Introduction: After the Winter Solstice, the coldest "Sanjiu" days of the year begin. Many people find that along with the cold air come discomforts such as acid reflux, bloating, and stomach pain. A reporter from Health Times visited the outpatient clinic of the Digestive Department at Dongzhimen Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine to consult with Director Li Zhihong on tips for winning the winter "stomach protection" battle.
Winter Stomach Protection: Stick a Heating Pad
In winter, low temperatures stimulate the body, causing an increase in stomach acid secretion. As the saying goes, "no acid, no ulcer," people with stomach ulcers are prone to relapse. At the same time, the stomach is prone to spastic contractions when exposed to cold, which can lead to discomforts like stomach pain, bloating, and diarrhea.
The stomach cannot handle the cold. The first step in winter stomach care is to prevent cold and keep warm. Women with chronic gastritis, a weak spleen and stomach, or insufficient yang energy should pay special attention. You can usually stick a heating pad or wear an extra warm vest to keep your stomach warmer and prevent stomach pain and other issues caused by catching a cold in the abdomen.
Ginger and Jujube Drink
Limit sweets like cake and chocolate
When the weather gets cold, the body needs more calorie intake to maintain heat. Not only do people eat more, but they also prefer greasy foods like hot pot and barbecue, as well as spicy foods. Eating large amounts of greasy and spicy food is a burden on the stomach. Additionally, at the end of the year, young people have more business dinners and gatherings. They often drink heavily after big meals. The stimulation from alcohol and alternating between hot and cold can easily lead to acute and chronic gastritis and other stomach ailments.
Director Li Zhihong said, "To win the winter 'stomach protection' battle, the first step is to have regular meals. Eat on time, have smaller and more frequent meals, and avoid overeating to irritate the stomach. At the same time, pay attention to the balance of vegetables, fruits, grains, and meat, and eat less fried, greasy, and hard-to-digest foods like chives. Also, sweets increase stomach acid and worsen damage to the gastric mucosa, so foods that many girls like, such as cake, chocolate, and roasted sweet potatoes, should be reduced."
Pumpkin and Millet Porridge
For a weak spleen and stomach, have a bowl of nourishing soup
"For stomach ailments, treatment accounts for three parts and nourishment for seven," but you must first understand your own constitution. From a Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective, people with both "heat" and "cold" in their spleen and stomach are prone to stomach problems. "Heat" includes internal dampness-evil, damp-heat, and food stagnation. These people tend to have a higher overall caloric intake. A fast work pace and high stress can lead to liver fire, and disharmony between the liver and stomach, or liver-stomach depression fire, can directly affect the stomach, requiring clearing heat and reducing fire. "Cold" is what we commonly call a weak spleen and stomach, which requires nourishing qi and blood and warming yang energy. Director Li Zhihong recommends a nourishing soup for this group of people: 15g of Prince Ginseng, 30g of raw Astragalus root, 3g of Bupleurum, 10g of Angelica sinensis, and 10g of Epimedium. Boil in water.
Finally, Director Li Zhihong also reminds us that gastrointestinal discomfort usually has complex causes, so self-diagnosis should be avoided. It is best to seek medical attention as soon as possible to avoid delaying the condition.
Carrot and Beef Stew