Gastritis, an inflammation or irritation of the lining of the stomach, is not a single disease. Rather, gastritis is a condition that has many causes. Common to all people with gastritis is pain or discomfort in the upper part of the belly (abdomen), sometimes called dyspepsia.

• Irregular or excessive eating: The most frequent cause of gastritis is a dietetic indiscretion such as habitual overeating, eating of badly combined or improperly cooked foods, excessive intake of strong tea, coffee or alcoholic drinks or habitual use of large quantities of condiments and sauces.
• Worry and anxiety: Other causes include worry, anxiety, grief and prolonged tension, use of certain drugs, strong acids and caustic substances.

The main symptoms of gastritis are loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, headache and dizziness. There is pain and discomfort in the region of the stomach.
Other symptoms are a coated tongue, foul breath, bad taste in the mouth, increased flow of saliva, scanty urination, a general feeling of uneasiness and mental depression. In more chronic cases, the patient complaints of heartburn and a feeling of fullness in the abdomen, especially after the meals. Often there is constipation, but occasionally, there may be diarrhea due to intestinal catarrah.

• Coconut: Coconut water is excellent remedy for gastritis. It gives the stomach the necessary rest and provides vitamins and minerals. The stomach is greatly helped in returning to a normal condition if nothing but coconut water is given during the first twenty four hours.
• Rice: Rice gruel is another excellent remedy for acute cases of gastritis. One cup of the rice gruel is recommended twice daily. In the chronic cases where the flow of gastric juice is meager, such foods as require prolonged vigorous mastication are beneficial as they induce a greater flow of gastric juice.
• Potato: Potato juice has been found valuable in relieving gastritis. The recommended dose is half a cup of juice, two or three times daily, half an hour before meals.
• Marigold: The herb marigold is also considered beneficial in the treatment of gastritis. An infusion of the herb in doses of a tablespoon may be taken twice daily.

• Eat smart: If you experience frequent indigestion, eat smaller, more frequent meals to buffer stomach acid secretion. In addition, avoid any foods you find irritating, especially those that are spicy, acidic, fried or fatty.
• Limit or avoid alcohol: Excessive use of alcohol can irritate and erode the mucous lining of your stomach, causing inflammation and bleeding.
• Don't smoke: Smoking interferes with the protective lining of the stomach, making your stomach more susceptible to gastritis as well as ulcers. Smoking also increases stomach acid, delays stomach healing and is a leading risk factor for stomach cancer. Still, quitting isn't easy, especially if you've smoked for years. Talk to your doctor about methods that may help you stop smoking.
• Switch pain relievers: If possible, avoid taking NSAIDs — aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen. These over-the-counter medications can cause stomach inflammation or make existing irritation worse. Instead, switch to pain relievers containing acetaminophen.