Conditions
Gastritis: symptoms and treatment by video in Puerto Rico
Gastritis is inflammation of the stomach lining, and it can usually be evaluated by video. The most common causes are H. pylori bacteria, anti-inflammatory painkillers such as ibuprofen or aspirin, and alcohol. The doctor reviews your symptoms and your medicines, gives you a lab order for an H. pylori test if needed and, if appropriate, prescribes treatment.
Is it an emergency? Call 911.
Is this an emergency?
This is not an emergency service. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room if you have:
- Vomiting red blood or something that looks like coffee grounds
- Black, tarry stool, or red or maroon blood in the stool
- Dizziness, shortness of breath or extreme tiredness with stomach pain
- Sudden, severe stomach pain, or a hard belly that is tender to the touch
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At a glance
Gastritis
Common symptoms
- Pain or discomfort in the upper belly
- Nausea or vomiting
- Feeling full too soon while eating
- Feeling full for too long after eating
- Poor appetite
- Weight loss
- Other names
- Gastropathy · Stomach inflammation
- Usual test
- H. pylori stool or breath test, by lab order, when needed
- Treatment
- Depends on the cause: antibiotics with an acid reducer for H. pylori, or acid reducers and cutting down anti-inflammatory painkillers
- Possible complication
- Stomach bleeding
On this page(8)
What is gastritis?
In gastritis, the stomach lining (the mucosa) is inflamed. When the lining is damaged but has little or no inflammation, doctors call it gastropathy; the two look alike and are managed in similar ways.
The most common causes are infection with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacteria, the most common cause of gastritis; nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, naproxen and aspirin; and alcohol. Other causes include bile flowing back from the intestine, an autoimmune reaction and the stress of a severe illness.
Many people with gastritis feel nothing at all. If your main problem is heartburn rising into your chest, see acid reflux; if you are not sure where the pain comes from, read stomach pain.
How we treat gastritis by video
You see Dr. Diana Nieves Castro, a Puerto Rico–licensed general practice physician with several years of emergency-department experience, in English or Spanish. We evaluate, diagnose and treat: the doctor asks where it hurts, since when, what helps, whether your stool has turned black, and what you take for pain or arthritis, because anti-inflammatory painkillers are a very common cause.
If you need to know whether you have H. pylori, we give you a lab order for a stool antigen test or a breath test at a lab near you. If appropriate, the doctor prescribes and we send your prescription to your pharmacy. We do not prescribe controlled substances. If you need an endoscopy, we refer you to a gastroenterologist.
We see adults and children of all ages. You need to be physically in Puerto Rico during the visit; visitors are welcome.
Your doctor
Dr. Diana Nieves Castro, MD
General practice physician
Several years of emergency-department experience.
Founding Executive Director of The Health Initiative.
Your visit in 3 steps
Request a visit online 24/7 — we confirm your time by email or text See how our online doctor visit works.
Request your visit.
Book a visit and choose "Doctor visit". You pay by card when you request it.
See the doctor by video.
We send you a secure video link. It works on your phone, tablet or computer. Have your medicines at hand.
Get your plan.
If appropriate, the doctor prescribes and we send your prescription to your pharmacy. If needed, you get a lab order and a doctor’s note.
What a gastritis visit costs
Gastritis is handled in a US$79 doctor visit, the same price for every age, with no membership. You pay by card when you request the visit, and you get a full refund if the visit can’t take place. A doctor’s note is included. We do not bill insurance; the lab and the pharmacy charge separately. See all prices. The service is run by The Health Initiative, a nonprofit.
Gastritis symptoms
When gastritis causes symptoms, they are usually those of indigestion:
- Pain or discomfort in the upper belly
- Nausea or vomiting
- Feeling full too soon while eating
- Feeling full for too long after eating
- Poor appetite
- Weight loss
Treatment, and when an H. pylori test is ordered
If H. pylori is the cause: treatment combines two or more antibiotics with a medicine that lowers stomach acid (a proton pump inhibitor). Take every dose: stopping early lets the bacteria survive and become resistant. The test is repeated at least 4 weeks after you finish, to confirm the bacteria are gone. If you are already our patient, we review that result with you in a follow-up visit.
If anti-inflammatory painkillers are the cause: the doctor helps you cut down, stop or switch to another pain reliever, and may prescribe a medicine that protects the stomach. Do not stop an aspirin prescribed for your heart without talking to your doctor.
For symptom relief: antacids, H2 blockers and proton pump inhibitors are options. The doctor tells you which fits your case. According to the NIDDK, diet does not cause most gastritis, but cutting down on alcohol helps.
The doctor orders an H. pylori test when your symptoms point to gastritis or an ulcer, especially if they are not improving. If there are signs of bleeding, anemia or weight loss, we give you a lab order and refer you for an endoscopy.
When to go to the ER
These signs can mean bleeding in the stomach. For your safety, go to the emergency room or call 911. See when to go to the ER.
- Vomiting red blood or something that looks like coffee grounds
- Black, tarry stool, or red or maroon blood in the stool
- Dizziness, shortness of breath or extreme tiredness with stomach pain
- Sudden, severe stomach pain, or a hard belly that is tender to the touch
How we care for you
We evaluate, diagnose and treat; if needed, we give you a lab order for a lab near you.
We see adults and children of all ages. Patients under 21: a parent with patria potestad (parental authority) or a legal guardian is on camera for the whole visit and shows photo ID.
Real-time video visit. We send you a secure video link. It works on your phone, tablet or computer.
If appropriate, the doctor prescribes and we send your prescription to your pharmacy. We do not prescribe controlled substances.
You must be physically in Puerto Rico during the visit (visitors, tourists and cruise passengers are welcome).
In an emergency, call 911.
Frequently asked questions
Can gastritis be cured?
Which test checks for H. pylori?
Can I take ibuprofen if I have gastritis?
Are gastritis and acid reflux the same thing?
About this page
Author: The Health Initiative
Medical care provided by Dr. Diana Nieves Castro, MD (PR license 24027)
Disclosure: Founding Executive Director of The Health Initiative
Published: 2026-10-02 · Updated: 2026-10-02
Sources (5)
- Gastritis (MedlinePlus, NIH) (opens in a new tab) (accessed 2026-10-02)
- Gastritis & Gastropathy (NIDDK, NIH) (opens in a new tab) (accessed 2026-10-02)
- Symptoms & Causes of Gastritis & Gastropathy (NIDDK, NIH) (opens in a new tab) (accessed 2026-10-02)
- Diagnosis of Gastritis & Gastropathy (NIDDK, NIH) (opens in a new tab) (accessed 2026-10-02)
- Treatment for Gastritis & Gastropathy (NIDDK, NIH) (opens in a new tab) (accessed 2026-10-02)