Stomach diseases, according to doctors, are quite common and can cause significant discomfort, as well as lead to significant disruptions in the functioning of the digestive system. Although most people have a general understanding of the location of this organ and its functions, there are plenty of myths and misunderstandings about it.
Regarding misconceptions about stomach function, candidate of medical sciences, gastroenterologist Natalia BODUNOVA spoke.
1. Digestion occurs exclusively in the stomach, and then food just exits
The process of digestion in the body is a complex multi-step system. Contrary to popular belief, absorption does not occur in the stomach; only water, glucose, and alcohol are absorbed there. The stomach performs many other important functions — it prepares food for further absorption and disinfects the food bolus. In the first case, digestive enzymes work to “break down” the incoming food into smaller particles, and in the second case, hydrochloric acid “destroys” foreign microorganisms. Thanks to peristalsis — wave-like contractions in the stomach — food is thoroughly mixed and moved to the next part of the gastrointestinal tract — the small intestine, where the necessary components are absorbed into the blood.
2. The stomach can shrink if you eat less
The stomach is a muscular organ and, like all muscles, has a certain elasticity. When consuming a large volume of food at once, the walls of the stomach can indeed stretch, increasing its volume.
3. Thin people have smaller stomachs than overweight people
This is not always the case. A person's body mass depends on many factors, primarily the balance of calories consumed and expended. For example, athletes can consume a large amount of food (and, accordingly, calories), but their body mass may not change because their energy expenditure is also high.
4. Heartburn can be cured by consuming milk
Heartburn, like any other symptoms, requires a doctor's consultation. Milk is a food product and cannot be considered a medicine.
5. Food stays in the stomach for 6-10 hours, decomposes, and causes belching, heaviness, etc.
The average time food spends in the stomach is about 2 hours. There are conditions where the motility of the stomach is not efficient enough, or there is a mechanical obstruction to the passage of the food bolus, leading to delayed evacuation from the stomach. However, this is already a pathology that requires medical intervention.
6. If you eat at night, food digests more slowly than during the day
Eating heavily before bedtime is undesirable in any case. It's not just about digestion: when a person lies down, the conditions for reflux of stomach contents into the esophagus along with acid and digestive enzymes improve. Moreover, the processes occurring in the gastrointestinal tract are not as effective as when awake. Typically, in such cases, patients report worsened sleep, and in the morning may experience swelling, a bitter taste in the mouth, and nausea.
7. Stomach diseases can be treated with herbs and folk remedies
When any diseases arise, it is necessary to consult a doctor. This is important not only for accurate diagnosis but also for effective treatment. Delaying can lead to serious complications, the treatment of which can be very complicated. Folk recipes can only be used if there are no diseases and you simply enjoy their taste. If the power goes out in an apartment, everyone understands that attempting to fix it themselves can be dangerous, and they call an electrician. The human body is much more fragile, and it is easier to harm it. Therefore, it is better to leave this matter to a specialist.
8. A stomach ulcer causes nervousness in a person
On the contrary, one of the main factors contributing to the development of peptic ulcer disease is considered to be stress.
9. Stomach rumbling is heard when a person is hungry
Rumbling is simply the sound of peristalsis. Its audibility depends on the intensity of contractions in the stomach and intestines, as well as the physiological characteristics of the individual.
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