Gastritis can be divided into acute and chronic forms. The symptoms are as follows:
- Pain: usually epigastric, described as colicky, dull, or burning; may be severe or mild.
- Nausea and vomiting: often the main reason for seeking care; retching can be intense even when little is vomited.
- Other dyspeptic symptoms: upper-abdominal fullness, belching, hypersalivation, and early satiety.
Neuropsychiatric features: some patients report nervous tension, irritability, insomnia, palpitations, or poor memory; these symptoms may exacerbate the gastric complaints and create a vicious cycle.
Upper-abdominal discomfort and fullness: typically worse after meals and minimal when fasting; patients feel full after small portions.
Associated symptoms: frequent belching, acid regurgitation, epigastric burning, loss of appetite, generalized indigestion, nausea, and occasional vomiting.
Pain: usually mild, vague, or burning and well tolerated.
Neuropsychiatric features: some patients report nervous tension, irritability, insomnia, palpitations, or poor memory; these symptoms may exacerbate the gastric complaints and create a vicious cycle.
| Category | Main Symptoms | Timing / Character | Associated Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acute Gastritis | Epigastric pain | Sudden onset; colicky, dull or burning; intensity varies from mild to severe | — |
| Nausea & vomiting | Chief complaint; may retch violently with little vomitus | Hypersalivation, early satiety | |
| Dyspepsia | Immediate | Belching, upper-abdominal fullness | |
| Chronic Gastritis | Upper-abdominal discomfort & fullness | Predominantly post-prandial; small meals induce fullness | Persistent |
| Dyspeptic symptoms | Intermittent | Belching, acid regurgitation, epigastric burning, anorexia, nausea, occasional vomiting | |
| Pain | Mild, vague or burning; well tolerated | — | |
| Neuro-psychiatric symptoms | Variable | Nervous tension, irritability, insomnia, palpitations, poor memory; may worsen gastric symptoms |