Stress & Stomach Pain
Stress is part of life. Occasionally, stress becomes so intense, that it manifests itself in physical symptoms. Stomach pain is one common symptom that many people under stress experience.
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Identification
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Stomach pain often feels like a burning pain, stabbing pain, sharp pain or a dull ache in the midsection of the body. There are also other organs that can cause pain in this area such as the appendix, pancreas, kidneys and gallbladder. This can make it more difficult to determine the cause of stomach pain.
Peptic Ulcer
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A stomach ulcer can be very painful, and is often made worse by stress. The symptoms of an ulcer are burning pain in the stomach, nausea, indigestion, heartburn and gas. A stomach ulcer is often more painful when the stomach is empty, and the pain often goes away after eating.
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Gastritis
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Gastritis is an inflammation of the stomach lining. This condition causes symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, gas, heartburn and stomach pain. Stress may increase the production of acid in the stomach, making this condition worse.
Treatment
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Antacids such as Mylanta or Maalox may be helpful in relieving stomach pain temporarily. It is important to avoid alcohol and NSAID pain relievers when experiencing stomach pain. Reducing stress and learning to manage it, can be helpful in improving these stomach conditions.
Warning
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It is important to seek medical attention if stomach pain is accompanied by fever, black or bloody stools, bloody vomit, chills, intense pain and feeling faint. This could be a sign of a serious condition.
Stress
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Stress can take control of our lives and produce physical symptoms such as stomach upset, headache, heart palpitations, trouble sleeping and back pain. Stress can also make us feel depressed, sad, worried and burned out. If you have a great deal of stress in your life that is causing symptoms, get help from your doctor. Learning to manage stress will go a long way in helping to relieve these symptoms.
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