The more you chew betel nut, the more delicious it tastes, but oral cancer is getting closer

As society pays more attention to health, chewing betel nut can not only cause oral cancer, but also cause or aggravate the occurrence of diseases such as myocardial infarction, asthma, and type 2 diabetes, and is becoming a bad habit that seriously threatens physical health.

Why has betel nut become a popular and addictive food among the people?

Due to the influence of climate, chewing betel nut can make the body produce heat and remove dampness and coldness;

Chewing betel nut promotes intestinal digestion and can also cause a state of nervous excitement like a stimulant;

Ephedrine contained in betel nut can stimulate nerves and cause people to become addicted to chewing betel nut;

People believe that chewing betel nut can refresh the mind and fight fatigue;

Local customs, such as the long-standing habit of chewing betel nuts in Hunan and other places.

Why does chewing betel nut cause oral cancer?

Oral cancer is a mutation of the oral mucosa, and is a general term for oral malignant tumors. Betel nut rubs against the oral mucosa during chewing, which can easily cause mucosal damage and lesions; at the same time, it releases a variety of irritants such as arecoline, areca tannic acid, betel nut-specific nitrosamines, and reactive oxygen species, causing cytotoxicity, genetic toxicity, and even direct carcinogenesis.

Excessive chewing of betel nut will cause oral submucous fibrosis (OSF), which will cause a burning sensation when eating, and gradually increase saliva, loss of taste, difficulty opening the mouth, and even difficulty swallowing saliva. WHO (World Health Organization) has listed OSF as a precancerous lesion, and epidemiological surveys have confirmed that chewing betel nut is one of the main pathogenic factors of OSF.

Is betel nut chewing related to age?

Betel nut chewing has become one of the important public health and medical care issues in my country that needs to be seriously addressed and resolved. Studies have found that the first time people chew betel nut is at an early age of [(18±4) years old]. In addition, it was found that the younger the age, the lower the education level, and the more likely people are to chew betel nut, the greater their risk of oral cancer.

Therefore, we should improve our knowledge of betel nut, not chew it as a snack, gradually reduce the consumption of betel nut, pay attention to oral hygiene, develop good brushing habits, prevent bacteria from gathering in the mouth, and cause oral infection or other diseases. Bad habits should be abandoned, such as quitting smoking and drinking, and avoiding eating betel nut. Regularly see a doctor to check oral health. For high-risk groups, see a doctor as soon as possible when lesions are found.