【Disclaimer】The content of the article is for reference only, the storyline is purely fictional, intended to popularize health knowledge, if you feel unwell, please seek medical treatment offline.
The sunset stained the sky red, and the square dance music in the community gradually stopped. Aunt Li dragged her tired body home, and after eating dinner in a hurry, she lay on the sofa and watched TV. Her daughter Xiaoyue had just returned from work in the hospital and frowned when she saw this scene.
"Mom, why did you lie down after eating again? This is not good for the body. Satsuki reminded softly.
Aunt Li waved her hand disapplausively: "I've been used to it for so many years." Besides, if you don't lie down when you're full, can't you still stand?"
Satsuki stopped talking, remembering a patient she had met in the hospital a few days ago. It was a middle-aged man in his early fifties who had to be hospitalized because of the aggravation of gastroesophageal reflux caused by lying down after meals for a long time. She couldn't help but worry about her mother's health.
Just as Satsuki was about to open her mouth to persuade her, the doorbell rang. It turned out that it was the neighbor Uncle Wang who came to visit the door. Uncle Wang is over seventy years old, but his body is very tough, and he exercises in the morning every day, and he is a well-known "health expert" in the community.
"Sister Li, I see that your face is not very good, are you lying down after dinner again?" As soon as Uncle Wang entered the door, he saw the clues.
Aunt Li was a little embarrassed: "Oh, your old man's eyes are so sharp." I just feel comfortable lying down when I'm full. "
Uncle Wang shook his head and said earnestly, "Sister Li, you have to change this habit. I have an old friend who has a lot of problems because he lies down after dinner all year round. "
When Satsuki heard this, her eyes lit up. She felt that with the help of Uncle Wang's "living dictionary", she might be able to persuade her mother to get rid of this bad habit. So, she decided to take this opportunity to teach her mother a good lesson.
"Uncle Wang, can you tell my mother what to do after dinner? I also often meet patients in the hospital who have problems due to improper habits after meals. Satsuki asked earnestly.
Uncle Wang stroked his beard and began to tell the story: "Actually, the correct posture after dinner is very important. I didn't understand it when I was younger, but it took me a few things to understand it. "
He recalls an experience he had when he was younger. At that time, he was still a postman, and he rode his bicycle around the city every day. Once, after a hurried meal, he rode a bicycle to deliver a letter, but suddenly had a severe stomach pain on the way and almost fell off the car. Later, when he went to the hospital for a check-up, the doctor told him that it was caused by strenuous exercise immediately after eating, which caused insufficient blood supply to the gastrointestinal tract.
"Since then, I've been paying attention to my activities after meals." Uncle Wang said, "I have found that taking the correct posture after meals can not only help digestion, but also prevent many diseases. "
Aunt Li listened attentively and asked, "Then what should I do?"
Uncle Wang said with a smile: "Actually, it is very simple, it is to remember the principle of 'three noes': no lying, no standing, and no strenuous exercise."
He explained that lying down immediately after a meal can easily cause acid reflux and irritate the esophageal mucosa, which may lead to reflux esophagitis in the long term. Also, lying flat can put pressure on the stomach and affect digestion.
"Isn't that okay to stand?" Aunt Li asked.
Uncle Wang shook his head: "It's not good to stand. Standing immediately after a meal concentrates blood in the lower limbs, reducing the blood supply to the gastrointestinal tract and affecting digestive function. Especially for older people, it can also cause lightheadedness. "
When Xiao Yue heard this, she couldn't help but interject: "Uncle Wang is right. I saw a grandmother in the hospital who suddenly fell down and suffered a hip fracture because she stood up immediately after a meal to put away the dishes and chopsticks. "
Uncle Wang nodded and continued: "As for strenuous exercise, it is even worse. Exercising immediately after a meal can cause blood in the gastrointestinal tract to be 'snatched' away by the muscles, affecting digestion and absorption. The experience of my postman friend is a good example. "
Aunt Li nodded again and again when she heard this, but she was still a little puzzled: "Then what should we do after eating?"
Uncle Wang smiled and said, "The best way is to sit and rest for a while, you can chat easily, or walk around slowly." My personal habit is to sit and read the newspaper for a while after dinner, and then walk slowly around the house or yard for about ten minutes. "
"Medical studies have shown that maintaining light activity after meals, such as slow walking, can promote gastrointestinal peristalsis, speed up gastric emptying, and facilitate digestion. There are related research reports in the Chinese Journal of Digestion. "
Uncle Wang glanced at Xiao Yue approvingly, and then said, "In addition to posture, there are a few things to pay attention to after eating. For example, don't take a shower or swim right away, as this will concentrate blood on the surface of the skin and affect digestion. Don't go to bed right away, it's best to rest 1-2 hours after eating. "
Aunt Li said thoughtfully: "I used to think that I was full of food and good sleep, but it turned out that it was wrong to do this."
Uncle Wang nodded: "Yes, many people have this misunderstanding. In fact, eating and drinking before going to bed can easily cause obesity and increase the burden on the heart. I have a friend who works in a bank, and because he stayed up late all the year round and worked overtime, plus ate supper before going to bed, he ended up with severe fatty liver. "
When Satsuki heard this, she remembered one of her colleagues. The head nurse has a good eating habit and arranges a 15-20 minute slow walk time after meals every day. Over time, not only did he maintain his body well, but he also controlled his blood pressure and lipids well.
"In fact, developing good after-meal habits has an all-round impact on health." "Not only does it promote digestion, but it also prevents many chronic diseases." For example, moderate activity after meals can help control blood sugar, which is especially beneficial for people with diabetes. "
Uncle Wang said approvingly: "That's right. My friend who had fatty liver disease later changed his lifestyle at the doctor's suggestion and insisted on walking slowly for half an hour after meals every day, and after half a year, not only did his fatty liver improve, but he also lost a lot of weight. "
Aunt Li sighed again and again when she heard this: "It seems that my habit of lying down and watching TV has really changed." But I'm old and I'm afraid of falling when I walk, what should I do?"
Uncle Wang smiled and said, "Don't worry, you can walk slowly at home at the beginning, find a safe place, and walk with your things." The important thing is to persevere, take your time, and your body will get better and better. "
Xiao Yue also encouraged: "Mom, you can start with a short distance, such as walking back and forth on the balcony. Wait for your body to get used to it, and then slowly increase the amount of exercise. I can walk with you when I come back from work. "
Aunt Li was moved by the concern of her daughter and neighbors, and was determined to get rid of her bad habits for many years: "Okay, I'll listen to you." From today onwards, I will no longer lie down after meals. "
Uncle Wang said with relief: "Sister Li, it's great that you can think so." In fact, maintaining a healthy lifestyle is not only for yourself, but also for your family. Think about it, if we were healthy, wouldn't we be able to reduce the burden on our children?"
These words touched Aunt Li's heartstrings. She remembered that her parents had brought a lot of financial burden and mental pressure to the family due to various illnesses in their later years. She didn't want her daughter to be under that kind of pressure in the future.
"You're right," Aunt Li said firmly, "I will definitely take good care of my body and not cause trouble to Xiaoyue." "
When Xiao Yue heard this, she was both moved and a little guilty in her heart. She remembered that she was busy with work and often neglected to care for her mother. She secretly made up her mind to spend more time with her mother in the future and cultivate healthy living habits together.
As the night deepened, Uncle Wang got up to say goodbye. Before leaving, he said meaningfully: "Remember, health is bought by good habits accumulated over time. Start with little things and you'll definitely feel the change. "
Don't forget to like and forward it to your family and friends, and if you like it, you can follow it!
Share health tips every day and be your exclusive online doctor!
(The story in the article is purely fictional, if there is any similarity is purely coincidental, if the body is not well, seek medical help in time)