Uncle Zhang, a retired teacher, has suffered from stomach pain and bloating for a long time. A few years ago, he was unable to eat normally due to stomach pain, and he couldn't sleep at night, which greatly affected his daily life. After many Western medical treatments, he could not completely get rid of the pain, and finally turned to Chinese medicine treatment. Under the guidance of a TCM practitioner, through herbal therapy and lifestyle adjustments, Uncle Zhang's symptoms have been significantly alleviated. Through the story of Uncle Zhang, this article explores the causes of stomach pain and bloating, and delves into how Chinese medicine can help alleviate this common condition.
Common causes of stomach pain and bloating: Deconstructing the close link between daily habits and stomach health
Although stomach pain and bloating are common digestive conditions, the causes behind them are diverse and complex. Understanding these causes can help us take effective preventive and curative measures.
Irregular eating habits:
The fast-paced pace of modern life has made many people's eating habits irregular. Skipping breakfast, relying too much on processed foods, having dinner too late, and eating too much can all contribute to a heavier stomach. When the stomach processes large quantities of high-fat or high-sugar foods, it needs to secrete more stomach acid and digestive enzymes, which can affect the normal function of the stomach in the long run, causing stomach pain or bloating.
Influence of psychological factors:
Mental state is closely related to stomach health. Stress, anxiety, and nervousness can not only lead to excessive gastric acid secretion, but also affect the normal peristalsis function of the stomach, causing food to stay in the stomach for too long, causing discomfort. In addition, psychological stress can also lead to poor eating habits, such as swallowing quickly and choosing spicy or greasy foods for psychological comfort, which can exacerbate stomach problems.
Physiological factors:
As we age, the body's physiological functions gradually decline, including the motor function of the stomach and the ability to secrete acid. This physiological change is especially pronounced in older people, who are more likely to experience sluggish gastric emptying, where food debris stays in the stomach for too long, causing bloating and discomfort. In addition, the side effects of some medications, especially some anti-inflammatory drugs and antibiotics, may also cause or worsen stomach pain and bloating.
Through the above analysis, we can see that the causes of stomach pain and bloating are multifaceted, involving many aspects such as dietary habits, mental health, and physiological changes. Therefore, a comprehensive lifestyle modification with appropriate treatment is essential to alleviate or even cure stomach pain and bloating.
TCM Perspective: The Nature of Stomach Problems and the Way to Cure It
Gastric disease is more common in middle-aged and elderly people, among which stomach pain and stomach distension are two typical symptoms, which seriously affect the quality of life. TCM treatment of gastric diseases not only focuses on the alleviation of symptoms, but also focuses on the conditioning of the cause and the overall harmony.
The basic understanding of stomach disease in Chinese medicine
Traditional Chinese medicine believes that stomach diseases are mostly caused by "spleen and stomach disharmony", and the spleen is the foundation of the acquired nature, and its main function is to transport water valleys, transfer subtleties, and be responsible for the body's digestion and absorption functions together with the stomach. When the spleen function is normal, the stomach can function healthily, and vice versa, various stomach problems will occur. The main causes include poor mood, uncontrolled diet, overwork, etc., which may lead to spleen and stomach dysfunction, resulting in upward reversal or stagnation of stomach qi, resulting in stomach pain or bloating.
Traditional Chinese medicine treatment for stomach problems
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatment for stomach diseases focuses on harmonizing the spleen and stomach and dredging the ventilators. There are various treatments, including medication, acupuncture, massage, etc.
Medication: Commonly used Chinese medicines include tangerine peel, banxia, licorice, etc., which can help regulate the spleen and stomach, dissolve dampness and relieve pain. For example, Banxia lowers the reverse and disperses the knots, tangerine peel regulates the atmosphere, and licorice regulates the medicinal properties of various medicines.
Acupuncture treatment: Specific acupuncture points such as Zusanli, Zhongguan, etc., can adjust the spleen and stomach qi and blood through acupuncture, and improve the operation of qi.
Tuina massage: By massaging the abdomen, it can promote blood circulation in the gastrointestinal tract and enhance the function of muscles and nerves, thereby relieving stomach pain and bloating.
Diet & Lifestyle: The key to daily conditioning
A reasonable diet and lifestyle are the basis for the prevention and treatment of stomach diseases. For stomach pain and bloating, the following tips are especially important:
Dietary modification recommendations
Food choices: Prioritize foods that are easy to digest, low in fat, and non-irritating, such as oats, rice porridge, and vegetable soups. Avoid foods that are too cold or too hot, which can irritate the stomach lining and exacerbate discomfort.
Eating habits: Maintain a regular eating schedule and avoid overeating. Small, frequent meals can reduce pressure on your stomach and help food digest better.
Lifestyle modifications
Regular exercise: Moderate physical activity, such as walking or yoga, can enhance physical fitness and improve gastrointestinal function.
Emotion management: Mood swings are a common cause of stomach problems. Learning stress management techniques, such as deep breathing, meditation, etc., can help maintain emotional stability and reduce negative effects on the stomach.