What are the dangers of long-term indigestion to health and how to prevent it?

Indigestion is a common phenomenon in our daily life. Some people think that this symptom will improve on its own and do not pay enough attention to it. For mild indigestion symptoms, changing eating habits and lifestyle can indeed help patients recover their health, but if the symptoms persist, it may cause a series of harms to the human body. From nutrient absorption problems to acid reflux, to gastric ulcers and intestinal problems, these gastrointestinal diseases caused by indigestion are really a headache if they are troubled by them for a long time.

But don't worry too much, it's not difficult to prevent it. Just change your daily habits and lifestyle to keep your digestive system healthy. Let's take a look at the harm of long-term indigestion to your health and how to prevent it.

1. The harm of long-term indigestion to health

Indigestion is a common stomach disease caused by decreased gastrointestinal motility, which poses a certain threat to human health.

1. Poor nutrient absorption: Indigestion may lead to the body's absorption of nutrients being blocked. The body cannot get enough nutrients, such as protein, vitamins and minerals, which may affect the overall health and immune system function of the human body, leading to malnutrition.

2. Acid reflux: Long-term indigestion may lead to acid reflux, that is, gastric acid flows back into the esophagus, which may cause problems such as heartburn, stomach pain and esophagitis. Long-term acid reflux can also lead to esophageal inflammation and ulcer formation, and even increase the risk of esophageal cancer.

3. Gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer: Long-term indigestion may lead to gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer. These ulcers are the result of damage to the mucosa in the stomach and duodenum, and often lead to abdominal pain, indigestion and gastrointestinal bleeding.

4. Intestinal problems: Long-term indigestion may lead to intestinal problems such as bloating, diarrhea or constipation, which may affect the daily quality of life and may cause other health problems if they persist.

5. Cardiovascular problems: Long-term indigestion may be related to cardiovascular disease. Studies have shown that gastrointestinal problems such as gastroesophageal reflux disease may be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, coronary heart disease and stroke.

2. How to prevent long-term indigestion

The above discusses the harm of long-term indigestion to health. As for how to effectively prevent it, how much do you know? The following will provide guidance and suggestions from the aspects of diet and life.

1. Diet

In terms of diet: Maintain healthy eating habits and choose a diverse diet, including vegetables, fruits, whole grains, healthy proteins and healthy fats. Eat less fried, pickled, raw and cold foods, and stimulating foods such as beverages with high caffeine content, etc. Also, eat on time, avoid excessive hunger or fullness, try to avoid eating before going to bed, and give your stomach enough rest time.

In addition, drinking water in a balanced manner and maintaining adequate water intake will help dilute gastric juice and facilitate the digestion process, but avoid drinking a lot of water immediately before or after meals. Chew slowly during meals to fully digest food, reduce the burden on the gastrointestinal tract, and increase satiety.

2. Life

From a life perspective: First of all, you should maintain a happy mood, learn to effectively deal with stress and anxiety, and adopt appropriate coping strategies, such as meditation, deep breathing, relaxation training, art creation and other methods to relieve stress. You can also keep in touch with relatives, friends, family or support groups to share your feelings and moods. If necessary, you can consider seeking psychological counseling or treatment to deal with emotional problems. Take a positive attitude to look at things and cultivate a grateful and optimistic attitude.

Secondly, find your favorite activities and participate in sports activities that suit you, such as walking, running, swimming, yoga, Tai Chi, etc. Exercise can release stress in the body and promote relaxation and health of the body and mind. If you like gardening, you can try planting flowers, vegetables or indoor plants, interacting with nature, enjoying the beauty of flowers and plants and the green environment, which helps to relax and calm the mind.

Additionally, avoid and reduce your reliance on negative habits, such as excessive drinking, drug abuse, or caffeine abuse, as they can have adverse effects on your digestive system.

Finally, make sure you get enough sleep every night and maintain a regular schedule. Good sleep helps regulate your physical and mental balance.

Long-term indigestion has many adverse effects on health, but we can prevent it through good living habits and healthy eating. It should be noted that the hazards and prevention methods of long-term indigestion listed above only represent personal opinions. The specific disease risks and symptoms vary from person to person. If you suffer from indigestion symptoms for a long time, it is best to consult a doctor for professional diagnosis and treatment advice. (Yang Xiao, Lingshou County People's Hospital, Shijiazhuang City, Hebei Province)