Turn on the TV, unfold the newspaper, and we're bombarded with advertisements for stomach medicine; stomach problems are simply too common. With technological advancements and the continuous prosperity of the social economy, people's material standards are constantly improving, and lifestyles and dietary structures have undergone significant changes. The stomach, revered by the ancients as the "official in charge of granaries," is also facing new challenges. Various unhealthy eating and lifestyle habits are causing it unprecedented suffering. In response, various stomach diseases have emerged, with gastritis being particularly prevalent.
Gastritis is a common and frequently occurring disease. Patients mainly experience symptoms such as upper abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, belching, and loss of appetite, varying in severity. It is reported that almost everyone has suffered from gastritis at some point, and more than half of patients neglect the diagnosis and treatment of this seemingly minor ailment, failing to take it seriously. Some patients may even unknowingly allow it to gradually develop into malignant tumors. Therefore, increasing awareness of gastritis is crucial.
These symptoms may indicate gastritis.
When people talk about gastritis, most are referring to chronic gastritis. However, gastritis can be divided into acute and chronic forms. Although chronic gastritis is more "stubborn" and common, the relationship between acute and chronic gastritis is also quite close. Therefore, let's first learn about acute gastritis.
Acute gastritis is a common gastrointestinal disease caused by bacterial infection. It typically occurs 2-4 hours after eating and may present with upper abdominal discomfort, pain, loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting. Diarrhea is common due to frequent co-occurrence with enteritis. Severe cases may involve fever, dehydration, acidosis, and hematemesis (vomiting blood) and melena (black stools). The main symptoms are:
1. Upper abdominal pain is characterized by paroxysmal exacerbations or persistent dull pain, with a few patients experiencing severe pain. The location is in the epigastric region slightly to the left or around the navel, and may be accompanied by abdominal distension and discomfort.
2. Nausea and vomiting: The vomit consists of undigested food. Patients feel better after vomiting, and some patients may even vomit yellow bile or stomach acid.
3. Diarrhea accompanied by enteritis may present as loose or watery stools, yellow in color, which will stop as the stomach symptoms improve.
4. Dehydration is caused by excessive water loss due to repeated vomiting and diarrhea. Symptoms include poor skin elasticity, sunken eyes, thirst, and decreased urination. In severe cases, blood pressure drops, extremities become cold, and the pulse becomes rapid.
5. Hematemesis and melena: In a few severe cases, the vomit may contain streaks of blood or be coffee-colored, and the stool may be black or have a positive fecal occult blood test. This indicates bleeding in the gastric mucosa.
Beware of these four mortal enemies when trying to nourish your stomach and prevent disease.
People with stomach problems are most sensitive to cold. Food that is too cold or too hot is like an ice ball or a fireball; eating it will cause a stress response in the stomach, making the normally gentle digestive process abnormally irritable. The stomach prefers warmth, so the temperature of food and drinks should ideally be kept around 37℃. "Cold" also includes the properties of the food itself, so people with stomach problems should try to eat less cold-natured food.
Be wary of pickled vegetables. The incidence of stomach cancer among residents of northern my country is much higher than in the south, a significant reason being the frequent consumption of pickled vegetables, salted meat, and salted fish. Pickled vegetables contain large amounts of nitrites and secondary amines, which, under suitable acidity or bacterial action in the stomach, can synthesize nitrosamine compounds, which are carcinogenic.
Avoid smoked and fried foods. Smoked fish and meat contain high levels of carcinogens, such as 3-4 benzopyrene and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Fried, baked, and charred foods, as well as repeatedly used high-temperature cooking oils, also contain these carcinogens and should be consumed sparingly.
Avoid alcohol. Stomach acid secretion requires appropriate stimulation, but any excessive stimulation can damage the stomach. Therefore, the diet should be low in oily and fatty foods, and high in fresh vegetables and fruits, foods rich in vitamins A, E, and B, and protein intake should be appropriately increased to protect the gastric mucosa. At the same time, the intake of stimulating foods such as strong tea, coffee, and alcohol should be controlled.
From this perspective, most healthy eating habits are actually the best choice for people with gastrointestinal problems. Eating less raw, cold, greasy, spicy, sweet, and salty foods, and maintaining moderation in your diet is sufficient. Although there are specific precautions to take, overall, developing healthy eating habits is indeed the best way to prevent and maintain health.
