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K29.2 – Alcoholic Gastritis: Causes & Treatment
K29.2 is the ICD-10 code for alcoholic gastritis – an inflammation of the stomach lining caused by excessive alcohol consumption. Common symptoms include stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting.
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K29.2 is the ICD-10 code for alcoholic gastritis – an inflammation of the stomach lining caused by excessive alcohol consumption. Common symptoms include stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting.
What is K29.2 – Alcoholic Gastritis?
K29.2 is the diagnostic code under the ICD-10 (International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision) for alcoholic gastritis. This refers to an inflammation of the stomach lining (gastritis) caused by chronic or acute excessive alcohol consumption. Alcohol directly damages the protective lining of the stomach and stimulates excess stomach acid production, leading to irritation, inflammation, and in severe cases, bleeding.
Causes
The primary cause of alcoholic gastritis is alcohol consumption, particularly in large amounts or over an extended period of time. Key mechanisms include:
- Direct damage to the gastric mucosa by ethanol
- Increased gastric acid production, which further irritates the stomach lining
- Impairment of the mucosal barrier that protects the stomach wall
- Inflammatory responses triggered by cytokines and oxidative stress
- Contributing factors such as smoking, malnutrition, or concurrent use of NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)
Symptoms
Symptoms of alcoholic gastritis can appear acutely or develop over time. Common complaints include:
- Stomach pain or burning in the upper abdomen
- Nausea and vomiting, occasionally containing blood
- Loss of appetite and general malaise
- Belching and bloating
- Black, tarry stools (melena) as a sign of gastrointestinal bleeding
- In severe cases: vomiting blood (hematemesis)
Diagnosis
The diagnosis K29.2 is made by a physician, typically using the following assessments:
- Medical history: Questions about alcohol use, symptoms, and medication intake
- Gastroscopy (upper endoscopy): The most reliable method to assess the stomach lining; typical findings include redness, swelling, erosions, or bleeding
- Biopsy: Tissue sample taken during endoscopy for histological examination
- Blood tests: To check for anemia, inflammatory markers, or liver function
- Stool test: To detect occult (hidden) blood in the stool
Treatment
Treatment of alcoholic gastritis focuses both on addressing the underlying cause and relieving symptoms:
General Measures
- Alcohol abstinence: The most important and effective step to allow the stomach lining to heal
- Dietary changes: Easily digestible, stomach-friendly foods; avoiding spicy, fatty, or acidic foods
- Smoking cessation: Smoking further aggravates gastric mucosal damage
Medication
- Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) such as omeprazole: Reduce stomach acid production and promote mucosal healing
- H2 blockers: Also used to reduce gastric acid secretion
- Antacids: Provide quick relief from heartburn and acid-related discomfort
- Sucralfate: Forms a protective coating over the stomach lining
- In cases of bleeding: inpatient care and endoscopic hemostasis
Supportive Care
- For alcohol dependence: addiction counseling and medically supervised alcohol withdrawal
- Correction of vitamin deficiencies (especially vitamin B1/thiamine, folic acid) and electrolyte imbalances
Prognosis and Outlook
With consistent alcohol abstinence and appropriate treatment, alcoholic gastritis resolves in most cases within a few weeks. However, if alcohol consumption continues, the condition can progress to chronic gastritis, a peptic ulcer, or even gastric cancer. Early diagnosis and consistent treatment are therefore essential for a positive outcome.
References
- World Health Organization (WHO) – International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10th Revision (ICD-10), K29.2 Alcoholic Gastritis. Available at: www.who.int
- Laine L. – Gastrointestinal Bleeding Due to Gastric Erosions and Gastropathy. In: Feldman M. et al. (eds.), Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease, 11th Edition, Elsevier, 2021.
- Teyssen S., Singer M.V. – Alcohol-related diseases of the oesophagus and stomach. Best Practice & Research Clinical Gastroenterology, 2003; 17(4): 557–573. PubMed PMID: 12828954.
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