Emphysematous gastritis: Causes, treatment, and more Health ConditionsHealth ConditionsAlzheimer's & DementiaAnxietyArthritisAsthma & AllergiesBreast CancerCancerCardiovascular HealthCOVID-19Dermatology & SkincareDiabetesEnvironment & SustainabilityExercise & FitnessEye HealthHeadache & MigraineHealth EquityHIV & AIDSHuman BiologyInflammatory Bowel DiseaseLeukemiaLGBTQIA+Men's HealthMental HealthMultiple Sclerosis (MS)NutritionParkinson's DiseasePsoriasisSexual HealthWomen's HealthDiscoverNewsLatest NewsOriginal SeriesMedical MythsHonest NutritionThrough My EyesNew Normal HealthPodcastsHow to understand chronic painWhat is behind vaccine hesitancy?The amazing story of hepatitis C, from discovery to cureNew directions in dementia researchCan psychedelics rewire a depressed, anxious brain?Why climate change matters for human healthToolsGeneral HealthDrugs A-ZHealth HubsHealth ToolsBMI Calculators and ChartsBlood Pressure Chart: Ranges and GuideBreast Cancer: Self-Examination GuideSleep CalculatorHealth ProductsAffordable Therapy OptionsBlood Pressure MonitorsDiabetic SuppliesFitness TrackersHome GymsGreen Cleaning ProductsHow to Shop for CBDQuizzesRA Myths vs FactsType 2 Diabetes: Managing Blood SugarAnkylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or FictionConnectAbout Medical News TodayWho We AreOur Editorial ProcessContent IntegrityConscious LanguageNewslettersSign UpFollow UsMedical News TodayHealth ConditionsDiscoverToolsConnectSubscribe What to know about emphysematous gastritisMedically reviewed by Youssef (Joe) Soliman, MD — By Zawn Villines on June 29, 2022Emphysematous gastritis refers to inflammation in the stomach or gas in the wall of the stomach. Emphysematous gastritis occurs when organisms that produce gas colonize the stomach and digestive tract. Long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or corticosteroids, as well as medical conditions, such as kidney disease, diabetes, alcoholism, and recent stomach surgery, increase the risk. A 2020 paper reports that it is very rare, with just 59 cases reported in the English language medical literature through 2014. For this reason, there is no standard treatment. Supportive care, including antibiotics and sometimes surgery, increases survival. The condition can be very dangerous, with a death rate of around 60%. People with emphysematous gastritis require emergency treatment. Read on to learn more about emphysematous gastritis, including the causes, symptoms, and treatment. What is it Share on PinterestJasmin Merdan/Getty ImagesGastritis refers to inflammation in the stomach lining. Multiple underlying causes for this are possible, and the condition may have links to pain. Emphysematous gastritis means that there is gas in the wall of the stomach. Doctors may also call it gastric pneumatosis. There may also be gas in the veins surrounding the stomach. This increases the risk of death to 75%. Microorganisms that produce gas cause the gas in the stomach. Some common species involved include various types of Streptococcus bacteria, Escherichia coli, and sometimes yeast. People with emphysematous gastritis typically have systemic illnesses, not just stomach problems. The condition can affect the heart, lungs, circulation, and organs such as the kidneys and liver. However, gastric emphysema is distinct from emphysematous gastritis. The former is usually benign and occurs when there is gas in the stomach wall, while emphysematous gastritis develops when an infection causes the gas. Causes Emphysematous gastritis occurs when microorganisms that release gas colonize the lining of the stomach. This can happen when the organisms enter through an injury in the stomach wall. Therefore, stomach injuries from surgery, excessive drinking, ulcers, or infections are major risk factors. A person is more likely to develop emphysematous gastritis if they have certain comorbidities, such as diabetes, alcoholism, or recent stomach surgery. Drugs that increase the risk of ulcers and stomach bleeding, such as NSAIDs, can also elevate the risk. However, this is a rare condition that even people with many risk factors do not usually develop. Symptoms The symptoms of emphysematous gastritis are nonspecific. They commonly occur with many different illnesses, and the absence of some symptoms does not mean a person does not have emphysematous gastritis. Some common symptoms include: having signs of systemic illness, such as rapid heart rate and low blood pressurefeeling very sick stomach pain that gets progressively worse and leads to severe illnessvomiting, nausea, and diarrhea signs of organ failure People who have intense unexplained stomach pain that does not quickly get better or leads to other symptoms, such as a rapid heart rate, should contact a doctor or seek emergency care. Symptoms typically worsen very quickly without treatment and may become life threatening. Diagnosis Doctors cannot diagnose emphysematous gastritis according to symptoms alone. This is because its symptoms are nonspecific and could indicate various medical conditions. This means that a doctor may recommend imaging scans of the stomach if a person has intense stomach pain along with risk factors for serious illness. A CT scan usually shows gas in the stomach. It may also indicate gas in the surrounding veins and looping or obstruction of the intestines. Cultures of fluid from the stomach may reveal the presence of bacteria that release gas. Additionally, blood work may reveal signs of inflammation but may not show other specific signs. Treatment There is no standardized treatment because emphysematous gastritis is so rare. Before 2000, doctors often recommended surgery to look for injuries and remove blockages and damaged tissue. However, a 2020 paper reports that the decrease in surgeries for emphysematous gastritis also correlates with a decrease in deaths. Surgery for this condition can pose risks, especially since people who experience it may be older or have multiple health issues. Newer evidence suggests that a person may have better outcomes with conservative treatment that monitors and manages symptoms as they arise. For example, a 2019 case series detailed the history of three people with emphysematous gastritis. Doctors gave all three proton pump inhibitor drugs, intravenous fluids, and antibiotics while monitoring them in the hospital. All three avoided eating or drinking during treatment, and they all survived, despite being older adults with several comorbidities. An older 2013 paper points to a few absolute indications for surgery, including intestinal strictures, which are narrowed portions of the intestines, and perforations in the intestines or stomach. Risk factors Emphysematous gastritis is extremely rare, and doctors have identified some risk factors and comorbidities that tend to occur with this condition. However, they do not know why some people develop the condition and why most do not. Even those with many risk factors are unlikely to develop emphysematous gastritis. Some risk factors include: alcohol addiction diabetes kidney failurerecent surgery on the stomach or nearby structureslong-term use of corticosteroidslong-term use of NSAIDsdrinking corrosive substancesgastroenteritis Additionally, people who develop emphysematous gastritis often have several comorbidities. Outlook The outlook for emphysematous gastritis is typically not good. A diagnosis leads to death in nearly 60% of these cases. Many have underlying medical conditions that make recovery difficult and surgery dangerous. However, emerging research suggests that conservative medical management, especially when a person seeks early treatment, may improve the chances of survival. In a 2019 case series, all three patients survived with conservative management. This suggests the outlook may improve with appropriate early care. Summary Emphysematous gastritis is a serious, life threatening condition that requires immediate medical care. Around 60% of people with this condition do not survive, but prompt care can increase survival rates. People with intense stomach pain following a medical procedure or injury, or those who experience stomach symptoms with comorbidities, such as diabetes, should seek medical attention promptly. If the pain is intense or a person feels very sick, they should go to the emergency room. Last medically reviewed on June 29, 2022GastroIntestinal / Gastroenterologygastric 6 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.Gastritis and gastropathy. (n.d.). https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/gastritis-gastropathyNasser, H., et al. (2019). Emphysematous gastritis: A case series of three patients managed conservatively. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6796715/Paul, M., et al. Successful medical management of emphysematous gastritis with concomitant portal venous air: A case report. https://jmedicalcasereports.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1752-1947-4-140Riaz, S., et al. (2020). Emphysematous gastritis: A real indication for emergent surgical intervention? https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7228801/Singh, K., et al. (2019). Emphysematous gastritis associated with Sarcina ventriculi.https://www.karger.com/Article/Fulltext/499446Szuchmacher, M., et al. (2013). Is surgical intervention avoidable in cases of emphysematous gastritis? A case presentation and literature review.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3731705FEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Youssef (Joe) Soliman, MD — By Zawn Villines on June 29, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? Their unusually large neuronsOmega-3 may provide a brain boost for people in midlifeSeasonal affective disorder (SAD): How to beat it this fall and winterCDC: Monkeypox in the US 'unlikely to be eliminated in the near future'Why are more women prone to Alzheimer's? New clues arise Related CoverageGastritis vs. gastroenteritisMedically reviewed by Saurabh Sethi, M.D., MPH Gastritis and gastroenteritis are two different conditions, affecting different parts of the digestive system. Learn more.READ MOREWhat to know about cholecystitisMedically reviewed by Saurabh Sethi, M.D., MPH Cholecystitis is acute or chronic inflammation of the gallbladder that usually occurs due to a gallstone getting stuck in the opening. 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