If you have symptoms of chronic gastritis, you probably want to know what you can do to get rid of it fast. It's never easy dealing with the persistent nausea, burning, bloating, and pain that comes with gastritis. However, learning ways to cope with it can help to minimize the symptoms and reduce flare-ups.

Get to a gastroenterologist

If you've been dealing with distressing stomach symptoms for longer than a few weeks and have gotten no relief with over-the-counter medications, you should schedule an appointment to see a physician who specializes in stomach disorders. Self-diagnosis can be dangerous. A gastroenterologist can order testing to confirm your condition and help you begin proper treatment.

Get a good night's sleep

Lack of sleep can make any health condition worse, and proper rest allows your body time to heal and repair itself. Try to avoid eating within a few hours of going to bed. A full stomach can aggravate gastritis symptoms in some people.

Avoid lying flat. If you experience a lot of heartburn symptoms, you may want to elevate the head of your bed a few inches by placing wooden blocks under the bedposts. Propping up on an extra pillow can provide relief as well.

Get trigger foods out of your diet

All people are different when it comes to dietary measures that work for gastritis. Keep a food journal for several weeks, note which foods tend to aggravate you, and try to eliminate those foods. Eat smaller meals to avoid overstuffing the inflamed stomach lining so you can promote healing.

Some common trigger foods to avoid are fatty and fried foods, tomatoes, spices, carbonated beverages, and dairy products. Cooked vegetables are often easier on the stomach than raw vegetables. Avoid fresh fruits that are high in acid, such as oranges, grapefruits, and kiwi fruit.

Get properly hydrated

Drinking plenty of water is beneficial in several ways for gastritis sufferers. Water keeps you hydrated. Water is also soothing to an irritated stomach lining. Water can also dilute excess stomach acid and reduce burning.

Get rid of stress

Stress and anxiety can lead to gastritis flare-ups. When anxiety and stress levels are high, the stomach may react by producing extra stomach acid. Try natural relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing, yoga, and meditation to keep stress levels to a minimum.

While the symptoms of chronic gastritis can be distressing and miserable at times, learning how to cope with your symptoms and prevent them from happening is the key to getting on the road to recovery. Working with your gastroenterologist to develop a plan for healing is important and will help you learn more about your condition and the latest innovations in treatments.