Lao Zhang, a 60-year-old chef, has made his own bone broth and secret sauces that have made this humble shop a culinary landmark in town. When night falls, the noodle restaurant is always full of diners looking for comfort after a hard day's work.
Early in the morning, he picks the freshest ingredients in the mist; He didn't get a respite until the last customer left satisfied. As the days went on, Lao Zhang's diet became extremely irregular, often satisfying his hunger with a few quick bites of a cold meal or a bowl of noodles late at night. Over time, his stomach began to "protest".
On that cold and windy winter night, Lao Zhang cooked a bowl of hot beef noodles as usual, and as soon as he took the first bite, a strong burning sensation suddenly spread from his stomach, making his face pale with pain, and beads of sweat the size of beans slid down his cheeks.
At this moment, he seemed to hear a warning from the depths of his body - those ignored "small" gastritis symptoms were quietly breeding a bigger storm.
01. It only takes 4 steps from gastritis to gastric cancer
Chronic superficial gastritis: Chronic superficial gastritis is the first step in gastritis and is usually caused by factors such as Helicobacter pylori infection, long-term use of certain medications, poor diet, or mental stress.
At this stage, there is mild inflammation and edema on the surface of the gastric mucosa, which is manifested by symptoms such as stomach discomfort and indigestion. Although lesions at this stage are mild and mostly reversible, neglect of treatment can lead to hidden dangers for subsequent development.
Chronic atrophic gastritis: As inflammation persists, glands in the stomach lining may begin to shrink, resulting in a decrease in the secretion of stomach acid and digestive enzymes, known as chronic atrophic gastritis.
Stomach upset may worsen at this stage, accompanied by symptoms such as loss of appetite and weight loss. Atrophic gastritis increases the risk of gastric cancer, especially when intestinal metaplasia occurs.
Intestinal metaplasia: In some cases of atrophic gastritis, certain areas of the gastric lining may begin to develop gut-like cells, a process known as intestinal metaplasia.
Alterations in this cell type may further increase cancer risk, as these cells are more susceptible to abnormal proliferation. Intestinal metaplasia itself is not cancerous, but it is an important warning sign for the development of gastric cancer.
Atypical hyperplasia and gastric cancer: Atypical hyperplasia, also known as dysplasia, is the growth of abnormal morphological and tissue structure of gastric mucosal cells and is considered a direct precursor of gastric cancer.
It is divided into two types: low-grade and high-grade, with high-grade dysplasia meaning that the cells are close to cancer. Once dysplasia develops to the point where it becomes uncontrollable, it may eventually evolve into gastric cancer. Stomach cancer may have no obvious symptoms in the early stage, but as the disease progresses, symptoms such as hematemesis, melena, and sudden weight loss may occur.
02. How to prevent gastritis in your life
Eat regularly, chew and swallow slowly: Maintain regular and quantitative meals three times a day to avoid overstarvation and satiety, and reduce the burden on the stomach. Chewing slowly when eating helps food to be digested better and reduces excessive secretion of stomach acid.
Eat hygienic and pay attention to food safety: choose fresh and clean ingredients, wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly, and remove residual pesticides. Make sure your food is cooked thoroughly and avoid eating raw, cold, or semi-cooked foods to reduce the risk of bacterial infection.
Eat a balanced diet in moderation: Ensure a balanced intake of protein, vitamins and minerals, and reduce irritating foods. Limit your intake of coffee, alcohol, and carbonated beverages, which can irritate the stomach lining.
Regularity, stress reduction and relaxation: Maintain adequate sleep and avoid staying up late to help the body recover and reduce acid reflux. Learn stress management techniques such as meditation, yoga or leisurely walks to reduce the negative effects of stress on your stomach.
Quit smoking and limit alcohol: Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption are both important triggers of gastritis, try to quit smoking and limit alcohol intake.
Exercise: Regularly engage in moderate-intensity exercise, such as brisk walking, swimming, or cycling, to boost digestion and strengthen the body's immunity.
In the fast-paced world of modern life, stomach health is often the most overlooked aspect of our lives, but it is the cornerstone of our daily vitality and well-being. By implementing these preventive measures, we are not only protecting our stomachs, but also investing in a healthier, better quality future.
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