Avoid These 4 Stomach Hazards This Spring Festival Gathering

Title: Avoid These 4 Stomach Hazards This Spring Festival Gathering

Introduction: During the Spring Festival, many face gastrointestinal discomfort from overeating. A gastroenterologist shares tips to protect gastric health.

Publication: Popular Science China

Author: Liu Xuyou, Mai Bo

Producer: Guangdong Provincial Association for Science and Technology

During the Spring Festival holiday, we enjoy family reunions and delicious food. Gatherings with relatives and friends, snacks during leisure time, and a few shared drinks create a lively atmosphere. However, our digestive systems are quietly under pressure due to these festivities.

During the Spring Festival, there has been a notable rise in patients seeking medical attention for acute gastroenteritis, overeating, stomach pain, and abdominal bloating. Many individuals, while celebrating with family, experience gastrointestinal discomfort that disrupts their enjoyment. Today, Director Liu Xuyou from the Gastroenterology Department of Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital presents a specialized 'Stomach Care Guide' tailored to the dietary and lifestyle habits of the Spring Festival. This guide instructs everyone on how to scientifically care for their stomachs, enjoy a worry-free holiday, and effectively maintain stomach health amidst the celebrations.

Gastrointestinal discomfort is prevalent during the Spring Festival, primarily caused by sudden dietary and lifestyle changes.

Key contributors to gastrointestinal discomfort during the Spring Festival include the following:

Disordered eating habits: Festive foods often have high levels of oil, salt, and fat, accompanied by continuous snacking and binge eating, which overburden the digestive system.

Temperature changes: Consuming iced beverages or chilled fruits directly after hot dishes can harm the gastric mucosa due to the temperature contrast, leading to stomach pain and acid reflux.

Excessive alcohol consumption: Social pressure to drink, excessive amounts, and mixing different alcohol types can irritate the gastric mucosa, potentially causing mild discomfort or even gastrointestinal bleeding in severe cases.

Disrupted routines: Staying up late during New Year’s and sleeping in can disrupt the normal rhythm of gastrointestinal motility and digestive fluid secretion, leading to functional disorders and symptoms like food accumulation and bloating.

It is crucial to protect stomach health during the Spring Festival, and dietary control plays a vital role.

There is no need to avoid specific foods entirely; instead, focus on 'moderation, regularity, and gentleness,' balancing taste with health.

Opt for light cooking: Prioritize steamed and braised dishes during group meals and minimize fried or greasy options. Ensure a balanced ratio of meat to vegetables, with vegetarian dishes making up at least half.

Maintain a steady eating pace: Chew slowly and savor each bite, aiming to fill to about 70% fullness at each meal. Avoid overeating due to social pressures or a fear of wasting food.

Separate hot and cold: Allow ice-cold drinks and fruits to warm up to room temperature before consumption to reduce sudden stimulation to the stomach lining.

Choose mild snacks: Limit fried and sugary snacks, and choose healthier options such as steamed sweet potatoes, unsweetened yogurt, and plain nuts that do not disrupt main meals.

Moderation is essential when it comes to drinking; avoid common pitfalls to protect your stomach.

During the Spring Festival, remember to establish 'boundaries and methods' when drinking, and avoid these common mistakes:

Avoid drinking alcohol on an empty stomach: Have some millet porridge, bread, or vegetables beforehand to create a protective layer for the stomach.

Strictly control alcohol quantity and types: Limit liquor to no more than 50 grams per day and beer to no more than 500ml, while avoiding mixing different alcoholic beverages.

For discomfort after drinking: For mild stomach pain and acid reflux, consume warm water, honey water, or millet porridge soup, and avoid strong tea or coffee to prevent further irritation.

Seek immediate medical attention for severe symptoms: This includes intense stomach pain or vomiting blood. Timely medical care is essential.

Maintaining a regular schedule and exercising can further enhance stomach protection.

Good lifestyle habits are critical for gastrointestinal health.

Maintain a regular sleeping pattern: Aim for 7–8 hours of sleep daily, avoiding late nights and sleeping in too late to keep the gastrointestinal rhythm normal.

Engage in moderate daily activity: A 15–20 minute walk after meals or getting up to move around can promote gastrointestinal motility and relieve bloating.

Ensure emotional stability: Negative emotions such as anxiety and irritability can impact gastrointestinal function, so focus on self-regulation.

Timely treatment for gastrointestinal discomfort is essential.

Mild bloating and food accumulation can be alleviated through a light diet, abdominal warmth therapy, and moderate exercise; however, if the following symptoms occur, seek medical attention promptly:

- Persistent severe stomach pain or abdominal pain that radiates to the back;

Frequent vomiting or diarrhea, especially with signs of dehydration such as dry mouth and reduced urination.

- Vomiting blood or having black or tarry stools;

- A fever above 38.5℃, accompanied by abdominal pain and vomiting, which may indicate an infection.

In cases where foreign objects like fish bones get lodged in your throat, do not blindly swallow hard food items, such as rice balls, to resolve the issue. It’s advisable to seek immediate medical attention at a hospital's ENT or gastroenterology department.

Final reminder.

The essence of the Spring Festival lies in reunion and well-being, and a healthy digestive system is foundational for enjoying gatherings. Protecting the stomach involves not abstaining from food, but knowing how to eat; it's not about forgoing fun but practicing moderation. By managing eating patterns, controlling alcohol intake, and maintaining regular schedules, we can protect our gastrointestinal health while relishing delicious foods and cherishing time with our loved ones.

Wishing everyone a safe and enjoyable New Year, with satisfyingly comfortable meals, joyful gatherings, and peace throughout the family. Let’s triumph in this 'Spring Festival Stomach Protection Battle' together!

Content from: Guangdong Provincial Association for Science and Technology

Content resources are provided by the project unit.

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