What Is Erythematous Mucosa of the Stomach?
Erythematous mucosa of the stomach is a red, irritated lining within the stomach. This condition is generally seen when a patient has a diagnosis of gastritis, and the inflamed stomach lining is seen during an endoscopic evaluation. Biopsies may or may not be taken during endoscopy to evaluate and diagnosis the cause of the erythema.
There are several causes of gastritis of the stomach, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, bile reflux, alcohol and bacterial infections such as Helicobacter pylori. Certain diseases may cause erythematous changes within the stomach, including sarcoidosis and even allergies. Radiation treatments may also be a cause for erythema of the stomach lining.
An individual may or may not have symptoms of gastritis. Some symptoms may be mild, such as slight abdominal discomfort after eating or heartburn, while other symptoms are more serious. Weight loss, vomiting and hematemesis can all be symptoms of gastritis.
Acute gastritis is generally a short-lived inflammatory process. Chronic gastritis, however, may lead to chronic changes within the gastric mucosa, causing muscle atrophy and even cellular changes that lead to stomach cancer.
It is believed that stomach cancer is formed in stages, beginning usually with an H. pylori infection and progressing through chronic gastritis, atrophy, metaplasia and finally dysplasia, or the development of cancer cells.
