Stomach pain, bloating, or heartburn may become familiar symptoms for working adults facing stress and a fast-paced life. Many dismiss these as temporary issues, thinking a stomach-coating medicine will quickly fix them. However, ignoring these symptoms can mark the start of a dangerous chronic upper gastrointestinal disorder.
Dr. Sawinee Jiriyasin, a specialist in gastroenterology and hepatology at Vimut Hospital, has issued a warning about this silent threat, explaining the warning signs and proper ways to manage it before the disease progresses beyond control.
Our digestive system has a 'biological clock' mechanism that regulates acid secretion, digestion, and stomach contractions to maintain balance. However, common habits among working adults unknowingly disrupt this system, including shift work, late nights, insufficient rest, irregular meal times, skipping breakfast then overeating late at night, and the popular habit of "eating and immediately sleeping."
These behaviors cause food to remain in the stomach longer, leading to fullness, bloating, and irritation or inflammation of the stomach lining. They also increase the risk of acid reflux irritating the esophagus.
Though both conditions affect the upper digestive tract and cause similar discomfort, they differ clearly in causes, origins, and key symptoms as follows:
1. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
This disease mainly results from stomach acid flowing back into the esophagus. It is often triggered by eating late at night, lying down immediately after meals, and being overweight. The most noticeable symptoms include heartburn, sour belching, or a bitter taste in the throat.
2. Gastritis
Gastritis arises from irritation or inflammation of the stomach lining. Common triggers include irregular meal times, accumulated stress, regular use of NSAID painkillers, and infection with H. pylori bacteria. Typical symptoms are pain or tightness around the upper abdomen, nausea, bloating, and feeling full sooner than usual.
Allowing chronic inflammation of the upper digestive tract is not just inconvenient; it can lead to serious diseases.
Chronic acid reflux: can cause severe esophagitis and develop into Barrett’s esophagus, which increases the risk of esophageal cancer.
Gastritis: especially in cases infected with H. pylori bacteria, if left untreated, can lead to chronic ulcers and increase the risk of stomach cancer.
If you experience vomiting blood, black stools, difficulty swallowing, unexplained weight loss, anemia, fatigue, or chronic abdominal pain—particularly if you are over 50 or have a family history of gastrointestinal cancer—you should avoid self-medicating and see a doctor immediately.
If symptoms are suspicious, self-treatment may be ineffective. Today’s medical technology offers precise tools such as gastroscopy, allowing doctors to closely examine abnormalities in the esophagus, stomach, and upper small intestine.
Additionally, tissue samples can be taken during this procedure to test for H. pylori infection. Other in-depth tests include 24-hour acid reflux monitoring or barium swallow X-rays, enabling tailored treatment plans.
"I encourage everyone to start taking care of themselves by reducing or quitting risky behaviors alongside annual health check-ups. If symptoms arise, do not wait until they worsen. You can consult a doctor for screening immediately, as early detection greatly improves treatment outcomes," said Dr. Sawinee Jiriyasin in closing. .