“Old stomach problems” are becoming younger

Mr. Zhang, 31, is a network engineer for a company. He has been working overtime for 7 years. He eats high-fat and high-oil takeout food for three meals a day. He also likes to smoke, drink alcohol and drink coffee. Half a year ago, Mr. Zhang felt uncomfortable in his upper abdomen. He felt bloating and burning sensation under the xiphoid process after eating, but he didn't take it seriously. Later, he had to go to the hospital for treatment because of the worsening abdominal pain and bloating. After gastroscopy, Mr. Zhang was diagnosed with early gastric cancer.

According to statistics, the incidence of gastric diseases in my country is as high as 85%. It is worth noting that the proportion of chronic gastritis patients aged 23 to 34 in my country has increased year by year, and the incidence of digestive tract diseases such as chronic gastritis is showing a clear trend of younger people.

Young people tend to ignore stomach discomfort

Huang Rui, a member of the Tumor Metastasis Committee of the Chinese Anti-Cancer Association and deputy director of the Department of Colorectal Oncology at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, said that chronic gastritis or other chronic diseases of the digestive system can cause a series of symptoms such as stomach pain, heartburn, acid reflux, nausea, and indigestion. These symptoms may be aggravated by improper diet, excessive stress, irregular lifestyle or long-term use of certain medications. The above symptoms are also increasingly common among young people. If they are not taken seriously, they are likely to suffer from "old stomach problems."

Huang Rui explained that the "old" in "chronic stomach disease" refers more to the long-term and persistent nature of stomach disease. Because of the deterioration of body functions and poor resistance, the symptoms of the elderly are relatively severe and more difficult to cure; while young people tend to ignore stomach discomfort because of their stronger tolerance, irregular and uncontrolled diet, and busy work, which prolongs the course of the disease and even causes digestive tract perforation and cancer.

"Chronic stomach problems" include chronic gastritis, gastric ulcer, gastroesophageal reflux disease and functional dyspepsia. Chronic gastritis is caused by long-term inflammation of the gastric mucosa, and common symptoms include stomach pain, acid reflux, heartburn, indigestion, etc.; gastric ulcer is mostly caused by infection with Helicobacter pylori, use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, as well as dietary factors and stress response, and is mainly manifested as stomach pain, bloating, and acid reflux. The pain usually occurs after meals or at night; gastroesophageal reflux disease refers to the discomfort or complications caused by gastric acid "backflowing" into the esophagus, which may cause pain behind the sternum, burning sensation in the stomach, acid reflux, etc.; functional dyspepsia refers to digestive system symptoms without clear organic lesions, often manifested as abdominal distension, fullness, belching, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, etc.

The above diseases recur repeatedly and are difficult to cure. Long-term treatment is ineffective or has little effect. Over time, they become "chronic stomach problems".

Unreasonable diet and lifestyle habits can easily lead to "chronic stomach problems"

Huang Rui introduced that the occurrence of "chronic stomach disease" is related to many factors.

The first is dietary factors. Irregular eating habits, excessive intake of stimulating foods such as high salt, high fat, spicy food and caffeine. The second is Helicobacter pylori infection. Infection with Helicobacter pylori may increase the risk of "chronic stomach disease". The third is long-term stress. Stress conditions such as high work pressure, tense interpersonal relationships, and excessive mental load can easily cause stomach pain, bloating, peptic ulcers, abnormal stools, etc. The fourth is unreasonable living habits. Bad habits such as long-term insomnia, disordered life, and lack of exercise may all lead to "chronic stomach disease".

In addition, long-term use or abuse of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, hormone drugs or antibiotics, as well as alcoholism and smoking, will irritate the gastric mucosa and increase the probability of gastritis and gastric ulcers.

Huang Rui reminded that if "chronic stomach problems" cannot be effectively diagnosed and managed, mild symptoms may include poor appetite, malnutrition, or long-term pain and discomfort, while severe symptoms may lead to esophagitis, gastric ulcer, gastric bleeding, or even gastric cancer. Therefore, regular physical examinations are crucial to achieve early diagnosis, early detection, and early treatment.

Change your lifestyle to prevent "chronic stomach problems"

How to prevent "chronic stomach problems"? Huang Rui believes that the following points need to be achieved:

Maintain a balanced diet. Make sure your diet contains a variety of nutrients, including vegetables, fruits, whole grains, protein and healthy fats; try to avoid partial and picky eating; ensure adequate intake of fresh fruits and vegetables rich in vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber.

Control or reduce the consumption of spicy, fried, and greasy foods. Choose healthy cooking methods, such as steaming, boiling, and stewing, and pay attention to reducing salt and sugar.

Develop good eating habits. Eat regularly, chew slowly, eat in moderation, avoid overeating, and reduce the burden on the digestive system; eat regularly, try to follow the three meals a day system, and keep the consistency of eating time, which can help the gastrointestinal tract maintain a stable state.

Eat small meals frequently. Dividing large amounts of food into small portions and eating them frequently can help relieve the pressure on the stomach and promote digestion. At the same time, we should pay attention to the importance of breakfast, as it is an important nutritional supplement for the day and can help inhibit gastric acid secretion.

Exercise moderately. Moderate physical exercise can promote gastrointestinal motility and healthy digestion, but avoid strenuous exercise or strenuous activity immediately after a meal.

Healthy sleep. Maintain adequate sleep time and quality to avoid the harm of long-term insomnia to the digestive tract.

Learn to reduce stress and cope with stress. Find a way to reduce stress that suits you, such as fitness, watching movies, and outdoor outings, to please your body and mind and make your gastrointestinal tract more "unobstructed and smooth."

Quit smoking and limit alcohol consumption. Excessive drinking and smoking can have a harmful effect on the stomach, leading to gastritis, gastric ulcers, and gastric cancer.

If you feel persistent stomach discomfort or suspect you have "chronic stomach problems", you should seek medical attention promptly.