Yes, bile acid in the stomach can certainly cause or worsen the gastritis. In fact, studies show that chronic exposure to bile salts is almost as damaging as taking a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory. If the case is truly bile acid reflux (diagnosed via endoscopy, radionuclide scanning, or measuring bile salts in the gastric fluid), then surgery may be considered to treat this. Success rates range from 50 to 90 percent.
There are also some small studies with medications used to treat this. This can include Ursodiol, Sucralfate or Cholestyramine.
You may want to discuss these options with your personal physician.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Kevin, M.D.
Medical Weblog:
kevinmd_b
My understanding is that Bile seen on endoscopy, it is not a reliable guide to bile reflux. The act of putting an endoscope into the stomach causes mechanical bile reflux that is not the same as spontaneous bile reflux.
In other words, endoscopy is not a reliable tool to diagnose bile reflux.