Hello everyone, I'm Dr. Xiang Rong. Recently I met a patient who was a forty-year-old man who had been suffering from atrophic gastritis for many years. Recently, his weight suddenly dropped by more than a dozen pounds, which made him very worried. He looked up some information on the Internet, and as a result, he scared himself so much that he thought he had stomach cancer. So, he hurried to my clinic to ask.
In fact, weight loss does not necessarily mean that you have cancer. In addition to cancer, there are many other causes that can lead to weight loss. For this patient, his weight loss may be due to atrophic gastritis.
When the glands in the stomach atrophy, gastric acid secretion decreases and pepsin activity decreases, which leads to a decrease in digestive function. Traditional Chinese medicine calls it weakness of the spleen and stomach. When the spleen and stomach are weak, the ability to transform qi and blood also decreases, and nutrients cannot be absorbed and converted, resulting in weight loss.
In addition, atrophic gastritis may also cause symptoms such as loss of appetite, stomach pain, and stomach bloating, making it impossible for patients to eat normally. In the long run, the patient's weight will naturally decrease.
In this case, we usually use traditional Chinese medicine to improve the patient's spleen and stomach function, clear dampness and heat, and relieve liver and qi. This can help the patient gradually regain their appetite and gain weight.
In conclusion, don't panic too much if you notice a sudden weight loss. It is very important to seek medical attention promptly and follow the doctor's advice. At the same time, maintaining a positive mindset and a healthy lifestyle also contributes to the recovery and health of the body. Gastrointestinal oncologist Xiang Rong