The causes of stomach wall thickening include bacterial infection, excessive alcohol use and the body attacking its own cells in the stomach. Certain medical conditions, such as a parasitic infection and HIV/AIDS, also cause the lining of the stomach to thicken, as Mayo Clinic explains.
Stomach wall thickening is referred to as gastritis, which is divided into two types. Acute gastritis develops suddenly without much forewarning, while chronic gastritis develops slowly. Chronic gastritis also lasts for a relatively longer period of time, according to Mayo Clinic.
Several factors lead to the development of gastritis, and some of these are unavoidable, such as age. Taking pain relievers regularly also leads to gastritis in certain situations, as Mayo Clinic explains. Stress after a major surgery, injuries and infections also cause gastritis, and experiencing gastritis symptoms over time is a warning sign for a person to seek medical attention to prevent further damage.
Symptoms of gastritis include burning or pain in the upper abdomen, and nausea and vomiting. Gastritis is closely related to indigestion. Those with gastritis symptoms should seek medical attention when the symptoms are prevalent for over a week or if they vomit blood, find blood in their stool or have stool that looks black, according to Mayo Clinic.
