Almost everyone has experienced stomach pain. What should you do when you have stomach pain? Do you quickly take medication to relieve the pain or just try to ignore it? Whether it is a mild discomfort or severe pain, when your stomach sends out a distress signal, don’t take it lightly!
Possible Causes of Stomach Pain
1. Mental Stress/Pressure
There are countless nervous systems around the stomach. Today, people are generally under a lot of mental stress, and if they are in a state of repression and anxiety for a long time, it can easily trigger the digestive system nerves, leading to chronic stomach diseases. Those who have a history of stomach pain are more likely to experience a recurrence of stomach diseases due to factors such as physical weakness and a weakened immunity. As early as the 1930s, Dr. Wolfe of New York Hospital in the United States conducted an experiment and found that patients under high pressure, especially when their emotions fluctuate greatly, secrete more gastric acid and gastric protein B than usual, causing direct stimulation and damage to the stomach wall, leading to stomach pain.
2. Unhealthy Diet
Unhealthy eating habits can damage the gastric mucosa and put a heavy burden on the stomach, leading to stomach pain. These habits include irregular mealtime and food portion, skipping meals, excessive smoking and drinking, spicy food, excessive feasting at every meal, consuming too much processed foods such as sausages, pickled foods, salted meat, instant noodles, etc. The following are a few more commonly overlooked unhealthy dietary habits:
a) Hot Food
People who are more accustomed to eating hot food may constantly experience heat stimulation in the mouth and esophagus. When the digestive system is repeatedly stimulated for a long time without sufficient time for repair, it may increase the risk of esophageal or stomach cancer.
b) Not Using Serving Utensils
The discovery of Helicobacter pylori at the end of the 20th century was a major milestone in the medical field. Dr. Barry J. Marshall from Australia discovered the bacterium and pointed out its close relationship with gastritis, peptic ulcers, and even stomach cancer, for which he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine in 2005. Developing hygienic dining habits, such as using serving utensils and avoiding feeding each other, can effectively reduce the risk of H. pylori infection.
3. Drug Effects
Improper use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin, is also a cause of stomach pain. Drugs used for a long time without a doctor’s prescription can directly stimulate the gastric mucosa and even inhibit the generation of protective mucosa, causing damage to the gastrointestinal tract. In severe cases, it may cause acute gastric mucosal lesions.
4. Unhealthy Lifestyle
Regularly staying up late can harm the stomach by not only disrupting the endocrine system but also preventing the stomach and intestines from repairing and resting properly. In addition, food consumed after normal dinner time, such as late-night snacks, tends to stay in the stomach when it should be resting and can cause an increase in secretion of gastric juice and stimulation of the stomach mucosa, leading to stomach ulcers.
5. Gastroesophageal Reflux
Gastroesophageal reflux, or acid reflux, refers to a type of stomach discomfort caused by the abnormal backflow of stomach contents into the esophagus, causing a range of discomfort such as chest pain, heartburn, and acid regurgitation.
6. Stomach Ulcers
A gastric/stomach ulcer is a type of peptic ulcer disease which occurs when the mucosa is constantly eroded by stomach acid, causing a wound that cannot heal and thus resulting in an ulcer. Pay high attention to gastric ulcers because they could lead to stomach cancer if not careful.
How to Relieve Stomach Pain ?
People who frequently experience stomach pain may choose to consume health foods with stomach-strengthening effects to alleviate their discomfort. However, without understanding the root cause of their stomach issues, it can be difficult to determine the appropriate treatment. Different types of stomach pain require different treatments, so consuming health foods without proper knowledge may not effectively relieve pain and could potentially lead to other stomach problems.
Grandmaster JinBodhi once said, “My definition of a healthy diet is to eat various kinds of food. Eating only one type of food is not good for the body. Basically, we should eat seasonal and local food, pay attention to the nutritional content, practice healthy eating habits, not overeat, use healthy cooking methods, etc. All of these help relieve stomach pain and help achieve balanced health.” In short, a healthy stomach comes with a healthy and balanced diet.
Reducing Stomach Pain with Meditation
Daniel Goleman, known as “the father of modern emotional intelligence”, and neuroscientist Richard J. Davidson point out in their book Altered Traits: Science Reveals How Meditation Changes Your Mind, Brain, and Body that meditation can effectively reduce stress physically and mentally. In recent years, meditation has gained widespread recognition in the field of medicine. According to neuroscience research, meditation can help effectively reduce the negative effects of stress. Some people may refuse to meditate due to religious factors; however, meditation can be completely secular and non-religious.
Replenishing Vital Energy Quickly with Energy Bagua
Energy Bagua can adjust and balance the body’s energy, which help enhance immunity and strengthen the physical condition. As we circle slowly around a tree, our body and mind gradually become calm, and we become one with Nature and absorb the energy of the Universe, thereby quickly replenishing vital energy.
Shaking Off Stomach Discomfort and Rediscovering Health
The following features a meditation sharing by Rosalinda Martínez:
Four years ago, I was diagnosed with gastritis. The constant stomach pain and indigestion made me negative, pessimistic, and depressed. I then started taking antidepressants and a side effect occurred in the form of leg tremors. Due to recurring gastritis, after undergoing gastrointestinal surgery, my weight dropped from 128 pounds to 80 pounds.
Later, I signed up for an 8.5-Day Health and Happiness Retreat. When practicing the Meditation of Greater Illumination (GI), I felt so comfortable, and I had never felt like that before. Practicing meditation also resolved the conflicts between me and my daughter. My daughter left with her father when she was very young, which caused a rift between us. During meditation, I deeply confessed and repented my own mistakes, and tears flowed uncontrollably, but at the same time, my heart was filled with a huge joy and peace.
Next, I also learned Energy Bagua and my health began to improve. Now, my gastrointestinal function has returned to normal, and I no longer need to take medication. My weight has also increased to 86 pounds.
Meditation did what the antidepressants could not do, which is making me happy. Even my friends were surprised to see how I had transformed and said that I am more cheerful. Bodhi Meditation has freed me from my physical and emotional pain and given me hope in life. Now, I am grateful, and I hope more people are blessed like me.
(Results of Practicing Energy Bagua May Vary Individually)
Conclusion
When stomach pain occurs, as well as following the doctor’s instructions if there has been a clear diagnosis, other kinds of stomach discomfort should not be taken lightly as a normal occurrence. This is because many acute stomach conditions, such as appendicitis, peritonitis, ulcer perforation, intestinal obstruction, gastrointestinal bleeding, etc., require immediate medical attention to avoid the condition from worsening.
Meditation helps in enhancing overall immune function. When the body’s immunity is damaged, it is prone to become vulnerable, and the entire digestive system may also be affected due to various changes in the external environment. Nowadays, meditation has become a trend that serves more than just relaxation, it is also a wisdom of life. Today, for those who have been stressed for a long time, meditation is no doubt an excellent option to improve their health and unwind.
