Before reading this article, I sincerely invite you to click "Follow", which is not only convenient for you to discuss and share, but also to share more professional health knowledge with you, so as to escort your health, thank you for your support.
"Look at my terrible stomach, it's all caused by those casual little habits!" Aunt Li shook her head and sighed, the doctor's diagnosis made her feel heavy.
The 58-year-old has always prided herself as a model of healthy eating – oatmeal for breakfast, steamed fish for lunch, and a bowl of somen noodles with tofu for dinner. Aunt Li is a teacher who is busy preparing and lecturing every day, but has little time to pay attention to her body.
During a certain examination, Aunt Li was diagnosed with stomach cancer. This is undoubtedly a huge blow to a person who eats so regularly and lightly every day. Her attending doctor, Dr. Wang, after reviewing Aunt Li's food diary, came up with several possible culprits – those seemingly harmless after-meal habits.
The first habit is that Aunt Li always drinks a lot of water immediately after a meal. Dr Wong elaborated on the adverse effects of drinking water, especially cold water, immediately after eating. He points out that doing so can disrupt digestive enzymes in the stomach, which can interfere with the rapid digestion and absorption of food.
If this behavior persists for a long time, the stomach lining will be continuously irritated, which will gradually increase the likelihood of developing stomach problems. He stressed that in order to protect the health of the stomach, it is necessary to avoid drinking large amounts of cold water immediately after a meal, and instead to slowly replenish water at an appropriate time after a meal, which will help maintain the normal functioning of the digestive system and reduce the risk of stomach upset.
The second habit is that Aunt Li likes to exercise immediately after eating. While walking is a great exercise, doing it immediately after a meal is a different story.
Dr Wong pointed out that taking a walk immediately after a meal, especially a brisk walk, can increase the burden on the stomach, leading to possible stomach upset or excessive stomach acid. People who exercise vigorously immediately after a meal are more likely to develop stomach problems than those who take a break for a while and then do light exercise.
The third habit is that Aunt Li lies down and rests immediately after eating. Although this behavior can provide temporary relaxation, it can lead to acid reflux in the long term, irritating the esophagus and larynx for a long time, which may not only lead to gastroesophageal reflux disease, but may also increase the risk of other upper gastrointestinal diseases.
In the process, Aunt Li also reflected on some of her living habits and began to adjust her behavior after meals, such as sitting for 45 minutes after meals and then taking a gentle walk, and then slowly taking small sips of warm water. These subtle changes not only made her stomach feel comfortable, but also gradually improved her overall health.
After that, Auntie Li and Dr. Wang had more frequent conversations. Dr Ong explained some medical surveys and statistics on stomach cancer, emphasizing the importance of early prevention and proper lifestyle habits in avoiding such diseases. Proper post-diet activities, such as light walking and not exercising vigorously right away, can effectively reduce acid reflux and thus reduce the risk of stomach cancer.
Through Dr. Wang's careful explanation and careful care, Auntie Li gradually understood that some of her previous habits were indeed not good for her health. She began to carefully keep track of her after-meal behavior to make sure her lifestyle supported her stomach health. Auntie Li also learned how to take responsibility for her own health by adjusting her diet and daily life to cooperate with medical treatment.
During a follow-up visit, Aunt Li asked Dr. Wang a question: "Dr. Wang, I heard that drinking some stomach medicine can reduce stomach acid problems, but I am worried about whether there will be side effects after taking it for a long time?"
Dr. Wang: "It's true that some stomach medications, such as proton pump inhibitors, can effectively reduce gastric acid secretion and relieve the discomfort caused by excessive stomach acid. ”
"But long-term dependence on these medications, especially without a doctor's guidance, may affect the normal function of stomach acid and even cause nutrient absorption problems. ”
"My advice is that we can adjust your medication plan based on your symptoms and the results of your physical examination, and combine it with lifestyle changes to manage your health comprehensively. During treatment, we review regularly to ensure that the use of medications is both effective and safe. ”
She realized that health management is a long-term and comprehensive process that requires the professional guidance of doctors and her own active participation.
What do you think about what habits are not advisable after meals? Welcome to discuss in the comment area!