In my many years as a pediatrician, I have met many parents who come to the clinic with their children, who have frequent colds and seem to be in a fragile state. They often feel confused and helpless and don't understand why children are always more likely to get sick than other children. After careful examination and questioning, I found that most of these children have one thing in common - the spleen and stomach are not functioning properly. I remember one time, an anxious mother brought her five-year-old son Xiao Ming, Xiao Ming is a lively and cute little boy, but he has a cold almost once a month, and each cold lasts for a long time. Through detailed inquiry, I learned that Xiao Ming often loses his appetite, likes to eat snacks, but eats very little at the main meal, and sometimes has indigestion problems. This made me realize that Xiao Ming's problem is not just a simple cold, and his spleen and stomach may need more attention and conditioning. This case is not uncommon, and in my practice, I have come to realize that a healthy spleen and stomach is the cornerstone of a child's resistance to disease and good health.
The spleen and stomach not only affect the digestion and absorption of food, but also directly related to the child's immunity. From the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, the spleen and stomach are the foundation of nurture and the source of qi and blood biochemistry, and from the perspective of modern medicine, a healthy digestive system helps children better absorb nutrients and strengthen the body's resistance. The relationship between the spleen and stomach and immunityFrom the perspective of modern medicine, the health of the spleen and stomach is also very important. The stomach is responsible for the initial digestion of food, while the spleen is responsible for filtering and cleaning the blood, and is also one of the important immune organs. If the spleen and stomach function poorly, it will not only affect the digestion and absorption of food, resulting in malnutrition, but also may affect the body's immune cell production, thus making the body susceptible to infections, such as common colds. For children, a healthy spleen and stomach ensures adequate nutrient absorption, which in turn supports the development and function of the immune system and helps them fight off viruses and bacteria. Therefore, keeping your child's spleen and stomach healthy is a crucial step in preventing colds and other illnesses.
Common symptoms of spleen and stomach problems: Loss of appetite: If a child lacks interest in food for a long time, or eats very little, it may be a sign of insufficient spleen and stomach function. The spleen and stomach are acquired, and loss of appetite will affect the absorption of nutrients, thus affecting immunity. Indigestion: If your child has frequent symptoms of bloating, belching or indigestion, it may be due to the weak digestion of the spleen and stomach and the inability to fully break down and absorb food. Constipation or diarrhoea: the spleen and stomach are not functioning properly, often presenting with abnormal bowel movements. Constipation may be caused by the heat of the spleen and stomach or poor qi, while diarrhea may be caused by spleen and stomach deficiency or poor digestion and absorption. Abdominal pain: If your child often complains of stomach pain without an apparent cause, such as after eating or when feeling stressed, this may indicate a disharmony between the spleen and stomach. Pale or yellowish complexion: In TCM theory, the spleen is dominated by muscles and limbs, while the spleen and feet are strong and ruddy. If you have a weak temper, it may cause you to turn pale or yellowish. When observing any of the above symptoms, parents should consider whether it is caused by insufficient spleen and stomach function, and seek appropriate treatment or conditioning. Improving your child's spleen and stomach health can not only help reduce the occurrence of colds and other diseases, but also promote your child's overall development and health.
Improvement measures and daily care
1. Adjust your diet
Your child's spleen and stomach are relatively fragile, so you need to pay special attention to your dietary choices. Foods that are easy to digest, low in fat and non-irritating are recommended. Offer more nutritious ingredients that are simple to cook, such as lean meat, chicken, fish, and fresh vegetables and fruits. Avoid too much fried food, raw and cold food, and foods high in sugar, which may increase the burden on the spleen and stomach.
2. Get enough sleep
Sleep is one of the most important factors in a child's healthy development. Getting enough sleep helps your child's spleen and stomach recover and regenerate their overall energy. As a parent, you should ensure that your child gets enough sleep every night and try to make sleep regular.
3. Encourage moderate exercise
A moderate amount of physical activity can enhance your child's physique and promote healthy peristalsis in the gastrointestinal tract, which in turn helps food to be better digested and absorbed. Common child-friendly sports include swimming, cycling, running, or team sports. It is recommended that parents accompany their children in these activities, which not only strengthens the parent-child relationship, but also promotes health together.
4. Avoid overexertion
The stress of a child's life and studies may affect the health of his spleen and stomach. Parents should pay attention to their children's daily activity schedule, avoid excessive pressure on learning and activities, and maintain appropriate rest and entertainment time to reduce the physical and psychological burden.
5. Maintain a healthy living environment
Keeping your home clean and comfortable environment can reduce your child's chance of viral infections and help your child's spleen and stomach health. Regular ventilation, keeping indoor air fresh, and reducing the accumulation of dust and allergens can be very helpful in preventing colds and other respiratory diseases. Through these daily care and adjustments, we can effectively improve the child's spleen and stomach health, reduce the recurrence of colds caused by spleen and stomach problems, and enhance the child's overall health and immunity.