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At this age, it is undoubtedly a blow to hear that a friend around me has been diagnosed with stomach cancer.
Especially for those who seem to have a healthy life, such news is even more difficult to accept. Mr. Zhang, a 56-year-old runner, is one such example.
His story may make us revisit habits that are considered "healthy".
Mr. Zhang has always been the typical "health fanatic". Whether it's a morning jog rain or shine, or a strictly controlled diet, he tries his best to maintain a good lifestyle.
When he was 56 years old, an unexpected stomach cancer diagnosis shattered his peaceful life like a hammer.
As a common malignant tumor, gastric cancer has complex causes and is related to various factors such as genetics, environment, and dietary habits.
In Mr. Zhang's case, seemingly harmless or even healthy habits may be potential triggers.
Bad lifestyle habits and their effects
It is worth mentioning irregular eating habits. Although Mr. Cheung is very conscious of the health of his food, his eating schedule is unusually irregular.
Studies have shown that irregular eating times may interfere with the body's biological clock, thus affecting the repair of the gastric mucosa.
He often eats immediately after his run, a habit that can put an extra strain on his stomach just after a strenuous workout.
Digestion begins before the stomach has yet to recover from exercise, which may cause damage to the stomach lining and increase the risk of disease.
Let's take a look at running, a seemingly healthy sport. Running itself is good for your health, but excessive running can be problematic.
Mr. Zhang insisted on long-distance running every day, often for more than an hour, and such high-intensity exercise may expose his stomach to excessive mechanical shock and pressure, which can damage the gastric mucosa.
In fact, studies have shown that prolonged strenuous exercise increases the risk of gastrointestinal upset and other digestive problems.
Hidden dangers of drug use
Mr. Zhang also has a habit of taking over-the-counter medications, especially when he feels unwell or tired.
While these medications can provide temporary relief from pain, long-term or inappropriate use of certain medications, such as anti-inflammatory drugs, can cause damage to the stomach lining and cause drug-induced gastritis.
Side effects of these drugs may include increased gastric acid secretion or direct irritation of the stomach lining, which in the long run may worsen stomach problems and even become a potential contributing factor to stomach cancer.
Through Mr. Zhang's story, we can see how ordinary lifestyle habits can be linked to serious health problems.
This is not only a reminder to Mr. Zhang, but should also be a wake-up call for all of us.
Those seemingly inconsequential little habits in life can actually take a toll on our health without even realizing it.
Here, we need to understand that healthy living is not just about making healthy food choices or engaging in regular physical activity, but more importantly, it is important to pay attention to the well-rounded and balanced life.
For example, proper exercise intensity, regular eating times, and the rational use of medications under the guidance of a doctor are all important aspects of maintaining good health.
Warning signs and early symptoms of stomach cancer
Stomach cancer is often difficult to detect in the early stages because the early symptoms are not obvious, which is one of the reasons why stomach cancer is called the "silent killer".
Keep an eye out for subtle physical changes that can help with early detection and treatment.
Frequent indigestion, stomach upset, and especially postprandial sensation may be a sign of damage to the gastric mucosa.
Unexplained weight loss and persistent fatigue should also be a cause for concern, as it could be a warning from the body that nutrient absorption is being compromised.
Black stool is also a warning that should not be ignored and can be the result of internal bleeding, especially if the poop is tarry, foul-smelling.
If these symptoms appear, you should immediately seek medical attention for gastroscopy and other related examinations to rule out the possibility of stomach cancer or other digestive diseases.
Scientific Eating Habits and Stomach Cancer Prevention
To prevent stomach cancer, scientific eating habits are crucial. A high-salt diet has long been recognized as one of the risk factors for stomach cancer.
Excessive salt intake, especially through preserved foods, can damage the gastric mucosa and increase the risk of cancer.
Reducing salt intake and avoiding too many processed and preserved foods is one of the effective strategies to prevent stomach cancer.
Meals should be rich in fruits and vegetables. Vitamin C, vitamin E and other antioxidants in fruits and vegetables can neutralize free radicals that can cause damage to the gastric mucosa, thereby reducing the risk of stomach cancer.
Increase your intake of whole grains and legumes, the dietary fiber found in these foods that help maintain digestive health and reduce the amount of time carcinogens stay in the stomach.
Gastroscopy is the gold standard for diagnosing gastric cancer, and the state of the gastric mucosa can be visually observed through gastroscopy, and a biopsy can be performed to confirm whether there are malignant changes.
In addition to gastroscopy, tumor markers in blood tests can also be used as a reference, and although they are not highly specific, they can reflect to some extent whether tumor activity is present inside the body.
Imaging examinations such as spiral CT can also be used to evaluate the spread of gastric cancer, which is of great significance for the staging of the disease and the formulation of subsequent treatment plans.
A healthy lifestyle is a long-term solution
Through Mr. Zhang's story, we should realize that a healthy lifestyle is not only a choice, but also an attitude that must be adhered to for a long time.
The prevention and treatment of stomach cancer depends not only on the advancement of medicine, but also on the daily life choices of each of us.
Sticking to a reasonable diet, regular physical check-ups, and avoiding bad habits are seemingly ordinary behaviors that are actually powerful weapons in our fight against disease.
In life, we may often hear the saying "prevention is better than cure", which is especially applicable in the prevention and treatment of stomach cancer.
Early recognition of the signs of illness, adopting a scientific diet, and regular professional health check-ups are the keys to our health.
Through these practical actions, we can not only build a dam for ourselves to prevent disease, but also provide a safer living environment for our families.
Stomach cancer is dangerous, but it is entirely possible to minimize its risk with active lifestyle modifications and medical prevention strategies.
Everyone should be the first person responsible for their own health, and through small changes every day, they can accumulate into a big guarantee for future health.
I hope that every reader can learn from Mr. Zhang's story, and take action in advance to protect the health of themselves and their families.
At the end of the day, what experiences and opinions do you want to share?