Usually people, especially girls, strive to be slim. What kind of sacrifices do women make: strict diets, exhausting workouts, taking dietary supplements. Men have completely opposite attitudes, in which weight loss is a big problem. However, both men and women can experience underweight. The causes of such a deficiency are often diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) - gastritis, for the most part. How to cope with the problem of weight loss? How to gain weight with gastritis?
Characteristics of the disease
Gastritis is a disease of the stomach consisting of inflammation of its mucous membrane. For various reasons, irritation of the mucous membrane occurs, which sometimes leads to unbearable pain in the solar plexus area. Ignoring such signals from the body ends with the cells of the gastric epithelium atrophying, and digestion of incoming food is difficult.
In medical practice, there are two main types of gastritis - acute and chronic. An acute type of gastritis can be caused by eating food that has expired, the entry of an irritating element (acids, metals) into the stomach, as well as infection with intestinal infections. In fact, the phenomenon of acute gastritis occurs once and suddenly against the background of a negative effect on the gastric mucosa.
Chronic gastritis is divided into 3 types: autoimmune, bacterial and reflux gastritis. In 9 out of 10 cases, bacterial gastritis occurs, caused by Helicobacter pylori infection. However, the question of how to gain weight with gastritis and GERD is relevant in the case of reflux gastritis. The reason for its occurrence is the periodic release of bile from the stomach into the esophagus, which should not happen in a healthy person, because a closed sphincter usually protects the esophagus from the contents of the stomach.
Forward to a cure
Lead a healthy, active lifestyle, give up bad habits, avoid stress, regularly visit the hospital to monitor your body. Prevention is better than cure. Consumption of vitamins and minerals in food, eat often, but in small portions, do not overeat, do not eat large pieces, it is better to finely chop or puree foods.
Steamed or baked fish, soups, choose meat that is easy for the stomach to digest (veal, beef, rabbit, chicken). No one has canceled the benefits of porridges; they can be not only healthy, but also tasty by adding fruits, nuts, and honey. Healthy food can also be varied and tasty.
The information” on our website is provided by qualified doctors and is for informational purposes only. Don't self-medicate! Be sure to consult a specialist!
Author: Rumyantsev V. G. Experience 34 years.
Gastroenterologist, professor, doctor of medical sciences. Prescribes diagnostics and carries out treatment. Expert of the group for the study of inflammatory diseases. Author of more than 300 scientific papers.
Have you been struggling with GASTRITIS and ULCERS for many years without success?
“You will be amazed at how easy it is to cure gastritis and ulcers just by taking it every day.
Gastritis is a pathology in which patients experience disruptions in the gastrointestinal tract. Many patients begin to rapidly lose weight due to inflammatory processes rapidly developing in the stomach.
They can be triggered by chemical, mechanical and bacterial factors, for example the pathogenic bacterium Helicobacter. When this pathology becomes chronic, in many patients the process of absorption of beneficial food components by the stomach is disrupted. As a result, they partially or completely lose their appetite, which entails rapid weight loss.
A switch to a diet that excludes all fats and unhealthy foods should also be considered as a factor that provokes weight loss. Following a strict diet is the main component of a successful cure for pathology. That is why weight loss during acute gastritis is considered a normal phenomenon that most patients have to face. Before starting to adjust weight, each person must establish the reason for its loss, and only after that take one or another method.
Symptoms of gastrointestinal diseases
The most important symptom of almost all diseases associated with the digestive system is acute or aching pain in the abdominal cavity, specifically in the stomach area, under the right and left hypochondrium, in the intestinal area. The pain may be accompanied by heartburn, a feeling of nausea after eating, loss of appetite, and rapid heartbeat. External manifestations include a white coating on the tongue and a sour smell from the mouth.
Gastritis, especially chronic gastritis, is characterized by loose stools, periodically followed by constipation. Patients may complain of weakness, increased fatigue, frequent headaches, discomfort and bloating. When the acute form develops, vomiting after eating and severe stomach pain may occur.
Why does weight loss happen?
Before answering the question: “How to gain weight with gastritis?”, it is necessary not only to understand the reasons why weight loss occurs, but also to get rid of them. The main reason, of course, lies in the presence of a disease of the digestive system, or more precisely, in the presence of an inflammatory process in the gastrointestinal tract.
With gastritis, the inflamed walls of the stomach are unable to fully digest and absorb food. A large proportion of proteins, fats and carbohydrates are not broken down and absorbed. Also, quite often, patients with a sick stomach complain of loss of appetite, which ultimately leads to rapid weight loss.
Many gastrointestinal diseases, especially during exacerbations, are characterized by loose and even watery stools and diarrhea. Nausea and vomiting may also occur after eating. The combination of such symptoms leads to dehydration of the body. He is forced to use reserves in the form of fat deposits, since he is not able to provide himself with enough calories. This ultimately leads to dramatic weight loss.
Common reasons for losing weight
Very often the cause of weight loss is stress and depression. Phobias and mental stress can provoke rapid weight loss. This means that if body weight decreases when difficult life situations arise, then there is no need to worry. Most likely, if external conditions normalize, you will be able to recover quickly. In addition, special unbalanced diets and exhaustion of oneself with physical activity can lead to rapid weight loss. Representatives of the fair sex are often attracted to them. It should be remembered that such methods can be harmful to health.
The following are also not considered dangerous causes of weight loss:
- Hormonal imbalances during adolescence. After its completion, normal weight will be restored naturally.
- Harmful addictions, for example, to alcohol or drugs. All you need to do is give up your addictions and return to a healthy, active lifestyle.
Preparing for weight gain
Starting to gain weight without getting rid of the reasons for its decline is a futile exercise. First, you need to cure gastrointestinal diseases in which complete absorption of nutrients is impossible. Or, at least, put chronic diseases into remission. Only after this can you think about how to gain weight with gastritis and esophagitis.
Treatment of gastrointestinal diseases is carried out under the supervision of a gastroenterologist. Depending on the severity of the problem, the course of treatment can be carried out either at home or on an outpatient or inpatient basis. First, anamnesis is collected: the patient talks about what worries him and talks about the course of the disease. Next, a collection of tests is carried out, including a general and biochemical blood test, urine and stool analysis. Examinations such as ultrasound and gastroscopy are required.
Sports in treatment
In clinical recommendations for the treatment of chronic gastritis, sports are prohibited at the time of exacerbation. Heavy and moderate-intensity loads negatively affect the regeneration processes of the mucous membrane and worsen gastric motility.
It is not forbidden to do swimming, yoga, light gymnastics, or do morning exercises. During the period of complete remission, you can return to strength training aimed at “building up” muscle mass.
Basic Tips for Weight Loss
In order to return your weight to normal, you need to:
- remove all factors that provoke exacerbation (stress, overeating, etc.);
- get rid of bad habits;
- diversify your diet with protein foods, create a small calorie surplus (no more than 5-15% of the daily value);
- find your hobby, limit yourself from stressful situations;
- during the period of complete clinical and laboratory remission, modify your lifestyle with the help of sports.
Thus, weight gain during the treatment of inflammation in the stomach should only take place under the supervision of the attending physician. Ideally, based on the recommendations of nutritionists and nutritionists.
Treatment of gastrointestinal diseases
After the doctor has diagnosed one or more diseases associated with the gastrointestinal tract, the course of treatment begins. In any case, it will include a specialized diet - table No. 5, aimed at minimizing the risk of new exacerbations. A proper diet is an important help in answering the question of how to gain weight with gastritis. Meals should be divided, in small portions, from 4 to 7 times a day.
However, diet alone will not be enough. Only the attending physician can cure gastritis, pancreatitis, esophagitis, or at least achieve remission of such gastrointestinal diseases. He will draw up an individual program for taking medications, without which it is quite problematic to cure erosion and inflammatory processes in the gastrointestinal tract. Gaining weight with atrophic gastritis is possible only if the course of treatment is successful.
Usually, for gastritis, drugs are prescribed that reduce the acidity of gastric juice (Maalox, Gastal) and suppress the production of gastric enzymes (Nolpaza, De-Nol). Additional food enzymes (Mezim, Pancreatin) and antibacterial drugs may also be prescribed if a Helicobacter pylori infection is detected (Amoxicillin, Clarithromycin).
Getting better right
If your home scale shows critically low numbers, you need to undergo a thorough examination and make sure you have gastritis. In addition to going to a gastroenterologist and a general survey, the patient must donate blood. It must be sent for testing to identify parasites in the biomaterial. Other studies:
- Determination of thyroid hormone levels.
- Fluorography.
- Ultrasound of the thyroid gland.
Insufficient hormone production has a huge impact on weight loss. Problems with the functioning of the thyroid gland are closely intertwined with pathologies of the digestive tract.
After the stomach is checked and the type of gastritis is identified, the doctor will put the patient on a special diet. In addition, the patient needs to build up a sufficient amount of fat and muscle tissue and strengthen bones. Therapy should be comprehensive, because you will need to get better, strengthen your immune system, and recover from concomitant diseases. The negative process should be properly stopped by restoring appetite and strength.
Dramatic weight loss requires immediate action. Before going to see your doctor, you need to go on a gentle diet. Nutrition must be balanced; you cannot completely give up fats, because without them the body cannot function.
The menu must include dishes with an optimal range of nutrients. Fats must be correct.
Principles of proper nutrition
During the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders, it is mandatory to follow a special diet, table No. 5 mentioned above. You should also increase the number of meals per day to 6, with an interval of 2-3 hours. The volume of each serving should be reduced to 200-250 grams. Food must be chewed thoroughly.
For gastritis, pancreatitis, esophagitis, fresh baked goods, mushrooms, fried meat, smoked meats, cakes and pastries, chocolate, fast food, soda and alcohol should be excluded from the diet. From the menu you need to remove everything that is difficult to digest: cooked in oil, solid foods with coarse fibers. The diet menu cannot boast of high calorie content. Therefore, losing weight due to dieting is the norm. Then how to gain weight with gastritis? Later, after relieving inflammation and negative symptoms of gastrointestinal disorders, the diet can be diluted with more high-calorie foods rich in fats, amino acids and protein. This includes baked fish, boiled turkey, rabbit and beef, and durum pasta.
Sample menu for the day
When creating a menu, you should proceed from the following ratio of nutrients: 50% carbohydrates, 35% fats and 15% proteins.
- First and second breakfast. For the first breakfast after waking up, porridges are ideal - rolled oatmeal, semolina, cooked in milk. You can eat cottage cheese mixed with honey or jam, or a casserole. For the second tomorrow, porridge is also suitable, but you can cook baked fruits, make a fruit salad or milk soufflé.
- Dinner. Answering the question: “How to gain weight after gastritis?”, one cannot fail to mention the importance of a proper lunch. Chicken noodle soup, meatball soup, pea or pumpkin puree soup are a must-have first course. For the second course, you can make mashed potatoes or cook pasta as a side dish, not forgetting the meat (it’s best to eat chicken or turkey).
- Afternoon snack. During the afternoon snack, you can drink weak, sweet black tea. Eat fruit, yogurt or a small portion of cottage cheese.
- Dinner. It should always consist of meat dishes: cutlets, zrazy, meatballs. Eating meat should be accompanied by vegetables, or better yet, a fresh salad of cucumbers or tomatoes. For a side dish you can prepare rice, buckwheat, pasta or mashed potatoes.
- Before bedtime. An hour and a half before going to bed, you can drink a glass of kefir or fermented baked milk, eat a couple of crackers, bagels or bread.
Diet for gastritis with low acidity
In addition to acute and chronic gastritis, gastritis with low and high acidity is also distinguished in medicine. The classification is based on the principle of separating the amount of gastric juice produced. If there is not enough of it, then it is gastritis with low acidity. If there is a lot, then with an increased one.
How to gain weight with gastritis with low acidity? Adhere to a diet and special food rules:
- Food needs to be chewed long and thoroughly. The meal itself should be measured and take a long time, about 15-30 minutes.
- 10 minutes before meals you should drink a glass of mineral water to stimulate the production of gastric juice.
- You can and even should eat vegetables during meals. After meals, you can eat sour fruits, but you should avoid sweet ones.
The diet itself should be rich in proteins. Boiled turkey, chicken, rabbit, and beef are perfect. Among the vegetables recommended for consumption are carrots, broccoli, and cabbage. You also need to add fermented milk products to your diet.
Diet for gastritis with high acidity
With gastritis with high acidity, the activity of gastric juice is very high, so it is necessary to reduce not only its activity, but also the volume.
How to gain weight with gastritis with high acidity? The following rules must be observed:
- Foods with hard fibers and coarse fiber (bran bread, muesli) should be excluded from the diet.
- Some foods stimulate the production of gastric juice and should be avoided. These are soda, fatty broths, cabbage, sour fruits, coffee and alcohol. Fermented milk products and fresh baked goods should also be excluded from the menu.
- The food should be warm. Excessively hot or cold food negatively affects the walls of the esophagus and stomach.
For gastritis with high acidity, you can eat boiled meat and lean fish, various seafood, and cereals. The diet should be diluted with vegetables and fresh herbs, grated berries and fruits.
Useful folk recipe
Our ancestors also encountered various gastrointestinal disorders. To cope with them, they used medicinal herbs and plants, whatever was at hand. This knowledge, embodied in the form of folk recipes, is still relevant and useful as an aid in answering the question: “How to gain weight with pancreatitis and gastritis?”
For example, a decoction of calamus rhizome perfectly stimulates digestion and improves appetite. You should drink it half an hour before each meal, half a glass. To prepare the decoction, grind the calamus roots. 3 teaspoons of crushed roots should be poured into two glasses of water (400 ml), after which the resulting mixture should be boiled over low heat for 15 minutes.
Sport is the best way to gain weight
No matter how strange it may be, it is physical activity in combination with a proper and balanced diet that gives the greatest results in terms of weight gain. How can a man gain weight with gastritis? A gym would be an ideal option. An hour or an hour and a half sessions in the gym 3-5 times a week will not only improve your external appearance, but will also help you gain muscle mass. Muscle mass itself is heavier than fat mass, so you can gain weight by converting one mass into another.
In order to exercise for the benefit and not for the detriment, it is first recommended to take several lessons with a professional trainer. He will show you how to do the exercises correctly and create a training program, taking into account medical indications and current physical fitness. The trainer can also advise on proper nutrition during strength training and regarding protein intake. Protein is an extremely effective way to quickly gain muscle mass. Moreover, it can also be used for gastritis, since it is easily absorbed by the walls of the stomach. However, the protein must be pure, without flavoring additives.
Taking medications
Currently, the pharmacological industry offers people a huge range of drugs whose action is aimed at increasing appetite:
- biologically active additives;
- plant complexes;
- medicines.
Many drugs contain appetite stimulants and digestive enzymes, which have a beneficial effect on the body:
- normalize digestive processes;
- stimulate the hunger center;
- control weight loss, etc.
People, especially those who have gastrointestinal diseases, should not self-medicate. Before starting to take such drugs, they need to go to a medical facility for advice. A specialist, taking into account existing problems, will help you choose a safe and effective drug that will allow the patient to gain weight.
A gastroenterologist will develop an individual program for each patient with a chronic form of gastritis, the points of which must be strictly followed:
- proper and balanced nutrition;
- regular physical activity;
- special medications;
- vitamin and mineral complexes;
- folk recipes.
General conclusion
With most diseases associated with the gastrointestinal tract: gastritis, pancreatitis, esophagitis, GERD, weight loss occurs. The inflamed mucous membrane of the digestive organs is not able to properly digest food, which leads to incomplete absorption of nutrients. Possible loss of appetite, diarrhea and vomiting greatly deplete the body.
It is possible to gain weight due to gastrointestinal disorders; however, you must first cure or put into remission all diseases associated with the digestive process. Both during the course of the disease and after, it is necessary to follow a special diet - table No. 5. It may vary slightly depending on the type of problem, as, for example, in the case of gastritis with high and low acidity. It is also necessary to follow special rules for eating so as not to irritate the digestive organs.
When it comes to weight gain, training in the gym is extremely effective. Exercising, eating right and eating protein will help you gain muscle mass quickly. However, you should first consult with your doctor and then with a personal trainer.
Annoying factors of weight loss
Gastritis can be caused by various reasons. In addition to bacterial ones, medicine knows mechanical and chemical ones. All this leads to an acute or chronic form of the disease. Depending on the combination of factors and the patient’s behavior, he may be diagnosed with the following types of gastritis:
- Erosive. The formation of numerous ulcers and erosions.
- Catarrhal. The initial stage of an uncomplicated disease.
- Eosinophilic. An irritant is a product to which a person develops an allergy.
- Granulomatous. It is adjacent to the same damage to neighboring organs.
