Is Gastritis Irritated by Foods With Gluten?

Food with gluten will not irritate gastritis unless you have an underlying condition that causes an adverse reaction to gluten. If you notice that whenever you eat foods that contain wheat you develop gastric symptoms, you need to see your doctor for a clinical diagnosis. You will have to eat a modified, bland diet if you're diagnosed with gastritis, and increase your liquid intake to treat diarrhea and vomiting and to prevent dehydration.

Gastritis is a common term used for inflammation of the intestines. This medical term is also typically used to describe an upset stomach. The inflammation of the lining of your stomach and intestines is most likely the result of bacteria or a virus, but can also result from injury, surgery or inflammatory bowel disease. Common causes of gastritis are food poisoning and the stomach flu. Certain foods will aggravate gastritis, such as dairy products, alcohol and caffeine. Gluten is not a common food ingredient that will cause irritation to the gut in healthy adults. Gluten is a protein in wheat, barely and rye.

Wheat contains five proteins that commonly trigger an allergic reaction. Gluten is one of the proteins in wheat and other grains. If you are allergic to wheat or gluten, you will develop further irritation in your digestive system after ingesting the protein. A gluten allergy is the result of a hypersensitivity of the immune system to the protein. After you eat the protein, your body reacts to it the same way it would to viruses or harmful bacteria. Immunoglobulin E antibodies, histamine and other chemicals are created to attack the protein. This chemical reaction causes inflammation in the digestive system.

Gluten intolerance, or celiac disease, is a common digestive condition that is still not fully understood. If you're intolerant of gluten, the lining of your small intestine experiences damage after you eat gluten. The medical community isn't sure why this happens, but it can cause long-term damage that can lead to serious complications. Eating gluten if you have this condition will cause gastritis and can worsen any other symptoms caused by another bacterial or viral infection in the gut.

If you notice that eating foods that contain gluten causes gastritis symptoms, stop consuming these foods until you can be evaluated by a doctor. Whether you're allergic or intolerant to gluten, avoiding gluten can prevent serious complications, such as anaphylactic shock or malnourishment.