Chapter 27 - Can Playing on Your Phone Lead to Stomach Problems?
Chapter 27: Can Playing on Your Phone Lead to Stomach Problems?
The third online friend was feeling a bit confused.
What’s going on here? Is my stomach suited for soft food?
[Laughing out loud, went to see a doctor and got told I should eat soft food.].
[Ha-ha-ha! This person’s face is turning green.].
[What’s next? Can he even identify Gigolos now? This medical skill is getting more and more outrageous!].
The viewers in the live stream room were also laughing heartily.
“Doctor, are you cracking jokes?” The third online friend tried to hold back his laughter, thinking that Lu Ming was jesting with him.
“What do you mean by cracking jokes? I’m not kidding. You really should eat soft food,”
Lu Ming responded earnestly.
The third online friend widened his eyes, surprised and somewhat at a loss for words.
“Why should I eat soft food?” The third online friend asked.
“Your digestive system isn’t in good shape. You need to consume gentle, easy-to-digest food to aid in your recovery,” Lu Ming explained.
“Huh? Is that what ‘eating soft food’ means? Why didn’t you tell me my stomach wasn’t doing well?”
The third online friend realized that his stomach might be experiencing some issues. Even when he was full, his stomach would produce gurgling sounds, and it seemed to be the location of the stomach.
“You must change your habits, or your stomach problems could worsen,” Lu Ming advised.
“I already have a stomach issue?” The third online friend was perplexed. “But I don’t have any unhealthy habits.”
“You currently have a mild stomach ulcer, but it’s within a manageable range,” Lu Ming explained. “As long as you alter your poor habits, it can heal naturally.”
The third online friend contemplated seriously but couldn’t identify what those bad habits might be. They hadn’t skipped a single meal, so where were these bad habits coming from?
“Doctor, what do you mean by bad habits?” The third online friend inquired.
Lu Ming took out his phone and waved it in front of the third online friend.
“What’s this?” Asked the third online friend.
“Doctor, you’re not suggesting I developed a stomach problem from using my phone, are you…? You must be joking,” the third online friend shook their head and chuckled at Lu Ming’s playful gesture.
The people present and the viewers in the live stream room were equally puzzled.
“Can using your phone lead to a stomach problem? That doesn’t sound plausible.”
“Could it be that using your phone while eating distracts you and affects your digestion?”
“I’m skeptical. How can a stomach problem be linked to a phone?”
“Yeah, these two things appear entirely unrelated.”
“Let’s not be too hasty in dismissing it. Remember that yesterday, this doctor claimed that music can cure illnesses! It’s conceivable to develop a stomach problem using your phone.”
“You’re right. There may be some concealed factors here.”
Opinions in the live stream room were divided into two camps. Lu Ming unlocked his phone screen and accessed a particular short video app. Then he asked, “Do you often watch short videos late at night?”
The third online friend nodded and said, “Yes, I do. What’s the issue?”
“I also use the phone with the lights on, so my eyes are well-protected.”
This third online friend had watched the previous day’s livestream and knew that using a phone with the lights on was better for the eyes.
“When you watch short videos, do you get hungry?” Asked Lu Ming.
The third online friend hesitated for a moment and then replied, “Well…”
“It appears so.”
Seeing that the third online friend didn’t deny it, Lu Ming continued operating his phone. In the search bar of the short video app, he typed “mukbang.” Instantly, the screen displayed numerous videos of live streamers indulging in delicious food.
“Are these the types of short videos you enjoy watching?” Lu Ming gazed at the third online friend with a playful grin and asked.
The first thought that crossed the third online friend’s mind was that his phone was being monitored! However, upon further reflection, it seemed unlikely.
So, the third online friend inquired in a puzzled manner, “Doctor, how did you know that I watch mukbang videos late at night?”
Lu Ming didn’t immediately clarify but asked, “Do you know what a stomach ulcer is?”
The third online friend shook his head, indicating he had heard of it but didn’t know the precise definition.
Lu Ming promptly explained, “A stomach ulcer is a type of peptic ulcer that develops in the lining of the stomach.”
“There are various factors that can trigger gastric ulcers, such as genetic factors, lifestyle choices, psychological factors, chemical factors, and more. One of the more common causes is damage to the gastric mucosa, leading to ulcers in the damaged area, ultimately resulting in gastric ulcers. Gastric ulcers can manifest as symptoms like stomach pain, decreased appetite, bloating, and weight loss. The third online friend acknowledged that they understood but still wanted to know how this relates to watching late-night mukbang (eating broadcasts).
“Alright, let me explain the connection to you again,” Lu Ming said.
“When you watch mukbang, your eyes are exposed to visual stimulation, your ears receive auditory stimulation from food being chewed, and you may even subconsciously salivate. As a result, the brain receives an erroneous signal, thinking you are eating. So, the brain, as the command center for the body, sends a signal to your stomach to release gastric acid to digest the food you appear to be eating. However, the brain didn’t anticipate that the host (the person watching) would deceive it by providing incorrect information. So now, your stomach releases a large amount of gastric acid, but there’s no food to digest. In the end, excessive gastric acid can damage the gastric mucosa. That’s how gastric ulcers can develop in your stomach.”
Lu Ming provided a comprehensive explanation.
After listening to Lu Ming’s explanation, the third online friend was astonished, gaping in disbelief.
Can this really happen?
“Wow, I’ve never heard of such a thing before! This is truly eye-opening!”
“So, watching mukbang could give me a stomach problem?” The third online friend asked.
“Oh my goodness! I’d better not use my phone recklessly. It not only harms my eyes but also my stomach!”
“You forgot one thing – it can also harm your hands! Holding a phone for a long time with incorrect posture might lead to finger deformities!”
“Indeed! Everything has its pros and cons! While phones are convenient for the masses, they also have many risks!”
“The phone is saying it’s not to blame! Ultimately, as long as you use your phone reasonably, there won’t be any problems.”
Lu Ming’s words sparked a lively discussion in the live broadcast room. Even the more than seventy online friends gathered were engaged in a spirited conversation.
“I never expected to learn so much obscure knowledge!” Li Xuejing also expressed her amazement.
Wang Jieqiong suddenly had a whimsical idea – she wanted to study traditional Chinese medicine…
Is that feasible?