The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1944-06-20

questions or general interest,"
only, and then only through
his column.
ant gas are not usually caused by
organic disease Of the stomach,
but are refexes due to irritation
from a point of stimulus far re-
moved from the stomach.
Most of these foci of irritation
VT argued lie in the individuals
habit of life, the lack Of adjust
ment TO the ordinary affairs and
routine of existence. And for them
the best treatment is psychology
cal. If the dyspeptic can be per-
suaded TO take a saner view Of his
life, his stomach will act in a more
normal manner.
There are, however, other causes
that are more tangible and physi-
cal which We can lump under bad
habits and the rest of the treat
ment of dyspepsia consists in an
attempt to control these and re-
duce their irritations to a mini
mum. Those we wi, discuss today.
Food Habits
High on this list come food
habits. Many an unhappy person
endowed with the gossamer d.
gestive apparatus of a mayfy is
toiling through life imposing on
his organisms alimentary feats
worthy Of a mastodon. Hurried
meals, irregular meals, big meals,
three meals a day, indigestible
foods all go to make up the pic
ture.
A diet may be defective in .
number of ways: in respect Of
bulk, of temperature, of fluid con-
ten, of excess of irritating sub
stances. A stomach is VIGOROUSLY
tolerant towards temporary in
dulgences and indiscretions, but
their persistence may lead to dys-
pepsia. It is a common expert
ence to find patients suffering
from dyspepsia who have put
themselves on a regime which con-
sists mainly of fluids and soft
foods which is inadequate in bulk
as well as in nutritional balance.
There are few diseases of the
stomach, aside from ulcer, that
necessitate such a diet for more
than a few days.
Efficient mastication seems 10
be a lost art and is no longer pur-
sued with enthusiasm. But the
slightest pause for thought would
convince many dysreptics that
mastication is the first step in d.
gestion rendering the food soft
and more amenable TO the diges-
tive juices of the stomach, intes-
tins and pancreas. Many a case
Of chronic dyspepsia can be dated
from the time when all the teeth
were pulled and when the subject
had to wait weeks for satisfactory
dentureS.
Adequate Biting Surface
There is no general agreement
as TO what constitutes an adequate
biting surface, but useful guide
may be obtained by giving point
for each pair Of teeth which meet
in opposition and two points for q
pair of molars meeting at all four
cusps. In a normal mouth the total
number of possible points is
twenty-five and the minimum
number for satisfactory mastica-
ton IS eight, and this must include
a pair Of molars.
Tobacco and alcohol are bound
TO be accused by friends and fam
lily of the dyspeptic. Physiology,
/ am reluctantly bound to admit,
is on the side Of the friends and
family. The term gastritis is used
quite freely by those who like
definite word or term for their
dyspepsia. So far as l have been
able to find in a long experience
there is no such thing as gastritis,
except alcoholic gastritis.
Ii the continuous use Of alcohol
on an empty stomach will produce
Inflammation why will not the &C.
caslonal use aggravate the symp-
toms of discomfort in the stomach
which in a dyspeptic are always
ready to the surface. Tobacco
stimulates the vagus nerve and
stimulation Of the vagus nerve
causes extra secretion Of hydroch-
loric acid in the stomach.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
f. J. NJ: Would it be serious
for person with a nervous heart
TO undergo surgery!
Answer: No, on the contrary IL
would probably do him or her good
as it would take the mind of the
heart
movement for Tom Thomas f