By Dr. Alexandra Sisam ND | Updated by Birgitta Kautz
Stomach Pain
Abdominal pain is discomfort or pain in the belly region, anywhere between the chest and the hips. It is also known as stomachache, stomach pain, tummy or gut ache.
Stomach pain often occurs after eating and can also manifest itself as gastrointestinal cramps or heartburn. However, it can also occur independently of food and be caused by stress, inflammation, and viral or bacterial infection.
Sometimes the stomach ache is accompanied by symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. The type of pain that is felt and its location can be various. It can be a cramping or burning sensation right up to a sharp pain in the stomach, the lower or upper abdomen or just on one side of the abdomen.
It is not always easy to distinguish whether the pain comes from the stomach area or from the intestines. Severe pain in the right side of the stomach can be a sign that certain organs are involved. This includes the liver, the gallbladder, or the appendix. Gallstones or kidney stones can cause stomach pain that comes and goes in waves.
The digestive tract includes the oral cavity, esophagus, stomach, duodenum, small and large intestine, and ends with the anus.
Chewed food is ground up and thoroughly mixed with gastric juice in the stomach. Gastric juice, which is often referred to as stomach acid, consists of water, enzymes and hydrochloric acid among other things.
Gastric juice primarily breaks down protein which we consume as meat, cheese and legumes. Furthermore, acidic gastric juices act as a disinfectant.
How long is food retained in the stomach?
The stomach moves in waves around 3 times a minute to thoroughly knead the food. How long the stomach needs to prepare the food for further digestion in the intestine depends on how well it was chewed as well as on the kind of food.
Rule of thumb: The fattier the food, the longer it is retained in the stomach!
Some examples of how long food stays in our stomach:
- Fluids - several minutes
- Lean boiled fish, rice - 1.5 hours
- Vegetables, milk, pudding, bread - 2 to 2.5 hours
- Boiled meat - 3 hours
- Fried meat - 4 to 6 hours
- Fatty meat, and sardines in oil - 8 hours and longer
We have all experienced stomach ache at some point and it often goes away quickly.
However, abdominal or stomach pain, nausea and other digestive disorders are not diseases in themselves, but only the symptoms of diseases. These can have very different causes, including the following:
Gastritis
Gastritis is an inflammation of the stomach lining, also known as the mucosa. A typical symptom of acute gastritis is burning stomach pain in the upper abdomen. This stomach burning is independent of eating and often accompanied by loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting.
Acute gastritis can be caused by viral infections or Helicobacter pylori infections. It can also be caused by spoiled food, poor nutrition, or certain medications. Other triggers are too much alcohol, nicotine, or stress.
Untreated gastritis can turn into chronic gastritis or lead to stomach ulcers. A stomach ulcer usually causes particularly severe upper stomach pain and must be treated by a doctor.
Gastrointestinal infections (also known as gastrointestinal flu)
Germs cause stomach pain that is usually associated with gastrointestinal cramps, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Sometimes flu-like symptoms such as fever and body aches also occur. In most cases, help from a doctor is required.
GERD
Gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD for short is also known as chronic acid reflux. It occurs when stomach acid and stomach contents repeatedly flow back into the esophagus, the tube connecting our mouth and stomach. This typically causes heartburn, a burning pain in the chest and throat, after you eat. GERD can also cause a burning sensation in the stomach.
Nervous stomach
If the nervous system is hypersensitive, emotions such as anxiety or stress can affect the stomach. Symptoms of a nervous stomach include queasiness, cramps, and nausea. Oftentimes, home remedies and lifestyle changes can help with a sensitive stomach.
Irritable stomach
Heartburn and nausea can also be symptoms that are called irritable stomach. The doctor speaks of functional dyspepsia.
The main triggers are mental stress and unhealthy eating habits. Coupled with genetic factors, they upset the stomachs of sensitive people. The so-called irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) has similar causes. However, it is characterized by frequent diarrhea and often causes left side stomach pain.
Diet
Large meals, an unhealthy diet, or bad eating habits with hectic activity can cause stomach pain after eating. But also food and drinks that are too hot / cold, too fatty, or too sweet can cause problems.
Eating foods with gluten can cause stomach pain and bloating in people with gluten sensitivity or celiac disease.
Gas and bloating
Too much gas in the gastrointestinal tract is a frequent cause of pain in the left side of the stomach. The associated pain is more spasmodic. It is caused by excessive tension of the digestive muscles and bloating. The bloating can often be seen.
Gas in the gastrointestinal tract is perfectly natural. In fact, carbon dioxide gas is formed in the stomach. Bacteria in the bowel produce gases such as methane, hydrogen and nitrogen during digestion. We also swallow air while eating, drinking or even speaking.
An excessive build-up of gas in the gastrointestinal region may be caused by:
- Stress
- Lack of exercise
- Eating certain foods
- Imbalance in gut bacteria (dysbiosis)
- Lack of digestive juices
Too much gas in the stomach can give rise to heartburn, indigestion, feeling of fullness and stomach cramps. Gas accumulating in the lower section of the gut may cause lower stomach pain, bloating, and intestinal cramping.
If you are prone to upset stomachs or a feeling of fullness, you should pay attention to the following:
- Avoid very fatty foods and preferably eat small portions.
- Alcohol and nicotine can also cause an upset stomach.
- Eat slowly - chewing longer breaks down the food, so the stomach has less work to do.
- Avoid food that causes you flatulence. This varies from individual to individual but often includes legumes, garlic, onions, cabbages, as well as beer and carbonated water.
- Relaxation exercises can help with stress-related symptoms and an irritable stomach.
- Use the stimulating effect of bitter substances on digestion before eating (aperitif, bitter salad as a starter).
- Avoid clothing that constricts your stomach.
- If necessary, seek advice from a nutritionist to find a suitable diet to improve your gut health.
As with all spasmodic disorders, warmth can often help with stomach pain relief. Therefore, a hot water bottle or a hot bath often feels pleasant.
Also, many plants can help relieve digestive disorders. Teas and extracts made from fennel or peppermint leaves, chamomile blossom, or caraway fruit are particularly popular.
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