- Everyone at some point experiences some amount of stomach discomfort. There can be many different causes of an upset stomach. The first of the reasons is due to food. A diet too full of fat, eating food too quickly or eating too much food can all lead to a serious case of an upset stomach. An upset stomach can also be caused by stomach acid. This is also partially due to food but happens when the natural stomach acid that you have inside your stomach fluctuates and can even return up your esophagus, causing acid reflux. Too much food could also cause bloating and pressure in the form of gas that will also upset the stomach. An upset stomach can also be caused by causes not related to food such as too much alcohol, reactions to medications, illegal drug use and stress. Most of these causes can be relieved by either stopping the habit or taking a over-the-counter stomach relief medication.
- There are also more serious causes of stomach pains that will require medical attention. These causes include gall bladder inflammation (cholecystitis) not enough blood flow to the heart (cardiac ischemia) swelling of the lining of your stomach (gastritis), ulcers and a swollen pancreas (pancreatitis).
- The treatment of an upset stomach varies depending on the circumstances causing the issues. If the symptoms are due to stress, treatment may involve stress-reduction techniques. If the symptoms are due to inflammation, you may be prescribed an antibiotic. If it is due to overeating, a change in diet and a trip to your drugstore may be enough to relieve your symptoms.
- The best form of prevention for a stomachache is keeping a food journal of what you are doing and eating on days that you experience an upset stomach. By doing this, you should be able to discover what is causing the problem. If your stomach continues to be upset for more than a few days or if you cannot determine what is causing it, you should seek medical attention.
