For several years I have suffered from abdominal discomfort and 'acidity' after meals. I recently had an endoscopy, which revealed I have gastritis. Could you give me some advice about how I might treat my condition naturally?
Liz McCullough

Gastritis is the medical term used to describe inflammation in the lining of the stomach. It is diagnosed through an examination called an endoscopy, in which a camera is used to inspect the upper digestive tract. During endoscopy, samples can be taken to test for the organism Helicobacter pylori. I suggest you check this with your doctor, as H pylori is a common (and treatable) cause of gastritis. Try taking a deglycyrrhizinated liquorice (DGL) supplement. This compound is believed to help build up the protective mucus coat (known as mucin) that lines the stomach and protects it from acid. In practice, I found that regular use of DGL reduces and may even stop the discomfort associated with gastritis. DGL is best had as a chewable tablet. The recommended dose is 250- 500mg, taken about 15 minutes before each meal.

If you have any issues you would like Dr Briffa to address in his column, please email him on john.briffa@observer.co.uk. Please note that Dr Briffa cannot enter into any correspondence. You can also visit www.drbriffa.com. Before following any recommendations in this column, you should consult your own medical adviser about any medical problems or special health conditions