Cancer of the antrum of the stomach: features of the disease. X-ray of the stomach and esophagus. Diagnosis of stomach anomalies and diseases using x-rays. Chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer of the stomach tumor in the picture Forms of the disease with special signs

The antrum of the stomach, or, as doctors also call it, the antrum, is a large area occupying 30% of the total area of ​​the stomach. It is located next to the duodenum, but they are separated by the pyloric sphincter (a muscular organ that provides one of the stages of peristalsis). The process of digesting food directly depends on the state of the antrum, since it is responsible for grinding the food consumed and moving it to the next section. In addition, a special mucus is synthesized in this section, which neutralizes hydrochloric acid. Thanks to this, the acid-base balance (balance) is constantly maintained in the stomach. This article will talk about what the antrum of the stomach is, where it is located and what diseases can affect it.

Where is the antrum of the stomach located and characteristics?

The antrum is located at the bottom of the stomach, right near the transition to the duodenum. It occupies about a third of its total volume. There is no consensus among doctors where there is a clear boundary between the antrum and the body of the stomach. Let's consider the main properties of this department. Food enters it in the form of a mass processed by gastric juice.

Next, this lump is crushed, ground and pushed further through the pyloric sphincter. Food particles at this stage should not be larger than 2 mm. Otherwise, they will not be able to go further and will be detained in the antrum, which can provoke illness.

Among others, one can highlight the property of the antrum to produce useful substances. These include gastrin, serotonin and somatostatin.

• Gastrin provokes increased production of enzymes. The need for this arises when there is increased pressure of food on the walls of the stomach.
• Serotonin is responsible for the motor activity of the organ, helping to push through crushed food.
• Somatostatin, unlike gastrin, reduces the production of enzymes. It is these substances that are responsible for the normal passage of food through the stomach and prevent the occurrence of diseases.

Where is the antrum located?

The human stomach consists of three sections, each of which differs in its functional and morphological characteristics. Let's consider them separately:

• body - considered one of the most important parts of the stomach, the surface is covered with characteristic longitudinal folds that facilitate the rapid movement of food;
• fundus - the section of the stomach that is closest to the esophagus;
• The antrum is an irreplaceable part of the organ responsible for the process of digesting food. Located next to the pylorus of the stomach.

In the area of ​​the fundus and body there are parietal cells that contribute to the production of internal factor or, as doctors also call it, Castle factor. The antrum contains the most bacteria Helicobacter pylori, so the development of gastritis in this area is usually accompanied by the formation of ulcers.

Physiological “duties” of the antrum

All functions of the antrum of the stomach are associated with the digestion process. Here's what happens:

• crushing food particles to 2 mm or less with simultaneous mixing, the result should be a homogeneous mass without separation of pieces;
• pushing the formed lump towards the pylorus and duodenum;
• preparation for further digestion in the intestine means a decrease in acidity, which was provided by the body of the stomach, because there must be an alkaline reaction in the small intestine, the maximum concentration of alkaline mucus is produced in the pyloric area;
• to eliminate hydrochloric acid in the cells of the mucous membrane there is a hormonal substance - gastrin, it is also called the “informant hormone”, since the action is associated with the transmission of an impulse to higher centers about the appearance of food;
• the production of serotonin allows for reliable evacuation of the food bolus by stimulating the muscular apparatus of the stomach;
• synthesis of somatostatin, which, if necessary, can suppress the secretion of enzymes.

Functions

Despite the established opinion, the active process of digestion does not take place in the antrum. The main task of the antrum is to form and push a bolus of food after it has been processed by gastric juice. For this purpose, mechanical mixing and grinding are used, which makes it possible for complete fermentation.

With active grinding of food waste, small particles no more than 0.2 cm in diameter are formed. After which the resulting porridge is pushed through the pyloric canal into the duodenum. Such movement is possible thanks to subtle antispasmodic contractions of the inner walls of the stomach.

Some of the areas of the antrum can perform a secretory function, which contributes to the production of such important trace elements as:

• Gastrin or hormonal feedback compound. Participates in the active regulation of the human digestive system and is formed as a result of pressure on the mucous surface.
• Serotonin. One of the main neurotransmitters that stimulates the activity of the motor system of the esophagus, including more efficient pushing of the food bolus. It has a stimulating effect on the muscle structure of the stomach.
• Somatostatin. A hormonal compound of the peptide group that helps inhibit the production of cells for the production of necessary enzymes. It also reduces the total amount of insulin in the blood and inhibits the production of growth hormone.

The mucous membranes of the antrum have an alkaline environment, which helps stabilize the balance of gastric juice. Also in this area, the harmful effects of certain bacteria are neutralized.

Causes of diseases of the antrum

Factors in the development of diseases of the antrum are varied. Let's divide them into several groups:

• hereditary predisposition;
• food errors (improper diet, consumption of carcinogens, irritation of the mucous membranes with spicy, canned food, carbonated drinks);
• bad habits (alcohol, smoking);
• infectious factor - Helicobacter pylori, Ebstein-Barr virus;
• psycho-emotional discomfort, chronic stress.

These reasons provoke an aggressive attitude towards the mucous membrane of the organ, impaired motor function and innervation. Active, young males are more often affected.

Antrum diseases

Most gastrointestinal problems appear as a result of poor nutrition or a person’s inattention to their health. Pathological processes in the digestive tract can be successfully treated at the initial stage, but become chronic if you do not consult a doctor in a timely manner. Diseases that result from antral dysfunction are described below.

Erosion

They are an inflammatory process in which the integrity of the mucous membrane is disrupted. With a prolonged course, damage to the deep layers or an ulcerative defect occurs. The root cause may be individual for each patient, however, among the most likely are the following:

• Stress, depression.
• Poor nutrition.
• Cardiovascular pathologies.
• Associated chronic processes in the stomach.
• Drug therapy with ulcerogenic effect.

The disease is easily eliminated with timely treatment. In this case, doctors distinguish four types of erosion:

• Chronic - diagnosed with destructive lesions of the mucous layer of the antrum, which are clearly visible during examination. Their size does not exceed 1 cm in diameter. Therapy is usually long-term.
• Acute - easily differentiated by a doctor by appearance. Treated with a short course.
• Hemorrhagic - lesions are pinpoint, small in diameter. Their color depends on the type of damaged vessel and can be scarlet or cherry color. Along with this, swelling of the mucous membrane may occur.
• Complete – affects a large surface, forms a black coating.

Polyps

Polyps are considered benign neoplasms of the glandular epithelium. The antrum accounts for 6 out of 10 gastric polyps. Polyps are characterized by both a solitary and colonial arrangement. According to the typology of polyps, they are divided into:

• Peutz-Jeghers polyps;
• inflammatory polyps;
• adenomas.

Usually the appearance is associated with a hereditary predisposition to them or the consequences of chronic gastritis of the antrum. The main contingent of patients are people of pre-retirement age and the elderly. Diagnosing polyps is not technically difficult. A simple gastroendoscope can determine their number, shape, etc. Only in severe cases of multiple polyps, surgery is prescribed. Most cases of treatment are treated with medication, taking into account the causes of its appearance and the symptoms that appear after the polyp. Their drugs for polyps are prescribed Motilium, Ranitidine, Phosphalugel, etc.

Gastritis of the antrum

One of the most common diseases of the antrum of the stomach is the so-called superficial gastritis.

It can occur regardless of a person’s age. This disease is an inflammatory process of the part of the gastric mucosa that covers the antrum. The reasons may be: prolonged stress, frequent overeating, drinking alcohol, spicy or sour foods. All this leads to a decrease in the acidity of gastric juice, which creates a favorable environment for the growth of bacteria. The main symptoms of antral gastritis include pain in the epigastric region, discomfort and heaviness in the stomach. These signs do not always force a person to see a doctor; many prefer self-medication. As a result, the disease progresses.

Atrophy of the gastric antrum mucosa

Atrophy of the antrum mucosa leads to a sharp decline in the functionality of the department, which is expressed by a number of clinical signs: diarrhea due to dysbacteriosis, intolerance to dairy products, constant flatulence and rumbling in the stomach. The patient feels an unpleasant taste in the mouth, heaviness is felt in the stomach area, but there is no sharp pain even on palpation. Typically, heaviness in the abdomen is accompanied by aching, mild pain.

In the treatment of mucosal atrophy, general means of treating stomach diseases are used, and specific drugs are also used: natural gastric juice and drugs to stimulate the secretion of hydrochloric acid.

Ulcer

Unfortunately, many people have had to deal with gastric ulcers, but often this pathology affects the antrum of the organ. The main factors that can provoke the development of pathology include severe stress, hormonal imbalance, diseases of the cardiovascular system, blood diseases, etc. Blood in the stool, constant heartburn, nausea and pain in the abdomen - all this may indicate that you have an ulcer.

Hyperplasia

This is the name for a pathological increase in cell growth, which leads to a change in their functional ability and neoplasms. The antrum is the lower part of the stomach, which bears a fairly heavy load.

Often, in the presence of concomitant pathologies, the mucous membrane grows, revealing multiple small growths. Provoking factors include:

• Hormonal imbalances.
• Infectious diseases.
• Exposure to carcinogens or toxic substances.
• Prolonged inflammation.
• Hereditary predisposition.
• Secretory function disorders.

Oncology

A certain percentage of neoplasms are malignant in nature. The following symptoms will help you suspect cancer:

• Dramatic weight loss.
• Systematic vomiting.
• Aversion to protein foods.
• Soreness after eating.

More often, life-threatening consequences result from polyps, erosions and ulcers that were not eliminated at the initial stage of development. The prognosis of treatment depends on the detected phase of the cancer, as well as the presence of metastases. Modern medicine continues to search for effective drugs in this area and improve methods of radiation and radiotherapy, however, not a single approach provides a 100% guarantee.

Cancer tumor

Cancer (cancer in Latin or abbreviated as c-r) of the antrum accounts for up to 70% of malignant tumors of the stomach. There are:

• adenocarcinoma - formed from glandular cells, the most common tumor (90%);
• solid cancer is a rare neoplasm, the structure is not related to glandular elements;
• scirrhus cancer is an even rarer form, formed from connective tissue.

Specifics of antral cancer localization:

• infiltrative growth without the formation of clear boundaries;
• aggressive course with rapid metastasis;
• frequent relapses after gastric resection.

Diagnostic methods

🚫 If you suspect the development of pathological processes, you must urgently contact a treating specialist who will prescribe diagnostic examinations. Early diagnosis will help avoid serious complications.

At the first stage of the examination, the doctor collects the patient’s indicative complaints, including anamnesis and information about relatives. Further laboratory tests are aimed at detecting anemia, deficiency episodes, as well as involvement of nearby organs.

The most effective instrumental diagnosis is fibroesophagogastroduodenoscopy (FEGDS), which allows you to assess the condition of the stomach using a special hose and camera.

Additional procedures may also be prescribed:

• breath test for Helicobacter pylori;
• detailed analysis of stool and urine;
• enzyme-linked immunosorbent test (ELISA);
• X-ray analysis.

If the patient’s symptoms are specific to certain diseases, the doctor may prescribe other tests aimed at diagnosing certain organs or body systems.

Treatment options

The type of therapy will directly depend on the diagnosis. Treatment can be carried out in two directions. These are conservative methods (taking medications, physiotherapy, sanatorium courses) and surgical intervention.

Drug treatment of antrum diseases is complex and long-term. If the presence of an infectious agent is confirmed, then a regimen of several antibiotics must be prescribed to suppress Helicobacter. Drugs from the Tetracycline group, Metranidazole, and Clarithromycin are active against bacteria. Related funds include:

• Proton pump inhibitors are aimed at reducing the secretion of hydrochloric acid - Pantoprazole.
• Enveloping agents - antacids Phosphalugel, Almagel, Maalox protect the gastric mucosa from the effects of an aggressive acidic environment and have an analgesic effect.
• Gastroprotective agents promote the regeneration of the affected gastric wall - preparations of aluminum (Almagel) and bismuth (De-nol, Pilorid).
• Depending on the accompanying symptoms, symptomatic drugs are added to treatment - antiemetics, enzymes, antispasmodics, prokinetics, sedatives, probiotics.

🔥 Operative methods of therapy are used for voluminous formations and severe complications.

Regime measures play an important role. The patient is required to change his lifestyle and habits:

• therapeutic nutrition;
• giving up alcohol and smoking;
• creating psycho-emotional comfort;
• physical peace.

The duration of drug therapy is 1-1.5 months. Follow a strict diet for up to 2 weeks. If the disease becomes chronic, then therapy is periodic, lifelong.

The human stomach is a digestive reservoir, bounded on one side by the duodenum and on the other side by the esophagus. Being part of the digestive tube of endodermal origin, the stomach begins to separate early during human embryonic development. The volume of an unfilled stomach does not exceed 500 ml; when filled with food, it can increase the volume to 4 liters. When the food mass arrives, mechanical processing continues and the chemical process of food digestion begins.

The stomach can be divided into several parts according to its structural and functional characteristics:

• cardiac section with the function of receiving food from the esophagus;
• the main part, the functions of which are determined by the basic functionality of the stomach;
• pyloric region, which has a pylorus and an antrum (antrum).

The antrum of the stomach makes up approximately 30% of the total volume of the empty stomach, and it is not possible to draw a clear anatomical boundary between the antrum and the main part of the digestive organ.

The antrum is highlighted in green.

The specific function of the antrum is to finally grind food into a pulp state so that the maximum size of a food particle is no more than 2 mm. During mechanical grinding there is also constant mixing of food. After receiving a portion of uniform consistency, the food mass rushes through the pyloric sphincter and undergoes further processing in the duodenum.

The mechanical function of the antrum is not the only one. If the main section of the stomach produces more hydrochloric acid, then the task of the antrum is reduced to neutralizing acidity by producing alkaline mucus, concentrated in the pylorus area. This action is necessary to prepare the food mass for processing in an alkaline environment that will be created in the duodenum. The transition from acidic contents to an alkaline environment should not be too abrupt.

Another function of the antrum should be considered endocrine: individual cells produce the hormone gastrin, which has an effect on hydrochloric acid.

Insufficient gastric peristalsis contributes to food stagnation, fermentation and rotting, which causes the acidity of the environment to increase to a greater extent. The gastric mucosa is designed for a certain acidity level, corresponding to the normal production of hydrochloric acid by the parietal cells. When acidity increases, the mucous membrane is destroyed, which is accompanied by diseases of the entire digestive system of varying degrees of severity. If the effect of too acidic gastric juice is not stopped in a timely manner, the pathological condition becomes chronic.

Diseases of the antrum of the stomach

The most common cause of the occurrence and development of diseases of the stomach and all its parts is the presence of a pathogenic bacterium - Helicobacter pylori. This is a gram-negative type of bacteria, often found in the cavity of the stomach and duodenum, causing ulcerative conditions of the digestive organs, gastritis, and duodenitis. Helicobacter pylori has been proven to be involved in carcinoma and lymphoma of the antrum and pylorus.

The pathogenic effect of Helicobacter pylori is based on its penetration into the gastric environment and, during its “permanent residence” in the glandular epithelium, the release of ammonia, which causes frequent excessive neutralization of the acidic environment with ammonium hydroxide. Ammonia is obtained as a result of the chemical transformation of urea, an enzymatic start for which the products secreted by Helicobacter pylori are used. Bacteria, multiplying, form a large lesion of the mucous membrane, leading to an inflammatory process and ulceration.

Gastritis

Provoking factors for the disease are:

With gastritis of the antrum, signs are found:

• stomach cramps that go away after eating;
• unpleasant sensations in the epigastric region, accompanied by nausea, attacks of vomiting, and unpleasant belching;
• deviation of stomach acidity from normal and heartburn;
• the appearance of foreign taste and bad breath;
• deviation from normal bowel movements (constipation or diarrhea);
• impaired digestion of food;
• gastric bleeding in the final stages of development.

If you do not consult a doctor in a timely manner, persistent destructive and degenerative diseases develop. metamorphoses leading to chronic pathologies and cancer.

Gastritis differs not only in the nature of its course (acute and chronic), but also in the type of destructive disorders. There are:

1. Superficial gastritis of the antrum. Based on the name of the variety, the lesion is shallow, only the upper layers of the mucosa are affected, leaving the deeper layers unaffected. Destructive metamorphoses consist in the thinning of the mucous membrane of the antrum, in which hydrochloric acid, mucus, and hormones are produced, but in insufficient quantities. Scar connective tissue is not observed during remission of the disease, therefore, in another classification, the form of gastritis is known as “atrophic”.
2. The erosive form of gastritis involves the penetration of the bacterium Helicobacter pylori. With its active action, ulcerative erosions are formed in the antrum mucosa. Vomit and feces contain signs of blood, so the form is otherwise called hemorrhagic. Large blood loss can cause the most life-threatening outcome of the disease.
3. Atrophic gastritis of the antrum occurs in a chronic manner. Atrophy of the mucous membrane occurs in a chronic manner and is called a precancer condition. The atrophic type of gastritis is often accompanied by intestinal metaplasia and sigmoid dysplasia.

With all types of antral gastritis, there is a violation of the duodenum - bulbitis, which occurs due to the reflux of an excess amount of hydrochloric acid into the intestinal cavity. The bulbar part of the intestine, the bulb, is usually affected by inflammation.

Treatment of gastritis is complex; it must necessarily include antibiotics to destroy Helicobacter pylori, agents that reduce irritation of the mucous membrane, and antispasmodics. It is also important to normalize the patient’s diet.

Ulcers

Stomach ulcers account for approximately one-fifth of all ulcerative conditions in the body. Distinctive symptoms are the acidic nature of the vomit, increased acidity in the stomach, and frequent reflux of hydrochloric acid into the esophagus, causing heartburn. Since the pathogenesis of the disease is diverse, the choice of a single treatment method that is universal for all types of disease is wrong. When choosing the main method of treatment, one should not shy away from other methods that will complement the treatment of a dangerous pathology.

During the period of acute ulceration, it is necessary to adhere to all areas of complex treatment:

• healthy lifestyle, giving up bad habits;
• balanced nutrition with adherence to a diet;
• physiotherapeutic procedures;
• drug treatment;
• the right psychological attitude.

Sometimes these methods alone are not enough, and severe forms of ulcers must be treated with a radical method.

Polyps

Polyps are considered benign neoplasms of the glandular epithelium. The antrum accounts for 6 out of 10 gastric polyps. Polyps are characterized by both a solitary and colonial arrangement. According to the typology of polyps, they are divided into:

• Peutz-Jeghers polyps;
• inflammatory polyps;
• adenomas.

Usually the appearance of polyps is associated with a hereditary predisposition to them or the consequences of chronic gastritis of the antrum. The main contingent of patients are people of pre-retirement age and the elderly. Diagnosing polyps is not technically difficult. A simple gastroendoscope can determine their number, shape, etc. Only in severe cases of multiple polyps, surgery is prescribed. Most cases of treatment are treated with medication, taking into account the causes of its appearance and the symptoms that appear after the polyp. Their drugs for polyps are prescribed Motilium, Ranitidine, Phosphalugel, etc.

Erosion

When the integrity of the mucous membrane changes, they speak of erosion, which are the initial stages of peptic ulcers. It is not easy to identify a clear cause of erosion in each specific case. Provoking factors may include poor diet, cardiovascular diseases, chronic stomach pathologies, and taking medications that are aggressive to the gastric mucosa. Timely treatment of erosion prevents the development of more severe conditions. Types of erosion can be as follows:

• the chronic form of erosion as a diagnosis is differentiated upon detection of destructive visible lesions in the mucous membrane of the antrum of the stomach, if they do not exceed a diameter of 1 cm. Treatment of this type lasts for a long time. The accumulation of spots of the affected mucosa in the form of octopus suckers is a characteristic type of the chronic form;
• an acute type of erosion can be cured within a ten-day course. The surface layer of cells may be absent; destructive spots are characterized by border compactions;
• the hemorrhagic type of erosion in the picture looks like a dotted image when pricked with needles. The size of the affected structure does not exceed 1 mm. The color of the spots depends on the type of blood vessel under the affected area: venous arterioles give a rich cherry color, arterial arterioles give a scarlet color. Usually the color varies within the area of ​​erosion. The mucus in the antrum may be bloody and the mucous membrane may be swollen;
• the full type of erosion involves folds, forming a black coating. Covering polyps with black is not excluded. Foci of erosion are found on the crest of the fold.

Cancer

External signs of stomach cancer manifest themselves in a person’s sudden weight loss, systematic vomiting after eating food, intolerance to protein foods, and pain after eating. Stomach cancer develops in place of untreated polyps, erosions and ulcers. Treatment of gastric carcinoma takes into account the extent of the lesion, its focus, stage, the presence of metastases and the age of the patient. The list of leading methods of treating stomach cancer includes radical, chemotherapy, and radiological. 9 out of 10 patients with dangerous stomach disease are completely cured in the first stage of cancer. The prognosis for malignant neoplasms in the antrum of the stomach at the next two stages depends on the presence of metastases. The fourth stage of cancer, when metastases penetrate to distant organs, has the most negative prognosis, although with the complete destruction of malignant cells (which is extremely difficult!) the prognosis improves.

The danger of cancer is also associated with its recurrence after surgery in the same area.

Atrophy of the gastric antrum mucosa

Atrophy of the antrum mucosa leads to a sharp decline in the functionality of the department, which is expressed by a number of clinical signs: diarrhea due to dysbacteriosis, intolerance to dairy products, constant flatulence and rumbling in the stomach. The patient feels an unpleasant taste in the mouth, heaviness is felt in the stomach area, but there is no sharp pain even on palpation. Typically, heaviness in the abdomen is accompanied by aching, mild pain.

In the treatment of mucosal atrophy, general means of treating stomach diseases are used, and specific drugs are also used: natural gastric juice and drugs to stimulate the secretion of hydrochloric acid.

Gastropathy of the antrum mucosa

This type of pathology accompanies chronic forms of gastritis and is not an independent disease according to the medical classifier. The mucous membrane of the entire antrum becomes covered with redness, which is why it is often called erythematous gastropathy. Massive redness of the antrum mucosa has the same causes as the disease itself. Doctors ascertain the condition of the mucous membrane as an endoscopic finding.

When eliminating provoking factors, antacids and (or) astringent drugs are prescribed. The radical method of treating antral gastropathy is surgery.

The antrum of the stomach, or, as doctors also call it, the antrum, is a large area occupying 30% of the total area of ​​the stomach. It is located next to the duodenum, but they are separated by the pyloric sphincter (a muscular organ that provides one of the stages of peristalsis). The process of food digestion directly depends on the state of the antrum, since he is responsible for grinding the consumed products and moving it to the next department. In addition, a special mucus is synthesized in this section, which neutralizes hydrochloric acid. Thanks to this, the acid-base balance (balance) is constantly maintained in the stomach. This article will talk about what the antrum of the stomach is, where it is located and what diseases can affect it.

Antrum of the stomach - where is it located?

Active digestion of food does not occur in this department, as some people may mistakenly assume. The main task of the antrum is to form a food bolus from food processed under the influence of gastric juice. To create a bolus, the contents of the stomach are thoroughly mixed and ground, which allows the stomach enzymes to finish their work. During food processing, small particles with a diameter of less than 2 mm appear. Mucus is secreted by epithelial cells, which reduces the activity of hydrochloric acid. This mucus is necessary for the normal functioning of stomach enzymes, but it can also harm the small intestine, which has a slightly alkaline environment than the stomach.

Later, the resulting pulp passes through the cavity of the pyloric sphincter into the human small intestine. This pushing is ensured by slight antispasmodic contractions of the gastric walls. Thanks to secretory functions, some antrum cells can synthesize certain substances onto the surface of the stomach.

Substances produced include:

The antrum plays an important role in the digestive process, so it is necessary to take various preventive measures that can prevent diseases of the antrum.

Where is the antrum located?

The human stomach consists of three sections, each of which differs in its functional and morphological characteristics. Let's consider them separately:

• body– considered one of the most important parts of the stomach, the surface is covered with characteristic longitudinal folds that facilitate the rapid movement of food;
• bottom– the section of the stomach that is closest to the esophagus;
• antrum- an irreplaceable part of the organ responsible for the process of digesting food. Located next to the pylorus of the stomach.

In the area of ​​the fundus and body there are parietal cells that contribute to the production of internal factor or, as doctors also call it, Castle factor. The antrum contains the most bacteria Helicobacter pylori, so the development of gastritis in this area is usually accompanied by the formation of ulcers.

Antrum diseases

There are many different pathologies affecting the antrum of the stomach. Some of them are viral in nature, others are bacterial. Let's look at the most common of them.

Table. Major diseases of the stomach.

Of course These are not all diseases that affect the antrum, since there are a lot of them. When the first suspicious symptoms appear, you should not self-medicate. In such cases, you should immediately consult a doctor for a diagnostic examination. Timely treatment of a particular disease will prevent the progression of the disease.

Causes

All of the above diseases have one thing in common - the most common reason for their development is infection of the patient’s body with Helicobacter, for which the antrum is considered an excellent place for development. The bacterium enters the body through the oral cavity, but only when it enters the stomach, having found convenient conditions for localization, it begins to act actively. This bacterium is not afraid of the effects of gastric juice, neutralizing it independently with the help of secreted enzymes.

On a note! Doctors note the connection between damage to the antrum of the stomach and diseases of the genitourinary system, heart, lungs and bronchi, and endocrine organs. It is worth noting that the presence of chronic infectious diseases can also cause stomach damage. This includes adnexitis, caries, sinusitis, tonsillitis.

Diagnostic features

At the first suspicion of a disease of the antrum of the stomach, you should consult a doctor for a diagnostic examination. This will help determine the disease and the severity of damage to the patient’s internal organs. The main diagnostic methods include:

• fibrogastroduodenoscopy (FGDS);
• enzyme immunoassay blood test;
• urease breath test;
• laboratory analysis of stool.

Diagnosing stomach cancer based on the first symptoms

To identify the presence of decaying formations or bleeding ulcers on the walls of the stomach, it is necessary to testing the patient's stool for occult blood. When diagnosing, many specialists perform an x-ray analysis, which can be used to detect the presence of polyps, cancer or antrum ulcers. The presence of pathologies may be indicated by altered contours, excess or deficiency of tissue, and folding of the walls of the organ.

Treatment options

Depending on the disease, the doctor prescribes a specific course, because there must be an individual approach to therapy. First of all, the patient must give up bad habits for the period of treatment, and in some cases for the rest of his life. This also applies to proper nutrition, so you will need to exclude junk food from your diet. The diet should be moderately strict, without breaks and without the use of hot seasonings and spices.

To stabilize the acidity of the stomach, doctors prescribe enveloping drugs, the most effective of which are Hefal, Denol and Almagel. If the patient has a chronic form of the pathology, then therapy should be aimed at eliminating the original source of the disease, that is, Helicobacter. For this purpose, a course of eradication therapy using antibacterial drugs is used.

During the recovery period after illness, doctors prescribe wound-healing medications:

• "Gastrofarm";
• "Solcoseryl".

On a note! When treating a gastric ulcer, it is extremely important to make sure that there are no signs of internal bleeding and symptoms of tissue degeneration. If no signs were detected and the disease proceeds well, doctors prescribe a physiotherapeutic treatment method (phonophoresis, electrophoresis, etc.).

In rare cases, doctors are forced to resort to surgery. As a rule, surgery is required when:

• cancer formation;
endoscopic laser coagulation, with which you can quickly stop internal bleeding and remove polyps if they have formed in a single order. If a patient has been diagnosed with cancer, doctors use radiation treatment and chemotherapy. The patient may also be prescribed vitamins and immunomodulators to strengthen the immune system. In such cases, herbal decoctions can also be used, but on the condition that before treatment all actions are agreed upon with the attending physician.

It is much easier to prevent stomach diseases than to cure them. This applies to absolutely all its departments, including the antrum. As a rule, prevention consists of regular examination by doctors in order to identify possible disorders in the early stages of development. We are talking about specialized specialists, that is, you need to contact not a therapist, but, for example, a gastroenterologist.

There are also other preventive measures, including:

• healthy and balanced diet. First of all, all harmful foods (fried, fatty, spicy foods) should be excluded from the diet. The quantity of some products needs to be reduced. This applies to sweets, coffee, carbonated drinks. Add more vegetables and fruits, lean meats and fish to your diet. This will help improve the functioning of the digestive system;
• avoid stressful situations. If you work in a stressful job, change it;
• give up smoking and other bad habits, which negatively affect the health of the gastrointestinal tract and the entire body as a whole;
• all gastrointestinal pathologies must be treated on time, that is, as they appear. You cannot ignore the symptoms of a particular disease and let everything take its course. This can lead to serious complications.

If you follow all these recommendations, you can prevent diseases not only of the stomach or its antrum, but also pathologies of the entire gastrointestinal tract. And constant adherence to a diet will allow you to get rid of extra pounds (if any) and tone your body.

For humans, the successful functioning of the digestive system is of great importance and the antrum of the stomach occupies a special position in it. The functioning of all organs of the gastrointestinal tract depends on its normal functioning. It weakens the effect of hydrochloric acid and achieves acid-base balance.

What is the stomach?

The organ is part of the digestive tract, which is an expanded hollow muscle tissue. The function is to grind food into a pulp and push it further through the digestive system. The glands of the department synthesize mucus, which protects the walls of the stomach from the negative effects of hydrochloric acid. Individual cells that synthesize and release microelements to the surface have a secretory function.

Where is the digestive organ located?

Located in the upper part of the abdominal cavity under the diaphragm and left hypochondrium. Conventionally divided into two sections:

• The upper proximal, which includes the cardiac zone (), bottom or fornix.
• The lower distal is the pyloric section, which includes the antrum of the stomach and the pylorus, where the sphincter is located.

Causes and symptoms of common illnesses

Pathology of the digestive system leads to slowdown, stagnation and fermentation of food. As a result of this process, the production of hydrochloric acid increases, which has a long-term effect on the gastric mucosa. If measures are not taken to prevent these phenomena, they can transform into chronic diseases of the antrum. The main reasons include smoking, alcohol, poor diet, stress, and infections. A common cause of diseases of the stomach and its parts is the presence of Helicobacter pylori.

The occurrence of pain means the presence of a disease. Based on the location and nature of the symptoms, one can assume the development of pathology:

• The formation of an ulcer or inflammation of the stomach walls is indicated by painful phenomena in the upper part of the peritoneum. Additionally, nausea and vomiting may occur.
• Gastritis is accompanied by pain in the left hypochondrium.
• Frequent heartburn is a sign of gastritis with high acidity.
• Continuous pain accompanies cancer or polyps.

To reduce stomach pain, you should not use a heating pad. Heat can really reduce pain, but in some diseases (purulent inflammatory processes, bleeding) it can speed up the process and worsen the condition.

Stomach polyps

Benign formation from epithelial tissue cells.

The disease is widespread. Formation occurs without symptoms. It is discovered by chance during examination of another pathology. The neoplasm is benign. The cause is gastritis, Helicobacter pylori infection, and heredity. It most often affects people over 50 years of age.

There are two types of polyps:

• . This polyp is formed by uncontrolled division of the epithelium. Polyps are not true tumors and they practically do not develop into malignant formations.
• Adenomatous. They are formed from glandular cells and form a benign neoplasm, with a high probability of transformation into a low-quality one.

How do gastritis manifest?

The disease is accompanied by inflammatory processes of the mucous membranes. Gastritis can be acute or chronic, with high, normal or low acidity. Signs of the disease include worsening digestion, heartburn, bloating, and bad breath. The main cause of disorders is considered to be Helicobacter pylori infection. The diagnosis is made by endoscopic examination. Therapy comes down to fighting the pathogens, taking enzymes and a special diet.

Erosion of the mucous membrane

Untimely treatment can cause ulcer formation.

The disease is expressed by damage to the membrane. Erosion is a sign of an impending ulcer. Accompanied by the appearance of pathologies in the form of swelling and redness of the membrane, small growths, flat formations surrounded by a narrow rim or bordered by small red dots. The disease can have an acute and sluggish form. The chronic course requires special attention. This is due to the appearance of bleeding.