Contraction feeling in stomach
Causes, Treatment, Home Remedies, and More
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Overview
Stomach spasms are contractions of your abdominal muscles (abs), stomach, or intestines. Depending on which part of your body is spasming and how badly, it might feel like either a slight muscle twitch or stomach cramps.
In most cases, stomach spasms themselves are harmless, but they could be a symptom of an underlying condition. Read on to learn more about potential causes of stomach spasms and when to call your doctor.
Identifying the cause of your stomach spasms can help you treat this symptom. Here are 11 conditions that may be responsible for your symptom.
1. Muscle strain
Overworking your abdominal muscles could cause them to spasm. Spasms due to muscle strain are most likely to occur in people who do strenuous and frequent exercise, especially crunches and situps.
Other symptoms of muscle strain are:
- tenderness or pain in your abs
- pain that gets worse with movement
2. Dehydration
Losing electrolytes from dehydration caused by sweating, vomiting, and diarrhea can result in muscle spasms throughout your body, including your stomach. This happens because muscles need electrolytes such as calcium, potassium, and magnesium to work properly. When they don’t have these electrolytes, your muscles may start working abnormally and seizing up. Learn more about identifying and treating an electrolyte imbalance.
Other symptoms of dehydration include:
- extreme thirst
- headaches
- dizziness
- dark yellow urine
3. Gas
A buildup of gas in your stomach can cause your intestinal muscles to spasm as your body tries to release the gas. If you have gas, you might also have:
- distended stomach or bloating
- sharp stomach pain
- a feeling of fullness
- an urge to pass gas or burp
4.
Inflammatory bowel diseaseThese diseases, such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis (UC), are chronic inflammatory conditions. Crohn’s disease can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract, while UC only affects the colon. In both conditions, inflammation can cause bowel spasms.
Other symptoms of inflammatory bowel diseases are:
- diarrhea
- weight loss
- abdominal cramps and pain
- fatigue
- night sweats
- constipation
- feeling like you urgently need to go to the bathroom
5. Irritable bowel syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic condition that affects the large intestine. It doesn’t cause bowel tissue changes like inflammatory bowel disease, but symptoms are similar, including:
- stomach pain or cramping
- bloated feeling
- constipation
- diarrhea (sometimes constipation and diarrhea will alternate)
- gas
6. Gastritis and gastroenteritis
Gastritis and gastroenteritis are both stomach inflammation, but in gastroenteritis, the intestines are also inflamed. Infections, such as from Helicobacter pylori, Norwalk virus, and rotavirus, usually cause these conditions.
Other symptoms of gastritis and gastroenteritis include:
- nausea and vomiting
- diarrhea (gastroenteritis only)
- stomach pain
- bloating
7. Infectious colitis
Colitis can cause abdominal cramping due to irritation and inflammation of the colon, which causes it to spasm. Some bacteria that can cause colitis include Clostridium, Salmonella, and E. coli. Parasites such as Giardia can cause colitis too.
8. Ischemic enteritis and colitis
Sometimes colitis is caused by lack of blood supply to the small bowel and colon. Spasms can occur in this type of colitis as well.
9. Constipation
Your bowels may cramp when you experience constipation as they distend in response to increased pressure inside them.
10. Ileus
An ileus is when your bowels become “lazy” or “sleepy. ” This can occur for a number of reasons including infection, inflammation, recent surgery (especially in the abdomen), narcotic use, severe illness, and lack of physical activity. An ileus causes your bowels to fill with air and fluid, resulting in distention and pain.
11. Gastroparesis
Gastroparesis is basically an ileus involving the stomach. It most commonly occurs in those with diabetes and can cause stomach cramping especially after eating.
Stomach spasms are a common occurrence in pregnancy. Most causes of stomach spasms during pregnancy are harmless, but you should see a doctor if you have pain, or constant or recurring spasms.
Some possible reasons for spasms in pregnancy are:
Gas
Gas is a very common symptom of pregnancy. This is because the progesterone your body produces to support the pregnancy also relaxes your muscles, including the muscles of your intestine. That slows down your digestion and allows gas to build up.
Other symptoms include:
- bloating
- sharp stomach pain
- a feeling of fullness
- an urge to pass gas or burp
Braxton-Hicks contractions
Braxton-Hicks contractions, also known as false labor, often happen in the last trimester of pregnancy. They usually feel more like a tightening of muscles than the pain of actual labor, and they aren’t regular. These contractions are harmless, but it’s a good idea to check with your doctor if you experience them, especially if they start to become regular.
Your baby moving
When your baby kicks or rolls over, it might feel like a muscle spasm in your stomach, especially during your second trimester. At this point, your baby probably isn’t big enough for you to feel strong kicks, so movement feels more like a spasm or twitch.
Muscles stretching
Your stomach muscles stretch during pregnancy to accommodate the baby. When muscles stretch, they might also twitch as they try to maintain their original size. Muscle stretching can also lead to dull, achy pain (round ligament pain), but is considered a normal part of pregnancy.
Most stomach spasms are harmless and go away without further treatment. If your stomach spasms are painful or happen often, they could be a sign of a more serious medical issue. See your doctor if you have any of these symptoms in addition to stomach spasms:
- vomiting
- blood in your bowel movements
- severe pain, especially chest pain
- long-lasting or recurring stomach spasms
- fever
- shortness of breath
You should also see your doctor if your stomach spasms are interfering with your daily life or causing you distress.
If your stomach spasms are bothering you, there are ways you can get immediate relief or treat them at home. Some at-home treatments will treat the underlying cause of muscle spasms, while others relax the stomach muscles so that they stop spasming.
If you’re having stomach spasms in pregnancy, talk to your doctor before trying any home remedies. Some home treatments may not be safe during pregnancy.
Heat
Heat can help to relax your stomach muscles. This is particularly helpful if muscle strain or overuse is causing your spasms.
Massage
Massaging your stomach muscles can help to relax them.
Chamomile tea
Chamomile can be used to calm an upset stomach and could help manage spasms. It’s also considered a home remedy for gas. Find a great selection of chamomile tea here.
Electrolytes
If your stomach spasms are caused by dehydration, replenishing your electrolytes may help. Try drinking a sports drink like Gatorade or eating a banana.
Use caution, however, if you have a history of kidney failure, because some electrolytes, particularly potassium, can rise to dangerous levels with supplements.
Also, if you develop dizziness or you pass out because of dehydration, you’ve lost a significant amount of body fluid. Seek immediate treatment in the nearest emergency room for intravenous fluid replacement to prevent your body from going into shock and to prevent damage to your heart, liver, brain, and kidneys.
Pain relievers
If your stomach spasms are painful, an over-the-counter (OTC) pain reliever such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) can help.
You must be cautious with OTC pain medications. Ibuprofen and similar drugs can cause gastric ulcers and kidney damage if taken in excessive amounts. Acetaminophen in large amounts can cause liver damage and even liver failure. If you feel that you need to take more of these medications than the recommended dosage on the bottle, you should consult with a doctor.
Antacids
Stomach acid can cause gastritis, which in turn can cause stomach spasms. In these cases, antacids or OTC proton pump inhibitors can help your spasms by reducing stomach acid.
Rest
If your spasms are caused by muscle strain, cutting back on exercise and resting your stomach muscles will help stop the spasming.
Stomach spasms caused by conditions such as gas, dehydration, and muscle strain can usually be treated at home. Other conditions or severe stomach spasms usually require treatment from a doctor.
Your doctor will try to determine the underlying cause of your stomach spasms and treat that cause. Treatment might include:
- antibiotics for gastritis or gastroenteritis caused by bacteria
- a class of medication called aminosalicylates for UC and some cases of Crohn’s disease
- corticosteroids for UC and Crohn’s disease
- antispasmodic medications if you have IBS or very severe spasms not controlled by other treatments
If your stomach spasms are caused by a condition such as inflammatory bowel disease or IBS, treating those conditions is the best method to prevent stomach spasms. For stomach spasms caused by muscle strain, gas, or dehydration, here are some ways you can help prevent them from happening:
- Exercise correctly. Working your muscles hard can be good for your health, but working them too hard or incorrectly can lead to injuries. Always make sure you use proper form and rest if you need to.
- Stay hydrated. A loss of electrolytes due to dehydration can cause stomach spasms. Making sure you stay hydrated, therefore, can help reduce spasms.
- Changing your diet may help prevent stomach spasms caused by gas, gastritis, IBS, and inflammatory bowel disorders.
- If gas is causing your stomach spasms, limiting fiber intake might help. Eating fiber can help people with constipation caused by IBS and gastritis.
- Limit your alcohol consumption.
- Limit spicy foods, which can irritate your stomach and make spasms worse.
- Fatty foods can also increase symptoms in these conditions and should be limited.
- If you have an inflammatory bowel disease, work with your doctor to find the safest foods for you to eat.
Stomach spasms can sometimes just be normal muscle movement, and are often caused by conditions treatable at home.
Sometimes they can be a sign of a problem that requires a doctor’s attention, however. If your stomach spasms are severe, persistent, or last longer than a few days, or if you have fever, blood in the stool or vomitus, or persistent nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, you need to seek medical attention.
Causes, Treatment, Home Remedies, and More
We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Here’s our process.
Overview
Stomach spasms are contractions of your abdominal muscles (abs), stomach, or intestines. Depending on which part of your body is spasming and how badly, it might feel like either a slight muscle twitch or stomach cramps.
In most cases, stomach spasms themselves are harmless, but they could be a symptom of an underlying condition. Read on to learn more about potential causes of stomach spasms and when to call your doctor.
Identifying the cause of your stomach spasms can help you treat this symptom. Here are 11 conditions that may be responsible for your symptom.
1. Muscle strain
Overworking your abdominal muscles could cause them to spasm. Spasms due to muscle strain are most likely to occur in people who do strenuous and frequent exercise, especially crunches and situps.
Other symptoms of muscle strain are:
- tenderness or pain in your abs
- pain that gets worse with movement
2. Dehydration
Losing electrolytes from dehydration caused by sweating, vomiting, and diarrhea can result in muscle spasms throughout your body, including your stomach. This happens because muscles need electrolytes such as calcium, potassium, and magnesium to work properly. When they don’t have these electrolytes, your muscles may start working abnormally and seizing up. Learn more about identifying and treating an electrolyte imbalance.
Other symptoms of dehydration include:
- extreme thirst
- headaches
- dizziness
- dark yellow urine
3. Gas
A buildup of gas in your stomach can cause your intestinal muscles to spasm as your body tries to release the gas. If you have gas, you might also have:
- distended stomach or bloating
- sharp stomach pain
- a feeling of fullness
- an urge to pass gas or burp
4.
Inflammatory bowel diseaseThese diseases, such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis (UC), are chronic inflammatory conditions. Crohn’s disease can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract, while UC only affects the colon. In both conditions, inflammation can cause bowel spasms.
Other symptoms of inflammatory bowel diseases are:
- diarrhea
- weight loss
- abdominal cramps and pain
- fatigue
- night sweats
- constipation
- feeling like you urgently need to go to the bathroom
5. Irritable bowel syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic condition that affects the large intestine. It doesn’t cause bowel tissue changes like inflammatory bowel disease, but symptoms are similar, including:
- stomach pain or cramping
- bloated feeling
- constipation
- diarrhea (sometimes constipation and diarrhea will alternate)
- gas
6. Gastritis and gastroenteritis
Gastritis and gastroenteritis are both stomach inflammation, but in gastroenteritis, the intestines are also inflamed. Infections, such as from Helicobacter pylori, Norwalk virus, and rotavirus, usually cause these conditions.
Other symptoms of gastritis and gastroenteritis include:
- nausea and vomiting
- diarrhea (gastroenteritis only)
- stomach pain
- bloating
7. Infectious colitis
Colitis can cause abdominal cramping due to irritation and inflammation of the colon, which causes it to spasm. Some bacteria that can cause colitis include Clostridium, Salmonella, and E. coli. Parasites such as Giardia can cause colitis too.
8. Ischemic enteritis and colitis
Sometimes colitis is caused by lack of blood supply to the small bowel and colon. Spasms can occur in this type of colitis as well.
9. Constipation
Your bowels may cramp when you experience constipation as they distend in response to increased pressure inside them.
10. Ileus
An ileus is when your bowels become “lazy” or “sleepy. ” This can occur for a number of reasons including infection, inflammation, recent surgery (especially in the abdomen), narcotic use, severe illness, and lack of physical activity. An ileus causes your bowels to fill with air and fluid, resulting in distention and pain.
11. Gastroparesis
Gastroparesis is basically an ileus involving the stomach. It most commonly occurs in those with diabetes and can cause stomach cramping especially after eating.
Stomach spasms are a common occurrence in pregnancy. Most causes of stomach spasms during pregnancy are harmless, but you should see a doctor if you have pain, or constant or recurring spasms.
Some possible reasons for spasms in pregnancy are:
Gas
Gas is a very common symptom of pregnancy. This is because the progesterone your body produces to support the pregnancy also relaxes your muscles, including the muscles of your intestine. That slows down your digestion and allows gas to build up.
Other symptoms include:
- bloating
- sharp stomach pain
- a feeling of fullness
- an urge to pass gas or burp
Braxton-Hicks contractions
Braxton-Hicks contractions, also known as false labor, often happen in the last trimester of pregnancy. They usually feel more like a tightening of muscles than the pain of actual labor, and they aren’t regular. These contractions are harmless, but it’s a good idea to check with your doctor if you experience them, especially if they start to become regular.
Your baby moving
When your baby kicks or rolls over, it might feel like a muscle spasm in your stomach, especially during your second trimester. At this point, your baby probably isn’t big enough for you to feel strong kicks, so movement feels more like a spasm or twitch.
Muscles stretching
Your stomach muscles stretch during pregnancy to accommodate the baby. When muscles stretch, they might also twitch as they try to maintain their original size. Muscle stretching can also lead to dull, achy pain (round ligament pain), but is considered a normal part of pregnancy.
Most stomach spasms are harmless and go away without further treatment. If your stomach spasms are painful or happen often, they could be a sign of a more serious medical issue. See your doctor if you have any of these symptoms in addition to stomach spasms:
- vomiting
- blood in your bowel movements
- severe pain, especially chest pain
- long-lasting or recurring stomach spasms
- fever
- shortness of breath
You should also see your doctor if your stomach spasms are interfering with your daily life or causing you distress.
If your stomach spasms are bothering you, there are ways you can get immediate relief or treat them at home. Some at-home treatments will treat the underlying cause of muscle spasms, while others relax the stomach muscles so that they stop spasming.
If you’re having stomach spasms in pregnancy, talk to your doctor before trying any home remedies. Some home treatments may not be safe during pregnancy.
Heat
Heat can help to relax your stomach muscles. This is particularly helpful if muscle strain or overuse is causing your spasms.
Massage
Massaging your stomach muscles can help to relax them.
Chamomile tea
Chamomile can be used to calm an upset stomach and could help manage spasms. It’s also considered a home remedy for gas. Find a great selection of chamomile tea here.
Electrolytes
If your stomach spasms are caused by dehydration, replenishing your electrolytes may help. Try drinking a sports drink like Gatorade or eating a banana.
Use caution, however, if you have a history of kidney failure, because some electrolytes, particularly potassium, can rise to dangerous levels with supplements.
Also, if you develop dizziness or you pass out because of dehydration, you’ve lost a significant amount of body fluid. Seek immediate treatment in the nearest emergency room for intravenous fluid replacement to prevent your body from going into shock and to prevent damage to your heart, liver, brain, and kidneys.
Pain relievers
If your stomach spasms are painful, an over-the-counter (OTC) pain reliever such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) can help.
You must be cautious with OTC pain medications. Ibuprofen and similar drugs can cause gastric ulcers and kidney damage if taken in excessive amounts. Acetaminophen in large amounts can cause liver damage and even liver failure. If you feel that you need to take more of these medications than the recommended dosage on the bottle, you should consult with a doctor.
Antacids
Stomach acid can cause gastritis, which in turn can cause stomach spasms. In these cases, antacids or OTC proton pump inhibitors can help your spasms by reducing stomach acid.
Rest
If your spasms are caused by muscle strain, cutting back on exercise and resting your stomach muscles will help stop the spasming.
Stomach spasms caused by conditions such as gas, dehydration, and muscle strain can usually be treated at home. Other conditions or severe stomach spasms usually require treatment from a doctor.
Your doctor will try to determine the underlying cause of your stomach spasms and treat that cause. Treatment might include:
- antibiotics for gastritis or gastroenteritis caused by bacteria
- a class of medication called aminosalicylates for UC and some cases of Crohn’s disease
- corticosteroids for UC and Crohn’s disease
- antispasmodic medications if you have IBS or very severe spasms not controlled by other treatments
If your stomach spasms are caused by a condition such as inflammatory bowel disease or IBS, treating those conditions is the best method to prevent stomach spasms. For stomach spasms caused by muscle strain, gas, or dehydration, here are some ways you can help prevent them from happening:
- Exercise correctly. Working your muscles hard can be good for your health, but working them too hard or incorrectly can lead to injuries. Always make sure you use proper form and rest if you need to.
- Stay hydrated. A loss of electrolytes due to dehydration can cause stomach spasms. Making sure you stay hydrated, therefore, can help reduce spasms.
- Changing your diet may help prevent stomach spasms caused by gas, gastritis, IBS, and inflammatory bowel disorders.
- If gas is causing your stomach spasms, limiting fiber intake might help. Eating fiber can help people with constipation caused by IBS and gastritis.
- Limit your alcohol consumption.
- Limit spicy foods, which can irritate your stomach and make spasms worse.
- Fatty foods can also increase symptoms in these conditions and should be limited.
- If you have an inflammatory bowel disease, work with your doctor to find the safest foods for you to eat.
Stomach spasms can sometimes just be normal muscle movement, and are often caused by conditions treatable at home.
Sometimes they can be a sign of a problem that requires a doctor’s attention, however. If your stomach spasms are severe, persistent, or last longer than a few days, or if you have fever, blood in the stool or vomitus, or persistent nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, you need to seek medical attention.
what is it, reasons, what to do
How heaviness in the stomach manifests itself
In the stomach, food is digested mainly with the help of the digestive enzymes of the gastric juice. This process takes from one to several hours. Processed food, thanks to active contractions of the stomach, moves further - to the intestines 1 .
However, if for some reason, especially due to errors in the diet, such as overeating, the coordination of contractions of the smooth muscles of the stomach is disturbed and food does not move, the person may experience a feeling of heaviness in the upper abdomen or a feeling of rapid satiety 4.1 .
Descriptions of the resulting "heaviness in the abdomen" are varied, as well as the degree of severity. Patients may complain of a feeling of fullness, a painful sensation of prolonged food in the stomach, which may depend on food intake. Another symptom is early satiety, when a feeling of heaviness in the stomach occurs immediately after the start of a meal, which prevents the completion of the usual portion of food 1-3 .
Heaviness in the stomach may be accompanied by other symptoms, such as a feeling of heat in the upper abdomen (epigastrium), belching, nausea, and bloating. Often they are accompanied by pain in the upper abdomen (from mild to severe), which are intermittent, may be associated with food intake or appear on an empty stomach 2-4 .
Descriptions of the resulting "heaviness in the abdomen" are varied, as well as the degree of severity. Patients may complain of a feeling of fullness, a painful sensation of prolonged food in the stomach, which may depend on food intake. Another symptom is early satiety, when a feeling of heaviness in the stomach occurs immediately after the start of a meal, which prevents the completion of the usual portion of food 1-3 .
Heaviness in the stomach may be accompanied by other symptoms, such as a feeling of heat in the upper abdomen (epigastrium), belching, nausea, and bloating. Often they are accompanied by pain in the upper abdomen (from mild to severe), which are intermittent, may be associated with food intake or appear on an empty stomach 2-4 .
Possible causes of heaviness in the abdomen
Experts divide the origin of the complex of symptoms, including a feeling of heaviness and fullness in the stomach, into two categories. The first one is of a functional nature, that is, symptoms that are not associated with certain diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT).
The second is organic causes, in which heaviness in the stomach may indicate the presence of any disease or pathological condition, such as peptic ulcer or chronic pancreatitis 3 . Let's consider these reasons in more detail.
Causes of violations of a functional nature
Stress
It has been established that in almost all patients with functional digestive disorders, exposure to even one of the stress factors (such as family troubles, financial, housing or professional problems) preceded the development of the disease or its aggravation 3, 4 . In such patients, a higher level of anxiety and depression was noted compared to healthy people, and a relationship was demonstrated between the presence of complaints from the gastrointestinal tract and any mental disorders 5 .
Food on the run
When a person eats quickly, snacking between important things, constantly looking at the clock, insufficiently processed food can enter the stomach - poorly chewed. The stomach has to spend more time processing it, so there may be a feeling of heaviness. This can also be observed in older people, only a violation of their chewing function can already be noted not due to lack of time, but due to age-related changes in the chewing apparatus 2, 6 .
Taking certain medications
The cause of heaviness in the stomach can be the intake of certain drugs: anticholinergics, antispasmodics, tricyclic antidepressants, calcium antagonists and others 4 . Much more often than drugs of other pharmacological groups, complaints from the stomach can cause non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) 8 .
Food allergies and intolerances
Among the pathological reactions to food that can lead to discomfort in the abdomen, including heaviness, food intolerance and food allergy are distinguished. Food intolerance is a pathological change in the gastrointestinal tract due to hereditary and / or acquired enzymopathies, that is, a deficiency of certain enzymes (lactase deficiency, gluten enteropathy) 10, 15 .
Food allergies are based on allergic inflammation of the gastrointestinal mucosa, which occurs due to the characteristics of the body's immune system, as well as other concomitant factors, for example, increased permeability of the intestinal walls, which is noted with a lack of digestive enzymes of the pancreas, impaired bile secretion, inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract 10, 15 .
Bad habits
Alcohol abuse can adversely affect the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract 7 . Smoking, according to a number of data, can contribute to an increase in the risk of functional indigestion* by 2 times, and quitting it, on the contrary, favors the normalization of the motor function of the stomach 3 .
Malnutrition
First of all, this is overeating, in which the volume of food can exceed the digestive capacity of the stomach and pancreas. If food is retained in the upper gastrointestinal tract longer than necessary, and the secretion of digestive enzymes is insufficient to digest the amount of food received, this can lead to a feeling of heaviness in the stomach 1, 14 .
In addition, many patients with functional indigestion* may refuse to eat certain foods due to the possible appearance of more pronounced complaints, including a feeling of heaviness. Foods that are worst tolerated by patients include hot peppers, caffeinated and carbonated drinks, mayonnaise, nuts, citrus fruits, chocolate 5 .
Age transformations
With age, the secretory and motor functions of the stomach may decrease, and thinning of its muscular wall can be observed. Changes in the vascular bed can lead to impaired blood circulation in the stomach, which may be one of the reasons for the decrease in the number of parietal cells that produce hydrochloric acid, an important component of gastric juice for digestion. The gastric mucosa in the elderly can be easily vulnerable, which increases the risk of developing an ulcer, also associated with the symptoms described above. Structural changes in combination with secretory insufficiency can lead to a feeling of heaviness in the stomach 6, 9 .
Food poisoning
There is a variant of functional indigestion* that may be associated with past food poisoning. According to the results of examinations of patients who had acute infectious gastroenteritis, 20% of patients developed complaints from the gastrointestinal tract, including heaviness in the stomach, which is associated with slow gastric emptying due to food poisoning the day before 3 .
Causes of violations of organic nature
Pathologies of the gallbladder
In diseases of the gallbladder with impaired bile excretion, there may be a feeling of discomfort from the digestive system. This may occur due to a violation of the processes of digestion and absorption of nutrients, which is observed due to insufficient intake of bile acids into the lumen of the small intestine. Difficulty in digestion may be accompanied by a decrease in appetite, a feeling of bitterness in the mouth, flatulence, and stool disorders. One of the characteristic complaints is also short-term pain in the right hypochondrium, which manifests itself in the form of spasms 2, 13 .
Metabolic disorders
Diseases that may cause a feeling of heaviness in the abdomen include diabetes mellitus, systemic scleroderma, some endocrine diseases (thyrotoxicosis, hypothyroidism) 4 .
Other diseases that can
cause heaviness in the abdomen
These diseases can affect one or another link in the digestive process. For example, chronic gastritis, chronic pancreatitis, hepatitis, peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum, GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), neoplasms, congestive gastropathy in chronic heart failure or portal hypertension syndrome, etc. 11
How can causes and symptoms be corrected heaviness in the stomach?
Measures that can help to cope with heaviness in the stomach caused by functional disorders include primarily those aimed at the process of digestion 2 . Here's what you can do:
one
Eat moderately
The body must be given the opportunity to cope with the disturbance. Therefore, it is better to eat small portions of food 2-5 .
one
Eat moderately
The body must be given the opportunity to cope with the disturbance. Therefore, it is better to eat small meals 2-5 .
2
Diet
Diet plays an important role in the presence of heaviness in the stomach: it is best to follow a light diet. First of all, you should give up fatty and spicy, as well as coffee 2-5 .
Preparations containing digestive enzymes 17 can help improve digestion processes in case of nutritional errors. One of these drugs is Festal® 2, 12 . It contains several components at once that contribute to the processes of digestion of food and thus can help with symptoms of impaired digestion, including a feeling of heaviness in the stomach 2, 12 .
More about preparation
Preparations containing digestive enzymes 17 can help improve digestion processes in case of nutritional errors. One of these drugs is Festal® 2, 12 . It contains several components at once that contribute to the processes of digestion of food and thus can help with symptoms of impaired digestion, including a feeling of heaviness in the stomach 2, 12 .
Pancreatic enzymes (amylase, protease, lipase) facilitate the digestion of carbohydrates, fats and proteins 12 . The bile components in Festal® facilitate the absorption of fats and fat-soluble vitamins, and also promote the release of the pancreas' own enzymes** , 12 . And finally, the third component, the enzyme hemicellulase, helps to break down plant fiber, thereby helping to reduce gas formation, which can accompany heaviness in the abdomen 2, 12 .
It is important to remember that only a doctor can understand the causes of discomfort and prescribe the right treatment. If the symptoms of impaired digestion, including heaviness in the abdomen, do not decrease, become permanent, or other symptoms join them, you should contact a specialist.
It is important to remember that only a doctor can understand the causes of discomfort and prescribe the right treatment. If the symptoms of impaired digestion, including heaviness in the abdomen, do not decrease, become permanent, or other symptoms join them, you should contact a specialist.
THERE ARE CONTRAINDICATIONS. BEFORE USE IT IS NECESSARY TO CONSULT WITH A SPECIALIST.
Stomach neurosis: symptoms and treatment
The information in this section should not be used for self-diagnosis or self-treatment. In case of pain or other exacerbation of the disease, only the attending physician should prescribe diagnostic tests. For diagnosis and proper treatment, you should contact your doctor.
The expression "all diseases are from the nerves" is not so far from the truth. The human body and psyche are closely connected - if you stay in a state of stress, tension, excitement or fear for a long time, physiological problems will appear.
One of these is gastric neurosis or gastroneuroses.
What is stomach neurosis?
In general, neurosis is a general name for dozens of disorders arising from stress or psychological trauma. It seems that this applies only to the higher nervous system, but in fact, neurosis can occur in any organ, because all systems of our body are rich in nerve endings. So, when the work of the stomach is disrupted due to psychological problems, they speak of gastroneuroses.
This is a common disease. It mainly affects middle-aged people, mostly women - more vulnerable emotionally and less resistant to stress than men.
Why does it occur?
There are many causes of gastric neurosis, and not all of them are as harmless as they seem.
- Wrong way of life : abnormal regime, severe constant stress, lack of sleep, overstrain - all this negatively affects the nervous system.
- An unbalanced diet , eating unhealthy foods and snacking "on the run" harms the entire gastrointestinal tract (GIT).
- Pathological formations : oncology, ulcer, gastritis and so on.
- Effects on the digestive tract : poisoning, intoxication, bad habits, etc.
- Viral diseases that weaken the organ.
- Internal conflicts , dissatisfaction with oneself and life, conflicts with other people.
In general, most causes can be ruled out with a healthy lifestyle.
What are his symptoms?
Symptoms of gastric neurosis can easily be confused with gastritis:
- Feeling of hunger, even if there was a meal just recently;
- Colic and bloating;
- Discomfort and pain in the stomach;
- Attacks of heartburn and burning behind the breastbone;
- Uncontrollable belching with foul odor and loud sound;
- Persistent feeling of heaviness in the abdomen;
- Aversion to the sight and smell of food;
- Chewing reflex in the absence of food.
Therefore, you need to know what psychosomatic symptoms to pay attention to:
- Headaches, dizziness, high blood pressure;
- Insomnia and overexcitation;
- Palpitations;
- Phobias and panic attacks;
- Hypochondria.
But you need to be more careful: many of the above symptoms, both physiological and psychosomatic, are also associated with other diseases. Therefore, it is very important to first accurately diagnose and only then proceed to treatment.
In what forms does it manifest itself?
To quickly diagnose gastric neurosis, it is worth knowing in what form it can manifest itself. Each form is dangerous in its own way - it is extremely important to diagnose and start treatment as soon as possible.
- Nervous vomiting that comes on without urge and no feeling of nausea.
- Belching similar to hysteria, which occurs due to reflex swallowing of excess air. At the same time, a person makes sounds that resemble screams.
- Bulimia and anorexia . The patient either eats too much food, or hardly eats - both forms of gastric neurosis are the most dangerous and can lead to death.
- Heartburn that does not go away even if you are on a special diet.
What should I do if I have stomach neurosis?
If you have any of the physiological and psychosomatic problems, first of all you need to contact a neurologist and gastroenterologist, and then undergo a thorough examination. At the stage of diagnosis, the neurologist most often involves a psychiatrist to analyze the patient's life and determine the causes of psychological problems. If only the symptoms are treated, gastric neurosis will not go away on its own. And this method helps to more effectively restore the psychological health of the patient.
It is very important not to self-medicate with either medicines or folk remedies - this can lead to irreversible pathologies and drastically worsen your well-being.
References
- Psychosomatic diseases: a complete reference book / Eliseev Yu.Yu. – 2003.
- Stoimenov Y.A., Stoimenova M.I., Koeva P.Y. etc. Psychiatric encyclopedic dictionary. - K .: "MAUP", 2003. - S. 572
- Selected issues of gastroenterology: textbook / Mosina L.M., Usanova A.A. and others - 2009.
- Avedisova A.S. Features of psychopharmacotherapy of patients with borderline mental disorders / Psychiatry and psychopharmacotherapy. - 2003.