When you reach the age of 40+, the common problem in many individuals is “gas” or “gastric stomach problems”. The root cause of the problem is in the stomache/oesophagus. There may be disturbance of gastric mucosa which can lead to acid secretion. Gastric problems can also occur when acids contact stomache nerve endings. They cause lot of pain and discomfort.
So what is Gastric Mucosa?
The gastric mucosa is the mucous membrane layer of the stomach which contains the glands and the gastric pits. In men it is about 1 mm thick and its surface is smooth, soft, and velvety.
It is a common knowledge that everybody has gas and eliminates it by burping or passing it through the rectum. But this can be uncomfortable and embarrassing when the quantity of gas increases in the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and large intestine. The human gas primarily consists primarily of – carbon dioxide, oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, and sometimes methane – which are mostly odorless vapors.
Causes of Gastric Problems ?
When there is lot of physical and mental stress, it can cause ulceration. Ulceration is nothing but formation of an ulcer or aggregation of ulcers.
An ulcer is a discontinuity or break in a bodily membrane that impedes the organ of which that membrane is a part from continuing its normal functions.
When there is lot of inflammation of the gastric mucosa. This can be due to acidic foods, alcohol, smoking, stress and drugs.
Another cause can be Antibiotics. The negative side of antibiotics is that it can kill good bacteria which are useful for digestion. They not only affect the beneficial bacteria but also the pathogenic bacteria which are helpful in protecting us against diseases.
Finally the basic causes for gastric problems can be stress, inflammation of gastric mucosa and antibiotics. So reducing stress, eating proper foods and taking less antibiotics (if possible) can reduce the effects of gastric problems.