Women Over 50: These “Red Flag” Gastritis Symptoms Could Be More Dangerous Than You Think—Don’t Ignore Them!

Ever had that gnawing stomach pain that feels like a tiny rebel setting off fireworks in your gut? Well, what if that nagging ache isn’t just a fleeting annoyance but a sign your stomach’s waving a serious red flag? Believe it or not, even celebrities aren’t immune—just ask Jameela Jamil from The Good Place, who barely made it to the 2019 Emmys because severe gastritis had her sidelined and stuck on a drip, vomiting on her bathroom floor. Talk about a dramatic pre-show!

You might be scratching your head, wondering, “Gastritis? What’s that?” It’s a lot sneakier than you’d think, blurring lines between harmless tummy troubles and a condition that knocks you flat. Affecting roughly eight out of every 1,000 Americans—and disproportionately taking aim at women, especially those over 50—it’s a condition worth knowing inside and out. So buckle up, because I’m diving deep into what gastritis really is, why it inflames your stomach lining, how to spot it before it steals your thunder, and—most importantly—how to kick it to the curb. Ready to get the lowdown? LEARN MORE

We’ve all dealt with a stomachache now and then, but what happens when stomach pain is a sign of something more serious? Just hours before the Emmy Awards in 2019, The Good Place star Jameela Jamil revealed she was debilitated by severe gastritis symptoms. “Two hours ago, I was on a drip, like lying on my bathroom floor, throwing up,” Jamil told Access Hollywood. “I have gastritis.”

The term may be new for many of us, but the condition itself is more common than you may think. Gastritis affects about eight out of every 1,000 people in the United States, and affects far more women (especially those over 50) than it does men. Here’s everything you need to know about gastritis, including what causes it, important symptoms to watch for and how it’s treated.

What is gastritis?

Gastritis is the inflammation of your stomach wall, which can occur as a result of extreme stress, drinking too much alcohol, taking too many nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen and aspirin or smoking.

Sometimes, health conditions like infections caused by bacteria (such as Helicobacter pylori or H. pylori) and viruses, major surgery, traumatic injury or burns, autoimmune disorders and chronic bile reflux can also cause gastritis symptoms. However, gastritis can only officially be diagnosed when a specialist looks at a tissue sample under a microscope via a biopsy. 

There are two main types of gastritis:

• Acute gastritis comes on suddenly and lasts a relatively short time
• Chronic gastritis is a long-term condition in which you may experience periodic symptom flare-ups

The condition can also be classified as erosive or non-erosive. Erosive gastritis is diagnosed when your stomach lining is deteriorating and causing ulcers. On the other hand, non-erosive gastritis causes irritation or redness that does not eat away at the stomach lining.

Gastritis symptoms you need to know

Gastritis is a tricky condition to detect because you may not even have symptoms. “In the overwhelming majority of cases, it’s asymptomatic,” says Rabia de Latour, MD, gastroenterologist at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. However, sneaky gastritis symptoms may include:

• Stomach upset or pain
• Belching or hiccups
• Nausea or vomiting
• Feeling full
• Burning sensations in your stomach
• Loss of appetite
• Blood in vomit or black stool (which may be a result of stomach lining bleeding)

Many of these are general symptoms that can be easy to dismiss as other conditions. For instance, everything from constipation to kidney stones can cause stomach pain.

Gastritis symptoms may differ in women

Women are almost twice as likely to develop gastritis than men, and the two sexes experience it differently. Women with gastritis are more likely to develop symptoms such as:

• Iron-deficiency anemia
• Lower body weight
• Autoimmune thyroid disease
• Digestive discomfort
• Bloating or indigestion

Fluctuating hormones can also amplify gastritis symptoms, especially in those who have irritable bowel syndrome. What’s more, older women have an increased risk of gastritis since the stomach lining thins with age. Plus we’re more likely to be infected with H. pylori or autoimmune disorders than younger adults, according to the Mayo Clinic.   

Potential complications of gastritis

While most cases of gastritis are not concerning and don’t require follow-up or intervention, there are some rare cases like autoimmune gastritis (in which your immune system attacks cells in your stomach) or atrophic gastritis that can actually increase your risk of gastric cancer, says Dr. Latour. Patients with atrophic gastritis may also have a vitamin B12 deficiency. (See what normal B12 levels are by age here.)

Atrophic gastritis is a type of gastritis involving long-term inflammation that causes your stomach lining to thin. With this condition, your stomach cells may mimic intestinal cells, which can lead to an increased risk of stomach cancer, one of the most serious complications of gastritis.

Red flags to watch for

“We consider red flag signs to be weight loss, blood in the stool, black stools, vomiting of blood, iron deficiency anemia and if you have a family history of any sort of gastrointestinal cancer—that should increase one’s concern level,” says Dr. Latour.

What to do if you experience gastritis symptoms

If you have symptoms you think might be related to gastritis, start by seeing your primary care doctor, who may then refer you to a gastroenterologist. To address long-term symptoms, your doctor may request a stool sample to test for H. pylori bacteria that can cause gastric ulcers. They may also recommend an upper endoscopy to observe the upper abdomen directly. 

“The actual diagnostic work up will be based on the symptom pattern, the symptom description—including both alleviating and exacerbating factors—and the presence or absence of red flag signs,” says Dr. Latour. 

How gastritis is treated

One of the most common treatments for gastritis is a prescription for acid inhibitor medications called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), which ease upper gastrointestinal complaints. These are usually used to treat acid reflux, but can also help with non-specific symptoms related to gastritis. 

If your doctor finds you have H. pylori bacteria, you’ll be treated for the bacterial infection, which can cause gastric ulcers and stomach pain, says Dr. Latour. Meanwhile, if you have ulcers in your stomach, your doctor may prescribe acid inhibitors and monitor the ulcers to ensure they don’t become cancerous. “Anyone that is concerned about the symptoms they are having should seek medical attention,” emphasizes Dr. Latour.