5 habits to help prevent stomach ulcers

Eating and living in moderation; Stop drinking alcohol and smoking… are good habits to help prevent stomach and duodenal ulcers.

The lining of the stomach is eroded, causing inflammatory lesions, swelling, and eventually forming ulcers. Doctor, Dr. Vu Truong Khanh, Head of Gastroenterology - Hepatobiliary - Pancreas Department, Tam Anh General Hospital, Hanoi, said that this is a common gastrointestinal disease of Vietnamese people, most common in people over 40 age. The disease causes abdominal pain, accompanied by heartburn and a burning sensation in the epigastrium or behind the breastbone. The pain usually lasts from a few minutes to a few hours, depending on the condition, especially when hungry or after a full meal.

There are many causes of stomach and duodenal ulcers. According to Dr. Khanh, unhealthy lifestyle and eating habits are the most common factors. However, people can actively prevent the disease by the following ways.

Change your eating habits

Helicobacter.pylori (HP) is one of the leading causes of stomach ulcers. Due to the contagious nature in daily life, people need to ensure food hygiene and safety, eat cooked food, drink boiled water. Limiting the sharing of dishes, utensils, washing hands and disinfecting before eating and after going to the toilet are also ways to prevent HP infection.

Do not skipping meals; eating on schedule; Don't eat too full and close to bedtime, it's best to eat 2-3 hours before sleeping... to help regulate the function and contractions of the stomach. Everyone should eat more fruits, vegetables and fiber. Dr. Khanh cited a number of studies published in Medical News Today showing that these foods are rich in antioxidants, inhibit acid secretion, and contain anti-inflammatory and cell-protective properties, so they can help prevent cancer. and contribute to the treatment of ulcers.

Yogurt contains a large amount of probiotics ( good bacteria ). These beneficial bacteria help improve indigestion symptoms and side effects of antibiotics, so using every day will be beneficial to health.

Salt can increase the risk of stomach cancer, so do not eat salty foods. Patients should avoid acidic and spicy foods while the ulcer is healing to minimize possible acid reflux in the patient.

Eating plenty of fruits, vegetables and fiber helps prevent stomach ulcers. Photo: Freepik

Limit alcohol and carbonated drinks

Drinking alcohol and carbonated soft drinks increases the risk of stomach and duodenal diseases. Ethanol in alcohol not only inhibits the production of protective mucus in the stomach lining, but also stimulates and erodes the mucosa, making the stomach susceptible to ulcers and bleeding. Carbonated soft drinks stimulate the stomach to secrete more gastric acid, increase the acid concentration in the stomach, leading to ulcers in the long run. Therefore, avoiding alcohol, carbonated soft drinks can reduce the risk of disease.

Stop smoking

Smoking affects the protective mechanism of the gastric mucosa. It reduces blood flow to the stomach lining and inhibits mucus secretion. This is a factor that increases the incidence and recurrence of gastric and duodenal ulcers , and slows down the healing process of ulcers. Smoking also promotes the reflux of substances in the duodenum into the stomach, increasing acid secretion. Smokers should quit smoking to prevent this disease.

Avoid overuse of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

According to Dr. Khanh, prolonged use of some anti-inflammatory and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin, ibuprofen, diclofenac, ketoprofen... can inhibit the synthesis of prostaglandins - substances with protective effects. gastric mucosa. People who take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and pain relievers continuously for 3 months can develop stomach ulcers . When health has abnormal manifestations, patients should not self-diagnose and arbitrarily use drugs.

Do not stay up late

Staying up late makes the stomach work overload, creating a burden on the digestive tract. The stomach secretes a lot of gastric juice, causing the mucosal layer to gradually erode. This condition can lead to inflammation and stomach ulcers.

Gastric and duodenal ulcers, if detected early , can be completely cured. However, if not treated, the disease can progress seriously and leave many dangerous complications such as gastrointestinal bleeding, gastric perforation, pyloric stenosis... indigestion, nausea, vomiting, belching, heartburn... you should go to a gastroenterology specialist for examination and diagnosis.