Gastritis is a condition characterized by inflammation of the stomach lining. This protective barrier, known as the mucosa, helps shield the stomach from digestive acids and enzymes. When this lining becomes irritated or inflamed, it can lead to various uncomfortable symptoms.
What Gastritis Is
Gastritis inflammation can be acute, sudden and short-lived, or chronic, gradual and long-lasting. Common causes include infection with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), a widespread cause of chronic gastritis and ulcers. Excessive alcohol consumption and long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like aspirin or ibuprofen are also frequent contributors.
Other factors include significant stress, autoimmune reactions where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks stomach cells, and severe conditions like major surgery or burns. Symptoms typically involve upper abdominal pain, often described as a burning or gnawing ache, nausea, vomiting, indigestion, bloating, and a feeling of fullness after eating. Some individuals may also experience a loss of appetite.
Do Chills Directly Result from Gastritis?
Chills are generally not a direct or common symptom of gastritis itself. Gastritis primarily causes localized inflammation within the stomach lining. This inflammation typically does not trigger a systemic response, such as a fever or chills.
The typical symptoms associated with gastritis, including abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and indigestion, do not usually include chills. While some individuals might report feeling cold or experiencing chills, this is not a direct physiological outcome of the stomach lining’s inflammation. The presence of chills alongside gastritis symptoms often indicates other underlying issues.
Situations Where Chills May Occur Alongside Gastritis
While gastritis does not directly cause chills, their co-occurrence suggests an underlying systemic response or a separate condition. One scenario involves a more widespread infection, such as a severe H. pylori infection, which can lead to a broader immune reaction. In such cases, fever and chills can manifest as part of the body’s general fight against the infection.
Chills may also appear if severe complications arise from gastritis. Significant gastrointestinal bleeding can occur if the inflamed stomach lining develops ulcers, potentially leading to anemia. Anemia can cause a feeling of coldness or fatigue, which might be perceived as chills. A rare but serious complication, such as a stomach perforation, can lead to peritonitis—an infection of the abdominal cavity. This severe infection would trigger a systemic inflammatory response, including high fever and chills.
A person experiencing gastritis might simultaneously have another unrelated condition that causes chills. Common illnesses like the flu, other viral infections, or bacterial infections such as a urinary tract infection or pneumonia, frequently present with chills and fever. Gastroenteritis, often referred to as “stomach flu,” involves inflammation of both the stomach and intestines, and its symptoms frequently include fever, chills, and body aches, in addition to digestive upset. The presence of chills could point to a co-existing illness rather than gastritis itself.
When to Seek Medical Care
If you are experiencing chills alongside symptoms of gastritis, it is advisable to consult a healthcare professional. Persistent or severe chills, especially when accompanied by a high fever, are concerning signs that warrant prompt medical attention.
Other red flag symptoms that necessitate immediate evaluation include severe or worsening abdominal pain, vomiting blood, or passing black, tarry stools, which can indicate significant internal bleeding. Dizziness, shortness of breath, or unexplained weight loss in conjunction with gastritis symptoms and chills also signal a need for urgent medical assessment. These symptoms suggest a potentially more serious underlying condition or complication that requires a professional diagnosis and appropriate treatment.