Gastric disorders is a collective term for various stomach conditions that share similar symptoms, such as discomfort or pain in the upper abdomen, postprandial bloating, belching, acid reflux, and even nausea or vomiting.Common clinical gastric disorders include: acute gastritis, acute gastric mucosal lesions, chronic gastritis, functional dyspepsia, bile reflux gastritis, gastric motility disorder syndrome, gastric stasis, gastric and duodenal ulcer bleeding, gastric torsion, gastric injury, gastric ptosis,acute gastric dilatation, gastric mucosal prolapse, gastric polyps, gastric ulcers, gastric septum, gastric diverticulum, gastrolithiasis, food stagnation-related gastric disorders, epigastric fullness, gastric cancer, drug-induced gastric disorders, portal hypertension-related gastric disorders, and gastric tuberculosis.Gastric cancer invariably develops over 10 to 20 years from minor gastric issues, with heartburn and acid reflux being the most easily overlooked early warning signs.
What warning signs does gastric cancer give us before it strikes?
Sign 1: Heartburn and Acid Reflux
Heartburn typically refers to a burning sensation in the lower part of the sternum, commonly known as the "pit of the stomach," feeling like a fire is burning there. This is mainly caused by stomach contents "escaping" into the esophagus.The stomach secretes acid, making its contents acidic, while the esophagus is alkaline. When acidic substances "escape" into the esophagus, they corrode its mucous membrane, creating a sensation akin to a fire burning in the pit of the stomach—this is what we call heartburn.
Symptom 2: Upper Abdominal Discomfort or Pain
Upper abdominal discomfort is also one of the most common initial symptoms of stomach cancer. It primarily manifests as a feeling of fullness or burning after eating, recurring frequently. The episodes are usually brief and not intensely painful, often mistaken for indigestion or gastritis, leading to neglect.
Sign 3: Anemia
Zhao Dongbing, Deputy Director of Abdominal Surgery at the Cancer Hospital of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, notes: "There's another more subtle sign of stomach cancer that we might not even associate with gastric issues—anemia." In stomach cancer patients, tumors can damage blood vessels, causing gastric bleeding. Some individuals may experience vomiting blood, which is a primary cause of anemia.
Sign 4: Black Stools or Blood in Stools
Black or dark stools are normal after consuming pig liver, sweet potatoes, red dragon fruit, blood tofu, or iron supplements. However, if black stools persist after ruling out these causes, or if stools contain visible blood, gastric cancer should be considered.Stomach cancer patients often experience minor gastrointestinal bleeding. If neglected, this can worsen the condition. Four Fruits to Avoid with Stomach Issues Tomatoes Tomatoes are highly acidic and may stimulate increased stomach acid production. Excessive consumption can cause acid reflux and heartburn. This applies to tomato-based sauces as well.
Peaches
Peaches contain large amounts of macromolecular substances that are difficult for individuals with weak gastrointestinal function or children to digest and absorb. Eating too many can increase the burden on the stomach and intestines.Due to their high dietary fiber content, large quantities can irritate the digestive tract and cause discomfort. Most of this fiber is concentrated in the thin, tough, and sharp-edged skin of the jujube. If the stomach lining is inflamed or ulcerated, this can exacerbate pain and discomfort.
Hawthorn
Hawthorn berries contain high levels of pectin and tannic acid. When exposed to stomach acid, these substances can coagulate into insoluble precipitates. These precipitates may bind with food residues to form gastric stones. Such stones can cause gastric ulcers, bleeding, and even necrosis or perforation of the stomach wall. However, cooking hawthorn berries reduces the impact of tannic acid.