Digestive Health

Gastritis & Stomach Pain: UK Online Doctor Guide

5 min readLast reviewed 24 April 2026

Educational information — not medical advice.

This article was prepared by the OnlineDoctor24 editorial team and reviewed for factual accuracy against UK clinical guidance (NHS and NICE). It is not written by a doctor and does not replace personal medical advice. For symptoms specific to you, book an online doctor consultation.

Key points

  • Gastritis is inflammation of the stomach lining.
  • Causes: H. pylori, NSAIDs, alcohol, stress.
  • PPIs treat acid; H. pylori needs eradication therapy.
  • Persistent symptoms over 4 weeks need testing.
  • An online GP can arrange testing and prescribe.

Symptoms

  • Burning or gnawing upper abdominal pain.
  • Nausea, sometimes vomiting.
  • Feeling full quickly.
  • Bloating, indigestion.

Treatment

  • Stop NSAIDs if possible.
  • Reduce alcohol, smoking.
  • PPI for 4–8 weeks.
  • H. pylori eradication: triple therapy (PPI + 2 antibiotics for 7 days).

Red flags — when to seek urgent help

Call 999 or go to A&E if you experience any of the following:

  • Vomiting blood or coffee-ground vomit
  • Black tarry stools (melaena)
  • Unintentional weight loss
  • Severe persistent pain
  • Difficulty swallowing

Frequently asked questions

Common questions UK patients ask about gastritis.

How an online doctor can help

This article is for general information only and does not replace personal medical advice from a qualified doctor. Content is reviewed against UK NHS and NICE guidance by the OnlineDoctor24 editorial team and is not authored by a medical doctor. If your symptoms worsen or you are unsure, please book a consultation with a GMC-registered GP.

See a UK GP about this today

Same-day video or phone consultations with GMC-registered GPs. Prescriptions, sick notes and referrals when clinically appropriate.