Do the sentences mentioned below sound familiar to you? “The dumplings are eaten while they are hot, the hotter they are, the better they are”, “Children, eat quickly, who will be rewarded for eating quickly”, “2 taels of wine a day is good for your health”. These seemingly correct habits of life are actually hurting the esophagus, which is the main channel through which our body delivers nutrients, one layer at a time.
The latest worldwide cancer figures reveal that esophageal cancer is ranked 11th among the most common cancers globally, with about 75% of new cases and deaths esophageal cancer are in Asia, most of which are concentrated in China. Are we really powerless in front of such a frightening reality? The answer, of course, is “no”. Actually, if we know and understand it thoroughly, we can figure out a way to deal with it. Next, let’s uncover the six factors that harm the esophagus the most.
1. Eat “fast food, hard food”
A great number of people are accustomed to eating fast, which can be termed as “wolfing”. This kind of eating not only leads to insufficient chewing of the food but also the impact of rough food on the esophagus can strip the esophageal mucosa, causing bleeding and ulcers, which may eventually develop into cancer.
2. Eat “hot food”
Most people like to consume hot food and think “eating it when it heats up makes the stomach uncomfortable”. In fact, our esophagus is not able to take the constant irritation of high temperatures. A 2016 study published in The Lancet Oncology clearly indicated that the consumption of hot drinks over 65℃ can significantly elevate the risk of esophageal cancer. The oesophageal mucosa is very tender and extremely insensitive to high temperatures. A diet with a temperature above 65℃ will directly burn the esophagus, and long-term and repeated damage will cause pathological changes such as damage, ulceration, and bleeding of the mucous membranes. During ongoing damage and repair, the risk of cancer being formed also gradually gets increased.
3. Eat pickles and overnight food
Overnight foods are more likely to be stocked with mold if they are not stored properly and mold as well as pickled foods frequently contain carcinogens such as nitrites and aflatoxins. Besides, nitrites are mainly found in fried and grilled foods. Hence, to ensure one’s health, the consumption of these foods should be limited to the minimum, if not stopped completely.
4. Smoking, drinking
“A cigarette after a meal is better than a living god; 2 taels of wine a day is free and comfortable”—— This seemingly pleasurable and effortless way of living is actually the major force that drives health risks forward. There are many different kinds of dangerous chemicals in tobacco, among which one can be a big reason of cancer. However, in the case of alcohol, the situation is quite opposite, as the only reason it can be blamed for is the continuation of the necrosis process in case the consumption is long-term, especially if the alcohol is a strong one. Repeated damage to the esophageal mucosa, necrosis, and even cancer are the most likely consequences of this kind of consumption.
5. Not eating vegetables and fruits
There are several research works that support the idea, which also Iawys came to my mind first, that the patients suffering from esophageal cancer are usually deficient in the trace elements iron, molybdenum, zinc, and selenium, and vitamins A, B2, and C. The aforementioned nutrients are very common in all kinds of vegetables and fruits. In case of insufficient intake of vegetables and fruits for a long period of time, it will be very easy to bring about the above micronutrient deficiency.
6. Minor illnesses are not taken seriously
At times, quite a number of people have had esophageal diseases like esophagitis, esophageal polyps, or achalasia diagnosed during their physical check-ups, but they never take them seriously because the symptoms are hardly noticeable. Note: If local lesions are not medically intervened in time and living habits are not adjusted, the esophageal mucosa may gradually undergo histological changes, or even eventually develop into cancer.
Based on the above factors, let me summarize a few key points of protection for easy memory:
In everyday diet, control the temperature to 65℃ and take your time with chewing.
Be away from tobacco, alcohol, fried, pickled, and mildewed foods.
Let the intake of vegetables and fruits be ample.
If you do not treat minor illnesses actively, then take regular physical examinations as your key. Gastroscopy is the most accurate method of diagnosis and detection of esophageal disorders, and it is recommended every 3—5 years.
The main keys to success in the battle with esophageal tumor are early detection, early diagnosis, and early treatment.
In case you are experiencing pain behind the breastbone, slow or difficult swallowing, progressive dysphagia, along with upper abdominal discomfort, unexplained weight loss, and symptoms of gastrointestinal bleeding such as vomiting blood and melena, pay great attention and rush to a regular medical institution for professional diagnosis and treatment.
“Dr. Puneet Girdhar, currently serves as the Director of Orthopedic Spine Surgery at BLK Centre for Orthopaedics, Joint Reconstruction & Spine Surgery at BLK Super Speciality Hospital in New Delhi. With extensive experience, Best Orthopedic surgeon in Delhi, Dr. Girdhar specializes in microendodiscectomies, minimally invasive spinal decompressions and fusions, artificial disc replacements, and deformity correction in the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine. He expertly treats a broad range of spinal conditions, including congenital, degenerative, neoplastic, and traumatic.”
