Chronic atrophic gastritis is an inflammatory condition that leads to the degradation of the mucosal lining of the stomach. Older adults who have H. pylori infection or regularly use nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or aspirin are at an increased risk of developing this condition.

Symptoms and Signs of Chronic Gastritis in TCM
1. Pathogenic Cold Attacking the Stomach
Chief Manifestations: Sudden onset of gastric pain which is aggravated by pressure and alleviated by hot compression, preference for warmth and aversion to cold, absence of thirst, preference for hot drinks, white tongue coating, wiry and tense pulse.

2. Damp Heat in the Spleen and Stomach
Chief Manifestations: Fullness or distending pain in the gastric area, anorexia, bitter taste and stickiness in the mouth, heavy sensation in the head and body, dyschesia, feverish sensation in the anus, red tip and margin of the tongue, with yellow and greasy coating, wiry and smooth pulse.

3. Disharmony Between the Liver and Stomach
Chief Manifestations: Distending pain in the gastric area radiating to the hypochondriac area, fullness in the chest, belching, frequent sighing, vomiting, restlessness, irritability, dizziness, insomnia, dyschesia, or diarrhea or constipation, pale tongue with thin and yellow coating or thin and white coating, wiry pulse.

4. Blood Stasis Blocking the Collaterals
Chief Manifestations: Pricking or cutting epigastric pain, which is fixed and aggravated by pressure, or hematemesis, tarry stools, gloomy complexion, purple tongue or with purple spots, unsmooth pulse.

5. Qi Deficiency in the Spleen and Stomach
Chief Manifestations: Fullness in the gastric area, which is worse after intake of food, anorexia, lassitude, loose stools, pale and swollen tongue with thin and white coating, deep and weak pulse.

6. Yang Deficiency in the Spleen and Stomach
Chief Manifestations: Continuous dull pain in the gastric area, which is relieved by warmth, pressure and intake of food, vomiting of clear fluid, anorexia, lassitude, cold limbs, loose stools, pale and swollen tongue with thin and white coating, thready and weak pulse.