At the Spleen and Stomach Clinic of Shenzhen Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, patients aged 20 to 40 now account for over 60% of all consultations. Professor Guo Shaocu, Head of the Department, notes that stomach ailments are no longer a condition typical of the elderly. Instead, medical professionals observe a significant increase in cases of "emotionally induced digestive diseases." Many patients receive endoscopy results showing no physical damage yet experience persistent bloating, cramps, or chronic diarrhea.

Xiao Lin, 26, is an example. He regularly stays up late for projects, eats irregularly, skips breakfast, and consumes large amounts of food late at night. Work pressure led Lin to a state of anxiety and chronic insomnia. For over one year, whenever he worked overtime or felt stressed, he experienced severe abdominal pain and diarrhea. He self-medicated with probiotics and anti-diarrhea medication, but the symptoms consistently recurred.

Illustration of stomach ulcers. *Photo: Adobe*.

After examining Lin, Professor Cu diagnosed him with "Liver-Spleen Disharmony," a condition resulting from unstable emotions disrupting the spleen and stomach's digestive and transport functions. The doctor prescribed Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in combination with radical lifestyle changes for Lin.

Lin was instructed to eat on time, avoid cold drinks, sleep early, and find ways to relieve stress. After one month of adhering to this regimen, his symptoms disappeared. Professor Cu highlighted that habits like using phones while eating, preferring cold beverages, and prolonged stress silently undermine digestive health.

To prevent such conditions, experts advise people to eat on time, chew thoroughly, and prioritize warm foods to preserve the stomach's yang energy. Mentally, individuals need to learn how to alleviate pressure, avoiding anger or anxiety that could negatively impact the liver and spleen. Aiming to sleep before 11 PM aids in the rapid recovery of qi and blood, while maintaining walking or practicing qigong supports smooth bowel function.

Additionally, individuals must actively prevent H. pylori infection by washing hands before meals and using separate utensils. When the body exhibits early signals such as bloating or burping, patients should consult a specialist for root cause treatment rather than self-medicating with painkillers or dietary supplements.

My Y (According to Sohu)