Survey data indicates China has 120 million gastrointestinal disease patients, making it the undisputed "world leader in stomach ailments." Yet nearly half of these individuals choose to endure stomach discomfort without seeking help. Experts urge: "Stomach issues are not minor ailments. Long-term neglect and indifference can lead to irreversible consequences. Let's show our stomachs more care."
The Consequences of Stomach Ailments "Flaring Up" Are Severe
"In the emergency room, gastrointestinal bleeding is a common and frequently occurring condition. Many people endure stomach discomfort on their own or self-medicate improperly, only seeking hospital care when bleeding occurs—by which point it's already very dangerous," said Zhou Rongbin, Director of the Emergency Department at Beijing Military Region General Hospital.
Zhang Shengsheng, Director of the Digestive Center at Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, explained: "Gastric disorders encompass many conditions. Many people dismiss them as minor illnesses because they don't understand the potential serious consequences." Common gastric disorders include gastritis, ulcers, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).Gastritis can be acute or chronic. If left untreated, superficial gastritis may progress to atrophic gastritis and eventually develop into gastric cancer. Regarding peptic ulcers, Zhang Shengsheng explained that gastric ulcers typically cause pain about half an hour after meals, which eases until the next meal. Duodenal ulcers, however, usually cause pain on an empty stomach and at night.Regarding peptic ulcers, Zhang Shengsheng emphasized that modern medical capabilities can fully cure them. The problem lies in some patients delaying treatment. If they only seek medical attention after experiencing hematemesis, melena, or even perforation, they may miss the optimal treatment window.But we've seen numerous young people who developed gastric bleeding or even perforation due to heavy drinking or overeating. Some arrived at the hospital with blood gushing like a fountain—any later and they could have died. The progression from gastric disease to gastric cancer is difficult to detect in its early stages, with many patients only being diagnosed at an intermediate or advanced stage. Patients with cirrhosis are also prone to esophageal and gastric varices, which can lead to gastric bleeding—sometimes resulting in sudden vomiting of blood.
Waging the "Stomach Protection War" in Daily Life
Statistics reveal China has 120 million gastrointestinal disease patients, with peptic ulcer prevalence at 10% and chronic gastritis at 30%, solidifying its status as the world's undisputed "stomach disease superpower." Experts emphasize that "stomach ailments are 30% treatment and 70% maintenance." The following harmful habits must be strictly avoided:
Irregular Meal Times and Overeating
Zhou Rongbin explains that the stomach is a "punctual" organ, with gastric juice secretion following physiological peaks and troughs throughout the day. If the stomach is empty during these natural cycles, the mucosa can easily become damaged. Overeating after meals significantly increases the burden on digestive organs, potentially causing acute gastroenteritis or even gastric hemorrhage.
Smoking, Alcohol Consumption, and Contaminated Food
Both smoking and alcohol directly irritate the gastric mucosa, causing vasoconstriction and spasms in the submucosal vessels. Prolonged exposure can easily lead to gastric ulcers. Additionally, Helicobacter pylori bacteria found in unclean foods are a major culprit in causing gastric ulcers.
Excessive stress and poor mood
Prolonged exposure to high-pressure situations, mental tension, low mood, or even anxiety and anger can easily disrupt autonomic nervous system function, leading to various gastrointestinal disorders.
Inappropriate medication use
Many self-medicate for stomach pain, but without knowing the cause, certain drugs may worsen gastric conditions. Commonly used medications can also directly or indirectly damage the gastric mucosa, such as analgesic-antipyretic-anti-inflammatory drugs (aspirin, paracetamol, painkillers) and glucocorticoids (dexamethasone, cortisone).
In reality, the body sends "warning signals" when gastric issues arise. Zhou Rongbin explains these signals fall into two categories: systemic and localized. Systemic signals include loss of appetite, indigestion, sallow complexion and weight loss, and irregular bowel movements (alternating diarrhea and constipation). Localized signals manifest as upper abdominal pain, bloating, acid reflux, and intermittent stomach cramps.Zhang Shengsheng emphasized that individuals experiencing severe stomach pain, black stools, vomiting blood, or dizziness should seek immediate medical attention, particularly those with irregular eating habits, inconsistent lifestyles, or high work stress.
Finally, Zhou Rongbin stressed daily lifestyle adjustments: minimize consumption of fried and pickled foods; avoid extreme temperature fluctuations in meals; chew food thoroughly; and maintain abdominal warmth.