There are several different types of gastritis, but antral gastritis occurs when there is inflammation in the antrum or the lower stomach. This portion of the stomach is the mechanism responsible for releasing the contents into your intestinal tract. When this part of your stomach becomes inflamed it is usually a result of bacteria infiltrating your body, or it could be caused by potent medications known as NSAIDS, or a high grade anti-inflammatory.

The bacteria responsible for the inflammation is known as h.pylori, and is usually the first thing that doctors will look for when they are investigating possible ulcers. When suspicion of ulcers is present, a gastroenterologist will usually recommend a simple procedure known as an EGD. The doctor performs this procedure, by inserting an endoscope, or a long flexible tube with a light and camera, down through the esophagus in order to take pictures of  the esophagus, stomach and duodenum. Biopsies are taken in order to determine if the bacteria is present, or if there are ulcers present as a result of potent anti-inflammatory medications.

According to the theory of traditional Chinese medicine, there are some patterns of syndrome that lead to antral gastritis.
1. Pattern of Liver and Stomach Disharmony
2. Pattern of Spleen and Stomach Deficiency
3. Pattern Spleen and Stomach Damp-Heat
4. Pattern of Stomach Yin Deficiency

Our TCM clinical practice has showed that integration of Chinese medicine and western medicine is a very good choice for this disease. When treating antral gastritis, Chinese doctors will take everything into consideration, including the following conditons.
1. Mental stress
2. Food poisoning
3. Viral infection
4. Use of anti-inflammatory drugs
5. Bacterial infection
6. Use of alcohol