Stomach lining inflammation

What is stomach lining inflammation and why does it matter for long-term digestive health?

Stomach lining inflammation—commonly called gastritis—is a condition where the stomach’s protective mucosal barrier becomes irritated or inflamed. Under normal conditions, this lining defends your stomach wall from strong gastric acid needed for digestion. But when this protective layer breaks down, acid starts damaging the tissue beneath it.

When inflamed, the stomach lining can’t perform its protective role effectively. This can disrupt digestion, nutrient absorption, and overall gut health. If ignored, it may evolve into chronic gastritis, ulcers, or increase your risk of gastrointestinal bleeding and malignancies.

What symptoms might suggest you have inflammation in your stomach lining?

• Upper abdominal pain or burning sensation
• Nausea or vomiting
• Feeling full quickly after eating
• Bloating or excessive belching
• Loss of appetite
• Unintentional weight loss
• Black or tarry stools (in severe cases)

What causes inflammation in the stomach lining and how can different factors trigger it?

The primary cause of stomach lining inflammation is damage to the mucosal barrier (leaky gut), often due to excess stomach acid, infections, or irritants.

Other contributing factors include:

Infections

• Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacterial
• SIBO
• Dysbiosis

Food sensitivities

• Sensitivity to gluten and dairy

Chemical irritants

• Regular use of NSAIDs (like ibuprofen or aspirin)
• Excessive alcohol intake
• Tobacco use

Stress and lifestyle

• Ongoing emotional stress
• Irregular eating habits
• Highly processed diets low in fibre and antioxidants

Autoimmune response

• Autoimmune gastritis where the immune system attacks stomach lining cells

Hormonal shifts

• Changes in cortisol during andropause or menopause may disrupt gut-protective mechanisms

How is stomach lining inflammation assessed using functional lab testing?

To uncover the root cause of stomach lining inflammation, we recommend:

• State of the art stool analysis: To detect pathogens, parasites, bacterial infections, gut flora imbalances, inflammation, auto immune related bacteria, fungi, yeast, viruses such as Epstein Barr, protozoa, gut immune function and gluten reactivity.
• Functional lab tests: To evaluate nutrient absorption, inflammation, and digestive enzyme activity
• Cortisol rhythm testing: As chronic stress can impair mucosal healing
• Food sensitivity panels: To identify dietary triggers that may exacerbate inflammation

Our Functional Medicine Specialists can guide you through these home-based assessments with easy sample collection kits delivered to your door.

What steps can you take to support and protect your stomach lining naturally?

• Eat regularly and avoid skipping meals
• Reduce intake of spicy, fried, or heavily processed foods
• Introduce mucosa-supporting foods like bone broth, steamed greens, and aloe vera juice
• Cut back on alcohol and caffeine
• Use adaptogens (like licorice root or ashwagandha) under guidance to support adrenal health
• Reduce emotional stress with breathing exercises, meditation, or gentle exercise
• Avoid over-the-counter painkillers unless medically necessary.

How can you manage inflammation in the stomach lining for lasting relief?

Short-term management focuses on reducing irritation and allowing the mucosa to heal, while long-term strategies aim to restore full digestive function.

This might include:

• Tailored dietary support using the Metabolic Typing Diet
• Targeted supplementation to soothe the stomach lining and rebalance gut flora
• Functional lab-based monitoring to track healing progress
• Lifestyle adjustments to reduce inflammation and cortisol overload

How does Forbes.health tackle the root cause of stomach lining inflammation at home?

At Forbes.health, we believe long-term healing starts with understanding your body at a deeper level. Our approach includes:

• Comprehensive functional lab tests you complete from the comfort of your home
• Personalised support from Functional Medicine Specialists who get to the root cause, not just managing symptoms
• Clear, actionable insights on food intake through the Metabolic Typing Diet
• Ongoing check-ins and digital health tools to guide you every step of the way
• Retesting to monitor real progress and adjust your plan as your gut heals

We’re here to help you rebuild your digestive health from the inside out—with clarity, consistency, and expert support.