, heavy cigarette smoking, drinking coffee every day, ingesting soda, eating large quantities of animal protein and animal fats, and subjecting oneself to x-radiation, cytotoxic drugs, aspirin, and other anti-inflammatory drugs. Food poisoning, highly spicy foods, iced beverages, dehydration, and emotional stress also cause gastric distress. All of these also cause gallstones in the liver and gallbladder, thereby starting off a vicious cycle and creating major disruptions throughout the GI tract. In the final event, malignant stomach tumors may be formed.

Most medical doctors now believe that a “bug” (H. pylori) causes stomach ulcers. Combating the bug with antibiotic drugs usually brings relief and stops the ulcer. Although the drug does not prevent the ulcer from returning after discontinuation, there is a high “recovery” rate. Still, such “recoveries” may cause side effects that are often serious.

The infection by the H. pylori bug is only possible because factors other than a normally harmless germ have already weakened and damaged the stomach cells. In a healthy stomach, the same bug turns out to be completely innocuous. Most of us have lived with this bug without ever being troubled by it.

Antibiotics destroy the natural stomach flora, including those bacteria that normally help to break down damaged cells. Although the antibiotic approach results in a quick relief of symptoms, it also lowers stomach performance permanently, which sets up the body for more severe challenges than just dealing with an ulcer. Shortcuts to healing rarely pay off.