What lifestyle modifications should I advise to a patient diagnosed with gastritis?

Guideline-aligned answer with reasoning, red flags and references. Clinically reviewed by Dr Kola Tytler MBBS CertHE MBA MRCGP.

Posted: 16 August 2025 Guideline-Aligned (High Confidence) Clinically Reviewed
Dr Kola Tytler MBBS CertHE MBA MRCGPClinical Lead • iatroX

While specific trial evidence for lifestyle modifications in gastritis is limited, expert opinion from guidelines on related conditions like dyspepsia and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) recommends these measures to encourage self-management and for general health benefits [1, 3, 4, NICE, 2019].

  • Dietary and Eating Habits
    • Advise the patient to eat smaller meals more frequently, approximately every 3 hours .
    • They should avoid eating late at night or less than 3 hours before bedtime ,.
    • Encourage healthy eating habits ,.
    • Suggest identifying and avoiding known irritants such as alcohol, caffeine, fruit juices, carbonated drinks, chocolate, and fatty and spicy foods ,.
    • Keeping a food diary can help identify specific triggers .
  • Smoking and Alcohol
    • Strongly advise stopping smoking, as it increases gastric acid output and delays gastric emptying [1, 2, 3, 4, NICE, 2019].
    • Recommend reducing alcohol consumption, as it can cause direct injury to the gastric mucosa ,,,.
  • Weight Management and Physical Activity
    • Advise maintaining a healthy weight and avoiding excessive weight gain ,.
    • Encourage regular physical activity ,.
  • Sleep Position
    • Suggest raising the head of their bed by 10–15 cm, which may be particularly helpful for nocturnal symptoms ,,.
    • They could also try to sleep on their left side rather than on the right side or supine .
  • Stress and Anxiety
    • Address any associated stress and anxiety, as psychological therapies may reduce dyspeptic symptoms in the short term [1, 3, 4, 6, NICE, 2019].
  • Medication Review
    • Review current medications and consider reducing or stopping those that may cause or worsen symptoms, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), calcium-channel antagonists, anticholinergics, antidepressants, nitrates, theophyllines, bisphosphonates, and corticosteroids ,,.

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