Common Stomach Issues and How to Handle Them

While no medical issue is pleasant, there’s something extra attention-demanding about stomach problems. Maybe it’s the fact that sharp cramps and bloating are extremely uncomfortable and usually have less-than-flattering resolutions, or that nausea is distracting to say the least, or maybe it’s just because of how important the stomach is, so when an issue arises with it, your body is more apt to alert you to it. 

 

No matter the reason, many things can cause stomach issues, from the stress of understanding the key principles of insurance contracts to eating the wrong food. No matter what’s making you feel bad, you may find some of the information about stomach issues helpful.

Bloating

If your stomach feels tight or swollen, then you may be bloated. This happens when you eat too much or too quickly or if you have eaten something that causes you to be gassy and that gas gets trapped in the stomach. 

 

While bloating is usually just uncomfortable, it can sometimes be painful. Luckily, there are many quick and simple solutions waiting for you. A warm compress or cup of ginger or peppermint tea are good examples of this. Warmth will relax your muscles and allow the trapped air or gas to quickly pass while the peppermint and ginger in the tea help relax the muscles even further. 

 

If you need an even faster solution then try taking a medicine like Tums or Gas-X or exercising a little bit. Just moving around can encourage your stomach to finish digesting your food quickly and can relieve bloating as a result. It doesn’t have to be extensive either; simple stretches or a short walk may be all it takes to start feeling relief.

Abdominal Pain

The term “abdominal pain” makes it sound more serious than it actually is most of the time. While it of course can be serious and extreme pain should be a sign that you need to go to the hospital, most of the time the stomach aches or cramps are minor and can be treated at home.

 

Minor pain should be monitored but will likely go away on its own in time. When you need relief from stomach cramps or pain, start by drinking more water. While your pain may not be caused by dehydration, giving your body enough water will help it deal with whatever is causing the problem. You should then warm your stomach, whether that be with a warm compress or a bath. 

 

Be aware that some cramps resolve themselves with a trip to the toilet, so soaking in the tub isn’t always the best course of action. If you know the cause of the pain and how it will resolve itself, then you can take painkillers. If the cause is unknown then avoid this medicine so you can be aware of the pain and make sure it doesn’t get worse.

Heartburn

It may not seem like heartburn is related to the stomach at first, but it is caused by stomach acid leaking up into the esophagus. This sounds worse than it usually is. You’ll experience a bitter taste in your mouth or even a slight burning in the chest, but this is temporary and can usually be easily managed. 

 

There are many over-the-counter remedies for heartburn such as antacids. These neutralize the stomach acid and remove the symptoms caused by its misplacement quickly. Many other medications exist as well, though many people start and end their treatment here.

 

If you’d prefer different remedies, then try eating fruits like bananas or watermelon. The alkaline in the bananas can also neutralize the loose stomach acid while the water from watermelons clearly can help flush it back down and also help you stay hydrated. You can also change your lifestyle a bit by eating fewer greasy, spicy, fatty and fried foods; naturally acidic foods like tomato sauce and citrus fruits; wearing looser clothing and more. 

 

Heartburn is incredibly common and is no cause for alarm on its own. However, if you can’t seem to make it stop even with diet and lifestyle changes, then talk to your doctor; you might have another condition that needs to be treated.

Constipation

Constipation can be incredibly uncomfortable and frustrating, especially if it’s something you experience often due to your illness, disorder or even diet. Luckily there are many remedies, with the best one being to increase how much fiber you eat. As you probably expected, this fiber comes from fresh fruit and vegetables, so stock up on foods like apples, potatoes and leafy greens. If you need more immediate relief than what those foods can provide, then you may want to consider prunes or apple juice. 

 

On top of the diet change, you should also consider drinking more water for the same reasons mentioned with abdominal pain and warm beverages. Warm drinks will relax not just your stomach muscles and can help your bowels do what they need to do. Exercise is another good idea since moving around can help your bowels move as well.

 

You do need to be careful if you decide to turn to over-the-counter constipation assistance though. If you buy a laxative medication, only take it as directed and make sure you stay close to a bathroom until the medicine wears off. Do research before you touch more herbal options though because while some are actually helpful, some cause more harm than they solve.

Nausea

When your stomach is uneasy or you get that signature feeling in the back of your throat that you rarely want to feel, then you may have nausea. The worst part about nausea is that it can occur on its own, no vomit needed. Of course, it can lead to vomiting, but the fact that it can just appear, make you feel bad and then leave without you knowing why it happened is beyond frustrating and potentially even concerning.

 

Nausea has many causes, from migraines to food poisoning to being pregnant, and each has its own versions of nausea and long-term cures. For quick relief, sit up, drink clear or cold drinks like water slowly, take some deep breaths and maybe eat some plain foods like bread. If your nausea is accompanied by dizziness, avoid sharp things and stairs as much as possible. The best thing you can do, though, is to stay calm and wait it out. It will fade; it just takes time.