By Eileen Renders
Mayo Clinic provides much information regarding the stomach and how we can take measures to ensure that we are being proactive in avoiding diseases of the stomach to the best of our ability. The stomach is a muscular hollow organ that receives, stores, and initiates the digestive process for the food we eat. The upper part of the stomach can stretch to fit larger meals. The lower portion contracts and breaks down the food we eat and mixes it with digestive juices and stomach acid. There are times when stomach issues such as nausea, vomiting, or discomfort are the result of a viral infection, stress, or the type of foods we eat.
More concerning are more serious issues that include;
Gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) occurs when stomach acid flows back up into the esophagus, causing inflammation, pain from heartburn, and scarring.
Stomach tears. These occur in the lining of the stomach or esophagus. Stomach tears are most common in adults who have experienced severe vomiting. However, stomach tears are rare.
Gastric ulcers. These sores can occur when stomach acid wears down the walls of the stomach. They lead to pain and sometimes bleeding.
Stomach cancer. Also called gastric cancer, it can start in any part of the stomach.
Mayo Clinic Experts recommend these tips for keeping your stomach healthy;
Take your time eating, don’t rush to eat. Chew your food thoroughly to break it down. This helps your stomach digest it more easily.
Think small. Eating less food more often can ease the digestion process. Have 4 or 5 small meals a day, rather than 3 large ones.
Eat an early dinner. Eating earlier, so you have at least 2 hours before lying down for the night. An upright position helps the body digest food and move it into the small intestine for digestion.
Treat acid reflux. Ignoring acid reflux long-term can injure the stomach lining and cause cancer growth.If you have acid reflux, talk to your health care provider about treatment options. Avoid smoking and caffeine can also help.
Manage stress. Stress can slow down the digestion process, which can lead to uncomfortable bloating. Stress can also worsen ulcers and irritable bowel syndrome.
Fill the fruit bowl. Citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and grapefruit appear to lower stomach cancer risk. And fruits and vegetables contribute to a healthy stomach.
Hold the pickles and sausages. Limit salty, pickled, or smoked foods because they increase the risk of stomach cancer. Processed meats also increased the risk of stomach cancer. Try reducing serving sizes of meats and increasing serving sizes of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
Pain relievers. Long-term use of NSAID pain relievers (Advil, Motrin IB, ibuprofen) can lead to ulcers. Take pain relievers only as needed, and ask your doctor or pharmacist about alternatives.
Wash your hands. Helicobacter pylori is a bacterium associated with ulcers in the stomach and small intestine. Prevent it by washing your hands frequently. It can also spread on food. So rinse fruits and vegetables before eating, and thoroughly cook meat.
Sip nonalcoholic drinks. Vomiting from excessive alcohol use is the top cause of stomach tears. If you choose to drink alcohol, do so in moderation. For healthy adults, that means up to one drink a day for women and up to two drinks a day for men.
Eileen Renders is a retired nutrition counselor, health research writer, author, and publisher with more than a dozen published titles on www.Amazon.com She founded the First Wellness Center in Atlantic County in 1995 and was a provider for Cigna and United Healthcare.