Version July 2025
Please read the Disclaimer at the end of this page.
What are discharge instructions? —
Discharge instructions are information about how to take care of yourself after getting medical care in the emergency department ("ED").
What should I know? —
You came to the ED for gastritis. This is inflammation of the stomach lining. It is sometimes caused by bacteria. Or it can be caused by taking some types of medicines, like "nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs" ("NSAIDs").
Gastritis can also be caused by drinking alcohol, conditions in which the body's infection-fighting system attacks the stomach lining, or having a serious or life-threatening illness.
Based on what caused your gastritis, you might need to take antibiotics or other medicines.
How do I care for myself at home? —
Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure you understand exactly what you need to do to care for yourself. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.
You should also:
●Call your regular doctor and tell them you were in the ED. Make a follow-up appointment if you were told to.
●Take all your medicines as instructed, even if you are feeling better.
●Eat small meals more often to help with belly pain.
●Keep a diary about your pain and what foods you eat. Then, avoid foods that bother your stomach. For some people, these include coffee, chocolate, alcohol, peppermint, and spicy or fatty foods.
●Avoid taking NSAID medicines too often, unless your doctor tells you it is OK. These can cause ulcers, which some people have along with gastritis. Examples of NSAIDs include aspirin, ibuprofen (sample brand names: Advil, Motrin), and naproxen (sample brand names: Aleve).
●Avoid or limit alcohol.
●Quit smoking, if you smoke. Your doctor or nurse can help.
●Try to learn ways to manage stress. Stress can cause the acid levels in your stomach to rise.
When should I get emergency help?
●Call for emergency help right away (in the US and Canada, call 9-1-1) if:
•You vomit blood or have a lot of blood in your bowel movements.
•Your stomach pain gets much worse all of a sudden or over a few hours.
•Your stomach gets hard or tender.
•You have chest pain or trouble breathing.
●Return to the ED if:
•Your bowel movements are bright red, black, or tar colored.
•You are vomiting often.
When should I call the doctor? —
Call for advice if:
●Your stomach pain does not get better even after taking medicine, changing your diet, and following treatment instructions.
●You lose a lot of weight without trying to.
●You have new or worsening symptoms.
Patient education: Gastritis (The Basics)
Patient education: H. pylori infection (The Basics)
Patient education: Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (The Basics)
Patient education: Helicobacter pylori infection and treatment (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (Beyond the Basics)
