#How Is Gastritis Diagnosed

[gofitnesspro]

Understanding Gastritis: Causes, Symptoms, And Treatments

Gastritis is a condition that inflames the belly lining (the mucosa), inflicting belly aches, indigestion (dyspepsia), bloating, and nausea. It can be acute or chronic. Medications and dietary modifications can lessen stomach acid and reduce gastritis symptoms. Why Should You Understand Gastritis? If left untreated, gastritis can lead to several complications increasing your risk of stomach…

[barnbridges]

every person who says self diagnosis is bad has never actually dealt with a doctor enough times.

[cannabiscomrade]

It's Gastroparesis Awareness Month

Hi! I have gastroparesis and I'm an insufferable know-it-all so let's talk about it!

Gastroparesis, or a paralyzed stomach, is a condition that causes delayed gastric emptying.

This can cause a range of symptoms and complications:

nausea

vomiting

early satiety/fullness

upper gastric pain

heartburn

malabsorption

dehydration

malnutrition

Gastroparesis can be treated by a gastroenterologist, but often needs to be managed by a motility specialist due to a lot of misconceptions about the condition. Providers, especially in the emergency department, will commonly misdiagnose gastroparesis as cannabis-hyperemesis syndome, cyclic vomiting syndrome, gastritis, food poisoning, etc.

There are several commonly known causes of gastroparesis like vagus nerve damage from diabetes, injury to the stomach, and stomach surgery like hernia repair or bariatric surgery. There are also idiopathic cases with no known cause. Other causes of gastroparesis are:

Connective tissue disorders like HSD and EDS (commonly hEDS and cEDS)

Post-viral (like COVID, viral gastritis, mononucleosis/Epstein-Barr)

Restrictive eating disorders

Autoimmune diseases like Systemic sclerosis (scleroderma), Lupus, Hashimoto's

Central nervous system disorders

Gastroparesis also has common comorbidities with conditions like:

POTS and other forms of dysautonomia (POTS, EDS, and gastroparesis are a common triad of diagnoses)

MCAS

SMAS (which can also present with similar symptoms to GP)

Intestinal dysmotility and esophageal dysmotility disorders (known as global dysmotility)

PCOS with insulin resistance

Endometriosis

SIBO/SIFO

Chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction

Migraines

Certain medications like Ozempic and other drugs in that class act on the digestive system to delay gastric emptying, which has caused people to be diagnosed with gastroparesis. Some people report that their cases have not gone away since stopping the medication, others report feeling better after stopping. Other drugs like opiates and narcotics can cause delayed gastric and intestinal motility as well, but these are commonly known side effects of those painkiller classes.

Gastroparesis is classed based on severity and graded based on how you respond to treatment.

Severity of delay ranges from mild to very severe, and this is based on your actual stomach retention calculated at 4 hours into a gastric emptying study.

The grading scale ranges from one to three, one being mild and three being gastric failure.

There is no consistent single treatment that is proven to work for gastroparesis, and there is no cure. Treatments can consist of:

Diet changes (3 Step Gastroparesis Diet, liquid diet, oral sole source nutrition)

Prokinetic (motility stimulating) drugs

Anti-nausea medications

Proton-pump inhibitors

Gastric stimulator/gastric pacemaker

Pyloric botox and dilation

G-POEM/pyloroplasty

Post-pyloric tube feeding

Gastric venting/draining

Parenteral nutrition

IV fluids

Other surgical interventions like gastrectomy or rarely, transplant

Gastroparesis is a terrible disease and I hope that if any of these symptoms resonate with you that you can get checked out. I was misdiagnosed for a long time before getting a proper gastroparesis diagnosis, and all it took was a gastric emptying study. This is ESPECIALLY true if you're having post-COVID gastrointestinal problems that are not improving. I almost died from starvation ketoacidosis because of how serious my GP got in a short period of time post-COVID (I had GP before COVID), and now I'm tube reliant for all my nutrition and hydration.

Stay safe friends!

[oneshortdamnfuse]

I like how when my dad went to the ER for chest and abdominal pain, they ran multiple tests including an ECG, X Ray and CT scan, gave him a double dose of pain medicine, and diagnosed him with gastritis within five hours, sending him home with prescriptions and a detailed sheet on how to deal with it.

When I went to the ER with chest and abdominal pain, they did an ECG. Noted it was "normal," and then left me to writhe there in pain for hours with no pain relief and no additional tests other than a physician coming over to interrogate me on what could be causing my anxiety and I went home with no diagnosis, endured severe disabling attacks for an entire year until I met with a female doctor who ordered additional tests that diagnosed that my gallbladder was failing and my intestines were on the wrong side of my body and even then when I went to a consultation with a surgeon, they asked me what made me think my gallbladder was failing even though I had been told so through ultrasound and they told me not to worry so much about my intestines being on the wrong side of my body even though I had chronic abdominal pain and vitamin deficiencies.

Love that.

[mueritos]

Another joins the Autistic IBS sufferer gang 🤝 it’s funny how it’s so common with us lmao

its hilariously also a trans thing LOL....my therapist thinks I developed IBS in my youth (diagnosed with ibs/gastritis since 4th grade) because I was dealing with gender dysphoria but just didnt know it (and now im thinking it may have also been autism shit too). but yes it is incredibly common for these 2 populations (trans and autistic) to have gastrointestinal issues

[hypnoneghoul]

I forgot to add this in the first one, but a continuation to my thoughts. As someone who lives in a country with a... decent... (sometimes, as I had to beg my gp for 5 years to send me to specialists for my stomach pains (I have been diagnosed with gastritis) and headaches (no clue why for now but getting tests done, my neurologist thinks I might've had a brain infection... not scary at all and I refuse to believe for now) and her the entire time blaming it on a "growing organism") medical system, I feel absolutely no jealousy towards you. Everyone deals how they can in their situation and makes the best of what they can. Needing or taking medication isn't something people brag about, and neither are illnesses. It's problems that people face day to day and often for the rest of their lives. In these things there's no space for jealousy or bragging. People who think there is, must be out of their damn minds.

Keep living your life how you want, i wish you all the best and let the haters hate. <3

-the new anon (i'm not putting this one as anon bc I do not care if people come for me for what I said. I will stand for my opinions.)

I genuinely don't know what else I could say here apart from thank you for saying this, again <3

[smolgayartnerd]

Things are,, hard. Right now. This entire week has had me crying a lot because my poor bby cat is sick. She has trouble eating. She has spent the past few days in the hospital and when she gets out she will need a long-term prescription diet because she was just diagnosed with IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease).

They were supposed to discharge her today and I was really excited to take her home. Unfortunately when they took her off her appetite stimulants (she was having gastritis all week) she wasn't eating as much as they were hoping. They said they can either give her steroids or do a surgical biopsy to check for things like viruses or cancer. I can't afford the surgery so I opted for stimulants, and I'm kinda banking on them working. I don't want to think about what I might have to do if they don't work.

I'm currently unemployed and am relying on family money/trust. I am very privileged to have gotten this far thanks to those things. Most people don't get that with their pets. That said, my/the family's money is not limitless so I don't think I can do anything if these steroids don't work.

What really upsets me most aside from the possibility of losing my cat who is honestly like a child to me, is that my aunt (who manages mine and my mother's trust funds since we are both disabled) kinda implied that she doesn't want me getting another cat regardless of whether or not my current cat is okay. I live alone. Because I'm autistic I have had a lot of trouble dealing with my own habits and having roommates. That said, like most people I do get lonely on some level and having a cat has really helped me fill that void for the most part.

I'm not asking anyone for anything. Again, I recognize my own privilege to have been able to get this far in treating my baby. Last night I saw a post of someone asking for help to afford the $60 to collect their cat's ashes because she got sick and died so suddenly. I didn't exactly know whether or not that post was being legit. I know the "sick cat" thing is a common Tumblr scam. I am not going to accuse that person of anything, but I also had no way of really knowing how legit they are. If this is for real though, I hope I can find them again and maybe give them a little bit because I know how difficult this all is. I feel lucky to have noticed my baby's declining health as soon as I did.

I kinda just wanted somewhere to vent/cry about all this. I want the week to be over.

[beautifulreflections]

Blog Post 4: Looking back to move forward.

Blog Post 4: Looking back to move forward.

This week I’m remembering the why. I truly believe your willpower will only be as strong as your why. So, I’m taking you back to my why, which takes us back almost six years to the birth of my second son. It was a beautiful day, when He was born with His big brown eyes and brown hair making me the proud mom of two healthy boys. Except I still remember the nurse coming in every hour and pricking my youngest son’s feet. It was horrible. I was tired, He was tired, my husband was tired, and all I wanted to do was sleep, but the nurse had to check His blood sugar.

Why? Well because I had gestational diabetes all during the pregnancy leading up to the birth of my second son. My Dad had triple bypass surgery about three years ago, His mom had type 2 diabetes and later developed Alzheimer’s, and my aunt has type two diabetes as well. The gene pool clearly wasn’t flowing in my favor and the sickness seemed to trickle right down to me. The symptoms were low mood and a lack of energy, but I was mom. So, I chalked it up to job description. I mean, all moms are exhausted right? Apparently, these were warning signs of what was to come, I just didn’t know that at the time.

I ate sugar free chocolate pudding every day after dinner to curb my sweet tooth in a healthy way and took walks when my sugar was especially elevated. After I had my son, and after the heartache of hearing Him cry when the nurse checked His blood sugar, I moved on with life, sweets, and all. But a couple years ago I was diagnosed with chronic gastritis and acid reflux. So, this is when I became a vegan. I let go of the meats and cheeses, filled up the fridge with vegetables, and watched many documentaries about how diet is connected to overall health. My favorite documentary is still “What the Health” by Kip Anderson. In this documentary, Kip uncovers the secret to reversing chronic diseases.

After years of living a vegan lifestyle and seeing the health benefits including clear skin, good digestion, and overall increase in energy, I began to get lax in my efforts and became a vegetarian, and now I eat meat again. The point is that those habits are only as effective as my ability to maintain these healthy eating choices consistently and over a long period of time. Now I am focusing on eating healthy foods overall. I’m pulling back out those old but loved vegan recipes including crispy tofu with quinoa and steak seasoned zucchini. I even put some of the candy from my Christmas bag into the communal candy pile for someone else to devour. This may sound small to you, but it’s a big deal for me.

I said no to Super Bowl brownies and key lime cake last night, as well as all the diet sodas that I used to love. My favorite soda used to be cherry coke zero. The point is that Americans, myself included, consume too much sugar. I know I did, and I now must come up with a game plan to leave the sugar where it needs to stay, on the shelf for special occasions. According to the American Heart Association Americans on average consume 20 teaspoons of sugar per day while the recommended daily amount of sugar is 6 teaspoons for women and 9 teaspoons for men. Beverages make up most of our sugar consumption at a whopping 47% which include soft drinks, sports drinks, energy drinks, coffee, and tea. The second leading cause of excess sugar comes from snacks and sweets at 31%.

The point is, sugar consumption has gotten way out of control, especially in the United States, and we need to be aware of the risks associated with excess sugar which include chronic inflammation, tooth decay, acne, advanced skin aging, weight gain and obesity, diabetes and insulin resistance, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, brain loss, cancer, and premature death. Sugar though sweet can be deadly. It’s recommended by John Hopkins Medicine that we avoid sodas and other sugar sweetened beverages, reach for fruits instead of candy, cookies, or other sweet treats, read ingredient labels, and watch for sugar aliases. As it turns out, smoothies with no added sugar still taste sweet because that’s how they are made naturally. If we stop and think before we run to the sweets isle, in the future we will be happy with the choices we make.

            “Always begin with the end in mind.” - Ellen Muth

References:

“How much sugar is too much?” American Heart Association. https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-eating/eat-smart/sugar/how-much-sugar-is-too-much

Ndumele, Chiadi. “Obesity, Sugar, and Heart Health.” Johns Hopkins Medicine. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/obesity-sugar-and-heart-health

[finexbright]

Hi Soni. About what happens with you and food remind me something similar that happened to me. Please feel free to ignore me but just wanted to share my experience with you in case is useful in some way. There was a time that I didn't have a schedule for eating and I sometimes skip breakfast and a lot of hour pass for me to eat something decent like until 12pm or something like that sometimes i eat decent sometimes really few things. With this lack of schedule and consistancy with the food I eat I had gastric reflux that make me feel that I will throw up if I eat at certain hours and even when I felt okay and I eat well I sometimes throw up without any way to control it, I wasn't provoquing it my body because of the acid gastrics somehow did that and it was awful and I didn't want to eat a lot because of that.

After I went to a doctor told me that I have gastritis and that I have to not eat certain foods or spices that make more acid to your body and said to me how important is to not skip meals because it gets worst with time. A nutrionist help me with suggestion for food that I like and taking in consideration my normal schedule with the activities that you do. Is not an easy change, is little steps but the more I was consistent my body stop giving me those problems. I sometimes have those symptoms when I skip meals and I am very anxious, nervous, sad etc. For me at least sometimes the negative emotions affect how much I eat. Maybe you can consider asking a doctor or nutritionist? I hope you don't mind me sharing this with you, I find your ask that you did relatable. I get the sensation that we know how or body works and how much we can handle without food but for me personally the symptoms after were harder to control (I once even pass out for a few secods and was really scary). I also sometimes don't see food interesting but I found that looking for different recepies also helps and is fun cooking with a tutorial and some music. Sending love to you. You don't have to post this. Sorry for my english.

hi. first of all thank you so much for taking time out and sharing this with me, i really do appreciate it. i'm gonna put my reply under the cut because it might get a bit long

the thing with me though is that i've been like this since i was a kid. like my mum told me that for the first two years all i would eat was fruits and nothing else and then gradually i branched out into other foods. when i'm at home (basically under my mum's care) i would drink fresh fruit juice in the morning, then have a proper lunch in the afternoon and in the evening i'd have fruits or a milkshake if i felt like it and this was the diet i got used to. however, i got diagnosed with pcos later on and in the pandemic my mum got really concerned for my health and we spoke to a dietician who prescribed me a diet wherein i had to have "mini meals" every two hours and i did that for 6 months just to please my mum and i spent those 6 months throwing up. that time in my life was truly the worst thing ever regarding my health and after that happened and my mum saw how much i was struggling she finally understood that my body is the way it is. at this point, i've really tried everything and both my doctor and my family have understood that this is my body and that despite the fact that i can only stomach one meal a day it's not doing me any damage, as in i don't feel exhaustion or weakness or anything of the sort and i'm still fit as a fiddle. as long as i'm having a healthy diet, it'll be okay because i do need to eat to take my meds. but yeah i just will forever have this very weird relationship with food and it is what it is

[endoscopybasavanagudi]

Endoscopy in Basavanagudi, Bangalore — Advanced Care at Himas Hospital

What is Endoscopy?

Endoscopy is a minimally invasive diagnostic procedure used to examine the inside of the digestive tract. It involves the use of a thin, flexible tube called an endoscope, which has a camera and light at its tip. This tool allows doctors to view the esophagus, stomach, and upper small intestine in real time, helping to detect abnormalities such as ulcers, polyps, inflammation, and tumors.

Himas Hospital specializes in both diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopies, ensuring comprehensive care for patients with a variety of gastrointestinal conditions.

Why Choose Himas Hospital for Endoscopy in Basavanagudi?

Expert Gastroenterologists Our team of skilled gastroenterologists at Himas Hospital is highly experienced in performing endoscopic procedures. With years of experience, our specialists ensure that the procedure is safe, accurate, and performed with minimal discomfort to the patient.

Advanced Technology Himas Hospital is equipped with the latest endoscopic technology, enabling our doctors to perform high-precision procedures. This allows us to detect gastrointestinal issues at an early stage, improving the chances of effective treatment.

Comprehensive Care We believe in providing a holistic approach to healthcare. Our gastroenterologists work closely with patients from the initial consultation through to diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up care. Whether you need a routine diagnostic endoscopy or therapeutic interventions, you can expect top-tier care at Himas Hospital.

Common Conditions Diagnosed with Endoscopy

Endoscopy is commonly used to diagnose a wide range of gastrointestinal conditions, including:

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): Chronic acid reflux can lead to complications if left untreated. Endoscopy helps assess the severity and determine the best treatment plan.

Ulcers: Stomach ulcers are often detected and diagnosed using endoscopy. Early detection can prevent further complications.

Inflammation: Conditions such as gastritis or esophagitis can be easily identified through endoscopy, allowing for timely treatment.

Celiac Disease: For patients experiencing malabsorption, endoscopy is often used to take biopsies and confirm the diagnosis of celiac disease.

Tumors or Polyps: Early detection of gastrointestinal tumors or polyps can significantly improve treatment outcomes. Endoscopy allows for the detection of these abnormalities at an early stage.

Endoscopy Procedures at Himas Hospital

At Himas Hospital in Basavanagudi, Bangalore, we offer both upper endoscopy and colonoscopy:

Upper Endoscopy (Esophagogastroduodenoscopy — EGD): This procedure allows doctors to examine the esophagus, stomach, and the first part of the small intestine. It is used to diagnose conditions such as GERD, ulcers, and tumors.

Colonoscopy: A colonoscopy examines the large intestine and is commonly used to screen for colorectal cancer, diagnose inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and remove polyps.

Both procedures are performed in a comfortable and safe environment, ensuring that patients receive high-quality care with minimal discomfort.

Preparing for an Endoscopy at Himas Hospital

At Himas Hospital, our medical team provides detailed instructions on how to prepare for an endoscopy. This includes dietary restrictions, medication guidelines, and other important factors to ensure the procedure is successful and stress-free. Our goal is to make the experience as smooth as possible, and we are always available to answer any questions before the procedure.

Why Early Diagnosis Matters

Endoscopy is not only useful for diagnosing existing conditions but also for early detection, which can significantly improve treatment outcomes. Many gastrointestinal issues, including cancer, can be asymptomatic in the early stages, making routine screenings crucial.

Schedule Your Endoscopy at Himas Hospital

If you are experiencing digestive discomfort or require a routine screening, Himas Hospital in Basavanagudi, Bangalore, is here to help. With a team of expert gastroenterologists, cutting-edge technology, and a commitment to patient care, we provide high-quality endoscopy services that prioritize your health and comfort.

For More Information Plaese Click Here .

[adoctorx]

There is currently no evidence to suggest that Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) can cause irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). However, as H. pylori has similar symptoms, some people may confuse the condition for IBS. Is there a link? A large 2020 study in Taiwan found that people in hospital with a H. pylori infection were more likely to also have IBS symptoms. However, the study did not find a correlation between the two conditions. Several other studies have found that there is no evidence that H. pylori can lead to the development of IBS. H. pylori may cause similar symptoms, such as bloating and abdominal pain, that some people may confuse for IBS. Further research is still necessary to confirm if there is a possible link between H. pylori and IBS. What can you do if you develop IBS alongside H. pylori? If you have H. pylori and believe you may also be experiencing symptoms of IBS, it’s important to speak with a doctor. They can confirm if your symptoms are IBS or the result of an underlying condition. They can also create a tailored treatment plan based on your specific needs and medical history. Treating H. pylori is often an effective way to relieve any associated symptoms of IBS. First-line treatment for H. pylori is known as triple therapy, which involves: one proton pump inhibitor, such as omeprazole (Prilosec), pantoprazole (Protonix), and lansoprazole (Prevacid) two antibiotics, such as amoxicillin (Amoxil) and clarithromycin (Biaxin) It can typically take 14 days of treatment for symptoms to ease. It’s important to speak with a healthcare professional if your symptoms don’t go away or worsen. ### What is H. pylori? H. pylori, ‌short for Helicobacter pylori, ⁢is a type of bacteria commonly found in the ​stomach. It ⁢is known for being the primary ​cause of peptic ulcers and can also lead to chronic gastritis. Most people with H. pylori ⁤infection do not experience symptoms, but in some cases, it can cause stomach pain and⁣ lead to more serious gastrointestinal⁢ issues. ### What⁤ is IBS? IBS, or Irritable Bowel Syndrome, is a common intestinal disorder that affects the large intestine. It is​ characterized by symptoms⁤ such as abdominal ⁤pain,⁣ bloating, gas, diarrhea, and constipation. IBS is⁤ a chronic condition that requires management through diet, lifestyle changes, and sometimes medication, as its exact⁤ cause⁢ is not fully understood. ### Is there⁤ a relationship between H. pylori and IBS? The relationship between H. pylori ⁢and⁢ IBS is still a subject of research. Some studies suggest there ⁢may be a link⁣ between the two, as both⁣ involve the⁤ gastrointestinal tract and can share similar symptoms.⁣ However, the evidence ⁣is not ‍conclusive, ⁢and more research is needed ⁣to establish a direct connection between H. pylori​ infection and the development or exacerbation of IBS symptoms. ### ​Can H. ‌pylori infection cause IBS? Currently, there⁣ is no ​definitive evidence that H. pylori infection ​directly causes IBS. ⁣While ⁢some ​studies suggest‌ that‌ H. pylori might play ​a role in ‌IBS symptomatology because of its‌ impact on ‍the digestive system, others ⁤have found no significant association. It is important‍ to understand that IBS is a multifactorial condition and may result from a combination‍ of genetic, environmental, and⁢ psychological factors. ### How is H.⁤ pylori ‌diagnosed? H. pylori infection can be ‌diagnosed using several methods, including⁢ a​ breath test, ‌stool antigen test, blood antibody test, and endoscopy with a⁤ biopsy. The breath test and stool antigen test are commonly used due to their non-invasive nature, whereas a biopsy‍ provides a definitive diagnosis but requires an‍ endoscopic‍ procedure. ### How is IBS diagnosed? IBS ⁣is typically diagnosed based on symptom evaluation and ​ruling⁣ out other conditions that mimic its symptoms.⁢ A healthcare provider might perform a ‌physical examination, review the patient's medical ⁢history,

and recommend diagnostic tests such as blood tests, stool ‌tests, colonoscopy, or imaging studies to exclude other ⁣gastrointestinal‍ disorders. ### How is H. pylori treated? H. ⁤pylori infection is usually treated with a combination of antibiotics to eradicate the bacteria, along with proton pump⁣ inhibitors to reduce‌ stomach acid, allowing the stomach lining to heal. Treatment regimens can vary, but it typically involves taking​ medications for one to ⁤two⁤ weeks. ### How​ is IBS treated? Treatment for⁣ IBS often involves a combination of diet⁣ and lifestyle changes, as well as medications when necessary. Dietary adjustments might include increasing fiber intake, eliminating⁣ trigger foods, and eating smaller, more frequent meals. Stress management, regular exercise, and adequate hydration are also important. In some cases, medications⁢ such as antispasmodics, ​laxatives, or antidiarrheal agents may be⁣ prescribed to manage symptoms. ### Should I get tested for H. pylori if I​ have IBS symptoms? If you have IBS ​symptoms, ‌it is important to consult with a healthcare provider for​ a comprehensive evaluation. Your doctor may‌ recommend testing for ​H. ‍pylori if you have symptoms like unexplained stomach pain, ulcers,⁤ or if you are ​at ​risk for H. pylori infection. However, testing specifically for H. pylori may not ​be ⁤necessary ⁢solely based ​on ‍the presence of IBS⁤ symptoms,‌ unless there is a clinical indication to do‍ so.

[kennexara]

bodies are bullshit. spicy foods, sweet foods, salty foods, anything that actually tastes good, that's probably contributing to my gerd/fatigue/anxiety/the gastritis i got diagnosed with today/every fucking thing wrong with me,

and yet. every fucking time i try to eat a vegetable that isn't a potato or a minuscule amount of cooked carrot. my body can't do the texture. 'have you tried steamed-' yeah and it's SHIT. 'have you tried raw-' raw is the WORST. 'oh you like soft, try peas and corn-' i lied those are the WORST. no WAIT it's the leafy greens. pretty sure vomiting from the texture of salad is also terrible for my body.

like i'm choking down some raw carrot now but fucking christ how is a bitch supposed to live.

maybe i should try baby food again. if it keeps babies alive it should work on me right.

[akmu-archives]

[140410] ['Raise Your Voice High!'] Collected Photos + Excerpts (Part 1)

Collected Photos from the Internet

Photos by 하루 (+ Book Excerpts)

"A pitch-black night without a single light. For some reason, the lights in our house had been off for a while now. Desperate to turn the lights back on but unsure of what to do, I sat in the darkened room and gazed up at the stars in the night sky.

Mongolia has so many stars. Watching the stars twinkling from afar, I felt a sense of loneliness and a surge of emotions. The stars shine brightly, pierce the darkness from high above. This alone draws me to stare at them continuously.

Why do people come to think of stars as "hope"? How much hardship must a star endure? Because it cannot turn away from those who gaze upon it, it must constantly watch over the dark abyss. It must be incredibly difficult to keep an eye on the pitch-black darkness. When I think and look at it that way, I feel even more grateful for the existence of the stars.

Around that time, after I started homeschooling, I barely spoke to Dad. No, it would be more accurate to say that I was avoiding him. Unable to bear my behavior any longer, Dad eventually yelled out,

"This is all your fault!"

His words hurt not only me but also Mom, Suhyun, and most importantly, Dad himself. The strong and dependable Dad fell ill. For two months, he lay bedridden, barely eating, suffering from what was diagnosed as gastritis. But could it have been a physical ailment alone?

On top of that, it was a financially difficult time for our family. Was it just a coincidence that good and bad things came together at once? Dad felt a heavy burden to lead the family as the patriarch. He apologized to us and struggled with his guilt.

At the peak of my adolescence, as a true sophomore in middle school, I felt like it was all my fault. The atmosphere created by the late-rising sun and early-setting moon suffocated me. Though faintly visible in the city, the stars of Mongolia seemed so close.

Like the little stars unable to sleep, I kept tossing and turning in my bed. And so, one day passed, followed by another gloomy one. It seemed like the days were merely there to fade away. Perhaps Mom, Dad, and Soohyun looked at it that way that night too. A faint star shines beyond the bleak darkness and beyond.

"The faint little star that came out to play in the city, why can’t you sleep again?" I wanted to ask that.."

-p.060~062 "A Night Without a Single Light - Chanhyuk"

---

The teacher complimented my voice, suggesting that I should polish it and aim for Berkeley. From then on, the goal of Berkeley grew inside me like a tree.

A few years later, someone left a comment in the guestbook of my mini-homepage. Upon seeing my dream of Berkeley, they advised me to face reality.

"Berkeley isn't a place you can go just because you want to!"

"No matter how much you practice, you won't make it!"

Is there really a place you can't go just because you want to? Even if Berkeley seemed like a difficult place to reach, I didn't waver. I believed that you should aim high for college and dreams. Berkeley was the highest goal I could set. Once I set a goal, my mind painted a clear picture.

"I will definitely pursue music and definitely attend Berkeley. Even if I can't go right away, I will go someday."

With such a clear picture of Berkeley in my mind, I hung it up high.

However, unlike me who was always dreaming, my older brother faced reality. He said bluntly,

"How are you going to Berkeley? There are so many people better than you!"

"No, I can make it starting from now!"

"What about the tuition?"

"I'll get a scholarship and go!"

I thought so simply. There are countless reasons why I can't go, but there was only one reason why I could go: my earnest desire. My brother told me to stop dreaming, but that's not just dreaming. I only think of my dreams.

Why do people get more complicated when they think of their dreams? If you think of your dream simply, a complex reality will straighten out into one…

-p. 064-066 'Berkeley? Let's go! - Suhyun'

What is a dream, exactly? When we talk about dreams, shouldn't it be something like this?

"Doing that would be enjoyable."

Even if it couldn't provide a nice house or a nice car, I thought that doing something I loved was what a dream was. But even that definition seemed too far removed from reality.

Why do we have to decide on our dreams during adolescence? During such a complex and difficult time!

According to my friends, many kids my age were grappling with similar worries. My parents became anxious when I didn't decide on a dream and didn't show efforts to find one. They wanted to have many conversations with me about dreams.

Unlike me, Suhyun discovered her dream early. Whether singing or healing people's hearts through song, singing was an unchanging fact for her. Since elementary school, Suyun had written on her desk, "Let's go to Berkeley!"

However, even when Dad earnestly asked about my dream, I couldn't give a proper answer. Dad must have been frustrated, but I was frustrated too. I flipped through my list of past dreams and found my potential there. I used to love dancing and drawing, so I answered that I wanted to be a worship dancer or a cartoonist.

"If you're just doing dance and drawing as hobbies, that's okay, but isn't it too late to make them your profession?"

Discouraged by Dad's words, I ended up saying, "How about I become a dancing pastor?" by mixing my parents' profession as missionaries with my love of dancing. I thought it was a fresh and revolutionary idea.

But Dad didn't say a word.

After that, Dad spared no advice to help me find my dream and hope. His actions felt like nudging me. Dad and I became more and more at odds.

In Dad's eyes, I seemed to have no dream, and even to myself, being a dancing pastor or painter seemed unconvincing. Knowing Dad looked at me with pitying eyes, I didn't know what to do. Since I didn't know what I wanted to do, I naturally didn't know what to prepare for. I didn't even want to make dancing or drawing my "job." I felt like there must be something more wonderful and suitable for me. I just couldn't find that thing.

If Dad had said, like other dads, "If you want to go to college, you have to study. Stop complaining and study," maybe it would have been easier. However, Dad was the kind of person who said that if you want to do what you want, there's a way even without going to college.

"Can I discover my talent before it's too late?"

It was a problem too difficult to solve on my own.

-p. 067-069 'Too Late for Anything! - Chanhyuk'

---

As a 2nd year student in middle school who had declared "No Entry Allowed for Dad" and was digging endlessly into a cave of my own creation, I started uploading pictures of myself to the internet one day. In those photos, I sported exaggerated expressions and poses full of bravado. I was so satisfied with my exaggerated appearance. People laughed and enjoyed seeing me like that.

No one can stop a middle schooler's bravado. I think we might be the most pretentious beings on Earth. Isn't there even a term called "Chuunibyou" (middle school second-year syndrome)? It's that awkward phase between childhood and adulthood, pretending to be grown-up, pretending to be cool.

But in reality, we might just be a bunch of idiots who know nothing. We just take everything personally, so we get upset for no reason, stubbornly persist, and despite regrets, they never apologize. We're afraid of getting hurt, but we hurt others without hesitation. Most of all, we feel so lonely, like we're all alone in the universe. So maybe that's why we each create our own "dark history."

Just having someone see my dark history makes me feel connected to others, and the more comments and views I get, the more I feel like they understand me. I know I'll be embarrassed when I look back on it later, but it was really important to me at the time.

After <K-Pop Star> ended, I typed my name on the Internet and the related search terms included 'Lee Chanhyuk's dark history' and 'Lee Chanhyuk's Chuunibyou.'

Were there any bizarre pictures of me I didn't know about? I was worried, but when I searched, it was thankfully just my bravado pictures. Showing off is like writing lyrics. I'm still taking pictures these days, and they're even more intense, but I don't want to stop. No, I enjoy the embarrassment. Maybe bravado has wheels? Because it doesn't stop and just keeps speeding up.

I don't upload these pictures to get attention or popularity. Sometimes, it's just a case of pretending that I'm a second-year middle school student with empty delusions and bravado.

Of course, sometimes I get goosebumps all over my body and run out to the living room because I'm embarrassed when I upload pictures. But this is one of the few hobbies I enjoy regularly and quite like. I'll keep doing it even if I get goosebumps from embarrassment looking at my dark history that's uploaded to the internet.

It's pointless to try to find meaning in it or analyze my mental state through it. Embarrassing history is just that—a record of those boring days. Seeing people trying to dig out meaning from it makes me laugh embarrassingly. Yet, why can't I stop? Is this an homage to that difficult mental world of middle school second-year that will last forever?

-p.078~080 'Knight of Darkness – Chanhyuk’

To adults, the worship dance club looked like a strange group with no rules. There were always a few members who missed meetings. But that's just how it is with any group or activity, isn't it? You can't expect 100% participation all the time. Yet, adults consider that 100% very important. They say to value the process, but they still prioritize the outcome.

I had a friend who didn't particularly attend dance club. He was a friend who had severe emotional ups and downs.

"If you come pick me up, I'll go."

That's what my friend would say when I called him.

"Okay, just wait a bit."

So I would turn around and go back to pick up my friend, even though it meant taking a longer route to church. My parents would ask me why I did that. My friend was just saying that because he knew I would do it for him. If I didn't pick him up, he would be hurt. I didn't like it when I got hurt, and I didn't like it when my friends got hurt either.

"You're too soft. You should make them come with you. Why can't you speak up?"

"Why don't you just ask confidently as a leader, instead of going to pick him up?"

I don't think everyone should follow the leader's orders like soldiers. If you get angry because not everyone follows along, you're only going to hurt yourself. I'm not soft at all. If I were really soft, I wouldn't be able to be a leader, and I wouldn't be able to stand up on stage and dance.

'Let's just ignore what other people think or say. I can just do it my way.'

I decided to take it easy that way. The dance club might have looked disorganized to adults, but they always put on amazing shows.

'What's going on in those kids' heads?'

That's what the adults must have been thinking. When we were alone, it was dark, but when we were together, we glowed with passion!

-p.083~084 'If Aliens Gather – Chanhyuk'

---

Through my parents' trip to Mongolia, I finally gained the freedom and independence I had long desired. With my parents away, Suhyun can only look at me.

"Oppa, what should we do?"

"What can we do? We'll have to figure it out on our own."

And that's exactly what we did. Until then, whatever we did, we did it together as a family. Mom sang and danced with us, and we discussed webtoons and novels together. Mom was by my side as I breathed, and Dad was the same.

But now, no matter what, it was just Suhyun and me. Making decisions meant taking responsibility. Bearing responsibility alone felt like carrying a heavy burden. Suhyun asked me about trivial things like what to have for lunch or how to wrap a gift for our grandfather's birthday. Even when we took the express bus to visit our grandfather in Daejeon, she couldn't stay still.

"Oppa, what time is the bus?"

"Can I go to the restroom?"

She asked questions that she could easily answer on his own. Not because she didn't know, but because she couldn't decide on her own! I found myself getting irritated without realizing it and snapped at her abruptly.

"You too, try to use your brain. Can't you think about it yourself? Think?"

"I don't know, Oppa, you decide."

At that moment, hearing Suhyun's simple and clear answer, I knew I had to hold back. Now, there was no one to mediate when we wrestled or fought. So we often ended up silent after a few exchanges, with no one to mediate our fights.

The day my Dad, who was in Mongolia, came to see us, I burst into tears. They say a man should cry only three times in his life, and yet...

"Dad, I miss you."

It was different from when I kissed my dad on the cheek in front of my friends as a joke. At the age of 18, I genuinely missed Dad. Until then, I thought I was a completely independent entity. I found it easier to live outside the house than at home, with friends than with family. But after spending three months without Dad, I realized what it meant to hold the position of "the head of the family." Maybe I would have asked Dad and Mom as many questions as Suhyun did.

From then on, the way I looked at Dad, and the way Dad looked at me, changed. Dad treated me as a confident, independent individual. Whereas before he tried to teach me something, this time he listened to my words first and then asked for my opinion. Above all, he began to "gaze at me lovingly."

-p.156-158 'Our Hopeful Gaze - Chanhyuk'

Now I no longer have a diary. Even if I did, it wouldn't be the same as my old diary anymore. My diary is now in a glass case. Because it could be shattered by someone's attack, I can no longer make it public.

I still want to write in my diary, share stories with friends, and exchange comments. Instead, these days, I sometimes draw pictures and send them, cautiously, to my friends. I'm sad that I can't have a diary because I'm afraid of the sharp words that might be added one by one. I still want to "communicate" with my friends and people.

-p.178 'Glass Case Diary - Suhyun'

---

The greatest privilege of being a teenager is having an open growth plate, where you can do anything. While your growth plates are open, you should grow freely in height, body, and mind. That way, you can embrace your twenties and thirties even more splendidly. Soon enough, you'll become an adult, and the time spent as an adult is much longer. At that point, no matter how much you want to go back to being a teenager, you can't. So why not enjoy this short period of being a teenager to the fullest with teenage-like thoughts and actions?

-p.221 'Open Growth Plate - Chanhyuk'

Source: [목소리를 높여 high!] - 악동뮤지션 : 열정과 성장의 아이콘 악동뮤지션의 음악 에세이

[cannabiscomrade]

hi there, i want to thank you for talking about gastroparesis and sharing your experiences with tube feeding. i may or may not have gastroparesis as well, my gastric emptying test was inconclusive, but my stomach issues are pretty disabling and i have wondered if tube feeding might someday be necessary for me. hearing about your experience makes it a lot less scary sounding! i wonder if you would be comfortable sharing a little more about how tube feeding has improved your health, and impacted your daily life (for better or worse)? are there things you can do now that you couldn’t have done before tube feeding, or vice versa? feel free to take your time answering, or not answer at all if it’s too personal. either way, i appreciate you!

I'd love to talk more about it!

I can empathize with your GES results. They can just end up being just a snapshot of your entire experience, and unfortunately they can just catch you on a "good" day where your emptying times are better. I know some people will intentionally trigger flares to get more accurate numbers on their study.

I'll preface with a little more information about me. I was misdiagnosed for 16 years with Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome and dealt with that and other vague GI diagnoses like GERD and IBS-D episodically and it gradually got worse over time. I was never given a GES until 2022. After I got pregnant and gave birth in 2020 I drifted into this pattern of daily morning vomiting, then I went into a flare last August that I never left. I was diagnosed with gastroparesis in Nov 2022, caught covid for the first time at the end of Nov, and got my tube Jan 2023.

Tube feeding has significantly improved by health. I was slowly dying from starvation ketoacidosis in December 2022. But even when I was eating orally I struggled with severe gastric malabsorption for years and often felt symptoms of malnutrition and saw minor malnutrition on labs and never understood why because I was eating, but because of fatphobia I was never given a GES and I was never taken seriously until I lost a significant amount of weight. In the most severe moments I was having constant diarrhea and vomiting and I've had so many hospitalizations due to dehydration and vomiting alone when I was eating orally.

I'm about 7 months in and I'm getting about 1300-1500ish calories a day, which is not my goal and it needs to be increased. But the difference with it being in my jejunum is that I'm absorbing 100% of those calories and it has helped my energy and my immune system so much. I've been able to significantly slow the weight loss while we investigate the root cause of my gastroparesis, as well as test for intestinal dysmotility. My hair is growing back, my nails are stronger, and I'm having general improvement of my IBS-D.

That being said, being on feeds and fluids, especially continuous feeds, it does impact my lifestyle a lot. I need accommodations at work. I can't let my feeds get over room temp or fluctuate temp too much. When my bags are full and it's in my backpack I'm carrying 2L of liquid and a pump, plus an additional medical bag with supplies. I even have to sleep at an angle to prevent aspiration. And the fun of stoma care. Cats also seem to have a taste for formula and tubing, which has banished my fur children from our bedroom at night. My medical supplies take up half of my dining room. It's certainly a major life change.

But without all of that, I would be dead. For a lot of us, being without alternate nutrition means either death or severe suffering from symptoms of gastroparesis. This is my symptom tracker for vomiting over the past year. You can see the stark difference between July-December and January-now.

This alone was enough for me to justify for myself that a medical device was necessary. Even without the starvation, I still have two hernias from vomiting and developed chronic gastritis secondary to the GP.

The one thing with tube feeding is that your digestive system is like a muscle. If you don't use it, you lose it. And I've definitely noticed a decline in my capacity to tolerate anything in my stomach for long, even liquids. I'm grieving this and learning how to live with this because there isn't an alternative for me at this moment. I'm still trying, I use the gastric port to drain a lot just to keep what little of my stomach's function it still has.

[ohu-thia]

Chronic Gastritis

I've liked kawaii medicalcore / menhera for years but irl i hate dealing with doctors and health problems

I've dealt with a mystery health issue that causes severe stomach pain for over 9 months. In total I've lost 80lbs from not being able to eat anything + no appetite. Most of it was rapidly lost over the course of a few months. The rapid weight loss and being bed bound repeatedly for about a week straight each time caused my muscles to atrophy. I'm slowly building back my strength but I'm no where near how I used to be.

I couldn't even get in for an appointment for over half a year. Couldn't get medical treatment so I had to treat myself, I found a diet through painful trial and basically guessing, causing excruciating flair-ups over and over...Well I finally I got to see doctors and after testing negative for other stuff I got an upper endoscopy.

I got diagnosed with Chronic Gastritis. This can last years, and some people say theirs never went away fully. Mine was caused by an NSAID (Meloxicam) that I was prescribed for years to treat a messed up back, the pills ate my stomach lining up. It's a miracle I didn't get internal bleeding from this since I kept taking them not knowing it was the cause. Would have been nice to see a doctor in a reasonable amount of time, the first thing he did was take me off of it.

I can't eat most foods. What I can eat, I don't really care for. Make one mistake and it causes excruciating pain, and you are set back to day one with healing. Eating other people's cooking is a gamble...I got a surprise with bread a little under a month ago.

Chronic Gastritis fact: There's another type of Chronic Gastritis caused by a bacteria called Helicobacter pylori and it's the only bacteria that is known to cause cancer. It's a major risk factor for Gastric cancer. 60% of the world's population is infected with it, although it usually is asymptomatic and benign.

I tested negative for it though with a breath test, but I'm getting retested along with the other stuff they're checking with my biopsies. I was supposed to get the results in a week but they never bothered to call...The medical system in the US is beyond broken. Guess I'm going to hear it at my follow-up?

posting this bc boogie2988 lol

also here's pictures of my insides...im spoiler-ing it bc its literally my insides

its cool they gave me this I usually have to beg for photos...I wonder where I put that photo of my face x-rayed

[gastro-surgeon-in-chennai]

best gastro surgeon in Chennai | Hematemesis (Vomiting blood ): Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments | Is Hematemesis a Serious Issue?

In this video, we explore hematemesis, or vomiting blood, a symptom that may signal a serious health issue. Learn about the common causes like ulcers and gastritis, how it's diagnosed, and the effective treatments available. Understand when this condition is an emergency and requires immediate medical attention.

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