Our lives are getting better, but our stomachs are getting worse. Statistics show that there are 500 million people suffering from stomach problems worldwide, with 120 million of them in China, making it a veritable "stomach disease superpower." In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the spleen is indispensable when discussing the stomach; the spleen and stomach are the "root" of health. If their functions are weak, many diseases can arise. I believe that maintaining health must begin with nourishing the spleen and stomach. A strong stomach leads to a strong body, while a weak stomach leads to a weak body. If we compare longevity to building a house, protecting the spleen and stomach is like laying the foundation. Without a solid foundation, no amount of nutritional supplements or health products will have a significant effect.
These behaviors can also harm the stomach.
1. Overeating at dinner
Some people tend to concentrate their daily nutritional intake on dinner, or like to eat late-night snacks or something before bed. Doing so not only causes poor sleep and can easily lead to obesity, but it can also stimulate the gastric mucosa, causing excessive gastric acid secretion and inducing ulcer formation.
2. Avoid wolfing down your food.
Food enters the stomach, where it is stored, ground, and digested, turning into chyme before being passed into the intestines. If food is not chewed thoroughly and is swallowed too quickly, it becomes coarse, increasing the burden on the stomach and prolonging its stay, which can damage the gastric mucosa. On the other hand, chewing slowly increases saliva secretion, while reducing the secretion of gastric acid and bile, which helps protect the stomach.
3. Avoid coffee and strong tea.
Both coffee and strong tea are central nervous system stimulants, which can reflexively cause ischemia of the gastric mucosa, thereby damaging the protective function of the gastric mucosa and promoting the occurrence of ulcers.
4. Avoid indiscriminate use of drugs.
There are three main categories of medications that can easily damage the gastric mucosa: first, acetylsalicylic acid derivatives, such as aspirin; second, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as phenylbutazone, indomethacin, and ibuprofen; and third, corticosteroids and other hormonal medications. Therefore, these medications should be avoided as much as possible. If they must be taken, the dosage and course of treatment should be controlled, and it is best to take them after meals.
Four ways to improve stomach health
1. Spinal pinching. Spinal pinching therapy is usually used for children, but it is equally effective for adults. It is suitable for patients with indigestion, bad breath, bloating, stomach pain, diarrhea, lethargy, and fatigue. Pinch 1-2 times a day, and you should see results after one week.
Instructions: First, gently massage the back several times to relax the muscles. Then, use your thumb, index, middle, and ring fingers to simultaneously pinch and lift the skin in the middle of the back, moving it along the spine from bottom to top, alternating hands in a forward kneading motion. Lift the skin once for every three pinches; this is called the "three-pinch-one-lift method." The amount of skin pinched and the force applied should be appropriate; do not twist the skin; and move in a straight line, not at an angle.
2. Rubbing the navel. Place the palm or heel of one hand on the navel, and the back of the other hand on the navel. Rub in a clockwise direction for about 5 minutes each time, 1-2 times a day. This method can warm the yang and dispel cold, replenish qi and blood, strengthen the spleen and stomach, and promote digestion. It is often used for patients with indigestion, cold stomach, abdominal distension, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and constipation.
3. Rub the lower abdomen. Place both hands firmly on either side of the navel and rub up and down until the abdomen feels warm. This method is suitable for patients with bloating and abdominal pain, and can be used 2-5 times daily. The Tianshu acupoint is located 2 inches to the side of the navel. This method can stimulate this acupoint and treat acute and chronic gastroenteritis and digestive disorders such as food stagnation, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation.
A hot compress with salt and fennel can be used to treat liver ailments and soothe the stomach.
Liver qi stagnation causing stomach pain is a common symptom among patients with stomach ailments. A hot compress with salt and fennel can be used. The method involves crushing 31 grams of fennel seeds and 16 grams of fennel seeds. Add one bowl of coarse salt (approximately 400-500 grams), and stir-fry the mixture in a pan until hot. Then, place the mixture in a cloth bag, wrap it in a towel, and apply it to the stomach and back while it is still hot. This can relax and soothe the spasmodic areas of the stomach, effectively relieving stomach qi stagnation and alleviating stomach pain.
