How to eat healthily with three different stomach conditions?

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Three Types of Stomach Ailments: What's the Healthiest Way to Eat?

For people with hectic lifestyles and overwhelmed by work, even minor dietary irregularities can trigger the sensitive "nerves" of the digestive system, leading to bothersome stomach ailments. Dietary habits are key to digestive health, and those with long-term stomach discomfort should be particularly careful in choosing food types to alleviate symptoms and speed up recovery. Especially for various symptoms, it's crucial to follow different dietary do's and don'ts.

How to Eat for Three Different Stomach Ailments?

Gastritis and Gastric Ulcers: Avoid Irritating Foods

Causes: These can include chronic excessive stress causing autonomic nervous system hyperactivity, leading to increased stomach acid and chronic stomach diseases, or consuming irritating foods that damage the gastric mucosa, causing acute ulcers. Symptoms of these conditions include dull upper abdominal pain, loss of appetite, nausea and bloating, aversion to food, and weight loss. Acute patients may experience significant abdominal stabbing pain, a burning sensation, and even nausea and vomiting, often requiring prompt medical attention. Gastroesophageal Reflux: Eat Less Sweet Foods and Glutinous Rice

Causes: The lower esophageal sphincter relaxes involuntarily or its tension decreases, preventing the cardia (the opening between the stomach and esophagus) from closing tightly. Stomach acid and enzymes then flow backward (reflux). Because the esophageal wall is thin and cannot withstand acid, this causes heartburn and a burning sensation. Corresponding symptoms include belching, difficulty swallowing, heartburn and a burning sensation, and it can even lead to esophageal ulcers or esophageal cancer. Indigestion and Bloating: Avoid Gas-Producing Foods

Causes: Indigestion is a common stomach ailment, with 30-40% of people having experienced it. Eating too fast, eating too much, or high stress can all disrupt the digestive system, causing indigestion. Symptoms include post-meal abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, and vomiting. After diagnosis rules out ulcer factors, it is called "non-ulcer dyspepsia." In addition to the dietary prescriptions for the three stomach ailments, here are five foods that are both delicious and good for the stomach.

Cabbage: Rich in dietary fiber and minerals, it is highly nutritious. More importantly, cabbage contains Vitamin K and Vitamin U, which have anti-ulcer factors that can protect the gastrointestinal mucosa. Regular consumption can reduce stomach discomfort, and drinking it as juice is also a good method. However, cabbage can easily cause bloating, so patients with bloating should not eat too much of it.

Pumpkin: Contains a large amount of pectin that can protect the stomach wall and reduce ulcers. However, the pumpkin skin is hard to digest, so patients with indigestion should peel it before eating.

Papaya: Contains papain, which helps break down proteins and accelerate their absorption, relieving indigestion and gastritis. Papaya is also a great food for strengthening the spleen and stomach and treating stomach pain. However, papaya is considered "cool" in nature and is not recommended to be eaten on an empty stomach.

Chinese Yam: Strengthens the spleen and stomach, benefits kidney qi, and promotes digestion and absorption. Its sticky texture also has a protective effect on the stomach wall and can stimulate appetite. Patients with long-term stomach discomfort and loss of appetite can eat more of it.