Lao Wang, 55 years old, was a construction worker before retirement, working hard and eating and resting irregularly. After retiring, Lao Wang always wanted to enjoy life, and the table was often indispensable for spicy Sichuan food and a few glasses of liquor. Lately, he has been experiencing a dull pain in his stomach, especially after eating. At first, Lao Wang didn't care, thinking it was just ordinary indigestion, but as time went by, the pain became more frequent and intense, and sometimes he would wake up in the night.
His family persuaded him to go to the hospital for examination, but Lao Wang felt that it was not a big deal and kept delaying it. It wasn't until one day, when the pain was so severe that it was unbearable, that he was rushed to the hospital by his family. After a series of tests, the doctor told Lao Wang that he had a stomach ulcer. This result shocked and regretted Lao Wang, and the doctor explained that it was the result of the accumulation of long-term bad eating habits.
The doctor inquired about Wang's eating habits in detail and found that he liked to eat spicy food, often overeat, and also had the habit of drinking. The doctor told him that these habits will irritate the gastric mucosa, increase gastric acid secretion, and increase the burden on the stomach, and in the long run, the gastric mucosa will be damaged and ulcers will form. The doctor advised Lao Wang to immediately change his eating habits, start eating regularly, and prescribe some drugs to help him recover.
Lao Wang's story makes us understand how serious the damage of poor eating habits can be to the stomach. Many people, like Lao Wang, usually do not pay attention to their diet until they have serious stomach problems and do not realize the seriousness of the problem. However, once a stomach ulcer develops, it can not only affect daily life, but can also lead to more serious health problems. Therefore, to protect your stomach health, you must start with your daily eating habits.
Mechanism of gastric ulcer formation
Definition and basics of gastric ulcers
Gastric ulcer refers to the formation of ulcerative lesions after the destruction of the gastric mucosa. This lesion is often accompanied by an erosion of stomach acid, causing damage to the stomach lining and producing pain. Stomach ulcers not only affect eating and digestion, but can also cause a series of complications, such as bleeding, perforation, and even malignant transformation into stomach cancer.
Helicobacter pylori infection
Helicobacter pylori is a bacterium that can live in stomach acid and is one of the main causative factors of stomach ulcers. After infection with Helicobacter pylori, this bacterium colonizes the gastric mucosa, destroying the mucosal barrier, resulting in direct erosion of the stomach wall by gastric acid, resulting in ulcers. Helicobacter pylori is transmitted through unclean food and water sources, and infection rates are high, especially in unhygienic settings
Pharmacological factors
Long-term use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin and ibuprofen can cause damage to the gastric mucosa. These drugs inhibit the synthesis of prostaglandins in the body, which have a protective effect on the gastric mucosa. The gastric mucosa, which lacks prostaglandin protection, is more susceptible to erosion by stomach acid and digestive enzymes, which can lead to the formation of ulcers.
Excessive gastric acid secretion
Excessive gastric acid secretion is also one of the important causes of gastric ulcers. Factors such as stress, spicy diet, alcohol, etc., can stimulate the excessive secretion of stomach acid. Too much stomach acid disrupts the self-protective mechanisms of the gastric mucosa, making it more susceptible to damage. Long-term hyperacidity can also cause the stomach lining to thicken, further exacerbating the formation of ulcers.
Poor eating habits
Irregular eating, overeating, and a penchant for spicy, greasy foods are all triggers for stomach ulcers. Irregular diet can lead to irregular gastric acid secretion, exposing the gastric mucosa to gastric acid for a long time, increasing the risk of ulcers. Spicy and greasy foods can directly irritate the gastric mucosa and destroy its barrier function, while overeating will increase the burden on the stomach and increase gastric acid secretion, resulting in damage to the gastric mucosa.
The formation mechanism of gastric ulcer is complex, and a combination of factors causes damage to the gastric mucosa. Therefore, protecting stomach health requires a multi-faceted approach, especially developing good eating habits to reduce stomach irritation. Understanding these causes can help us better prevent and manage stomach ulcers before they can have serious impact on our lives and health.
How eating habits affect stomach ulcers
Eating habits are an important factor in the formation of stomach ulcers. Long-term irregular diet, irritating foods, and overeating can increase the risk of stomach ulcers.
First of all, irregular eating can disrupt the rhythm of stomach acid secretion. When stomach acid is not neutralized by food, it can come into direct contact with the stomach mucosa, causing it to be damaged, which can lead to ulcers in the long run. Therefore, it is very important to eat on time, especially breakfast, which must not be neglected.
Secondly, irritating foods have direct damage to the gastric mucosa. Spicy food, coffee, alcohol, etc. will stimulate gastric acid secretion and increase the burden on the gastric mucosa. Alcohol, in particular, not only directly damages the gastric mucosa, but also increases gastric acid secretion, which is more likely to cause gastric ulcers under the dual effect. In addition, the irritation of the gastric mucosa by caffeine is also significant, and it is recommended to reduce the intake of coffee and strong tea.
In addition, a high-fat, high-sugar diet is not only bad for the stomach, but also bad for overall health. High-fat foods can delay gastric emptying and increase the erosion of stomach lining by stomach acid. High-sugar foods will increase the burden on the gastrointestinal tract and indirectly affect the health of the stomach. A balanced diet and increased intake of fruits and vegetables can help protect the gastric mucosa.
Chewing slowly is also the key to protecting your stomach. Chewing food well reduces the mechanical burden on the stomach, while the digestive enzymes in saliva work better to help food be digested and absorbed more easily in the stomach. The popularity of fast food culture has made many people accustomed to eating fast, but the damage to the stomach from this habit is potential and long-term.
Finally, the dangers of late-night snacks should not be overlooked. Eating supper at night will put the gastrointestinal tract in a state of overload, increase gastric acid secretion, and easily lead to gastric ulcers. Therefore, try to avoid eating after dinner, especially greasy, spicy foods.
Practical measures to protect the stomach
To protect stomach health, you need to start with your daily diet and lifestyle habits, and take the following practical measures.
Choosing foods that are easy to digest is a priority. Foods such as rice porridge, oats, and bananas are not only easy to digest, but also have a certain protective effect on the gastric mucosa. Rice porridge can neutralize stomach acid and relieve stomach discomfort; Oats are rich in fiber, which aids digestion; Bananas contain natural antacids that can relieve the burning sensation caused by excessive stomach acid.
The habit of avoiding late-night snacks is crucial. Dinner should be arranged before 7 p.m. as much as possible, and eating within 3 hours of bedtime should be avoided. If you feel hungry, opt for a small amount of warm milk or a couple of soda crackers, which won't add to the burden on your stomach.
Regular check-ups are an important means of early detection of stomach problems. In particular, people with a family history of gastric ulcers or long-term use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs should have regular gastroscopy. Early detection and early treatment can effectively prevent the worsening of gastric ulcers and prevent them from developing into gastric cancer.
Maintaining a balanced diet can help protect your stomach health. Eat foods rich in vitamins A, C, and E, which have antioxidant effects and can promote the repair of the gastric mucosa. Carrots, spinach, and citrus fruits are all good choices. At the same time, reduce the intake of high-salt, high-fat foods to avoid irritating the gastric mucosa.
Eating small, frequent meals is a great way to reduce the burden on your stomach. In addition to the three meals a day, you can add two small meals in moderation. Keeping each meal at seven points full helps to reduce gastric acid secretion and reduce pressure on the gastric mucosa. In particular, patients with gastric ulcers should follow the principle of eating small meals frequently.
Attention also needs to be paid to dietary details. Drinking a small glass of warm water before meals can dilute stomach acid and reduce the irritation of stomach acid to the gastric mucosa. Avoid hot and cold foods, which can burn the gastric mucosa and stimulate gastric acid secretion.
Psychological stress is also an important factor that affects stomach health. Long-term high pressure can lead to increased gastric acid secretion and damage to the gastric mucosa. Therefore, learning to regulate emotions and relieve stress has a positive effect on the prevention and treatment of gastric ulcers. You can relax your mind by exercising moderately, meditating, listening to music, and more.
In short, protecting stomach health requires comprehensive conditioning, starting from diet, lifestyle habits, psychological adjustment and other aspects. Adhering to a healthy diet, regular check-ups, early detection and treatment of stomach problems are the keys to protecting your stomach health. Through a scientific diet and lifestyle, you can effectively prevent stomach ulcers and enjoy a healthy life.