Q The endoscopy says it's only "mild superficial gastritis," but I have burning and epigastric pain every day. My symptoms are worse than the test shows—can Korean medicine help?
A It is very common for endoscopy findings and actual symptoms not to match. Functional problems where stomach motility and sensation have become hypersensitive account for a large part, and this is an area where Korean medicine shows its strength.
Detailed Answer
Many people are diagnosed with "superficial gastritis" or "mild gastritis" yet have severe symptoms. This is because the degree of mucosal damage and the pain and discomfort the patient feels are not necessarily proportional. When functional factors such as reduced gastric motility or heightened sensation are involved, you feel much more discomfort from the same damage.
Korean Medicine Clinic Perspective
Korean medicine is well-versed in addressing "functional imbalance" beyond structural damage. We regard it as an important treatment goal to help the stomach send food down in time and to calm the oversensitive stomach sensation, thereby reducing the discomfort the patient actually feels.
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