Upset tummy: Reasons, remedies, and additional insights
Dealing with a sensitive stomach can be a frustrating experience, but understanding its causes and potential treatments can help alleviate some of the discomfort. This article explores the common reasons for a sensitive stomach, the foods to avoid, and the various treatment options available.
A sensitive stomach may be the result of several factors, including food intolerances, stomach infections like stomach flu or viral gastroenteritis, indigestion, or long-term conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or irritable bowel disease (IBD).
Symptoms of a sensitive stomach can vary greatly, but may include stomach discomfort, bloating, and changes in bowel movements. In some cases, individuals may experience abdominal pain, nausea, and feelings of being full shortly after eating. One condition that specifically causes these symptoms is gastroparesis, which refers to delayed gastric emptying.
If you find yourself dealing with indigestion lasting more than a certain period, it is best to consult a healthcare professional. They can help identify the root cause and provide appropriate treatment.
Common causes of a sensitive stomach, particularly in the context of IBS and food intolerances, include eating spicy, fatty, or greasy foods; overeating; eating too quickly; stress and anxiety; gut microbiome imbalances (gut dysbiosis); certain medications; and food intolerances or sensitivities.
To help manage a sensitive stomach, it is recommended to eat smaller, more frequent meals and chew food thoroughly. Additionally, avoiding trigger foods is crucial. These typically include spicy and fatty foods, greasy or fried items, acidic foods and large amounts of caffeine or alcohol, foods that trigger individual food intolerances such as lactose or gluten in sensitive people, and, for those with IBS, foods containing FODMAPs, a type of carbohydrate that can be difficult to digest.
Treatments for sensitive stomachs and IBS focus on symptom management and may include lifestyle changes such as stress reduction and dietary adjustments to avoid trigger foods, over-the-counter antacids for heartburn or indigestion symptoms, medications like antispasmodics and certain antidepressants to reduce gut muscle spasms and visceral pain in IBS, laxatives for constipation-predominant IBS, and natural remedies like ginger, peppermint or chamomile tea, apple cider vinegar, and following the BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast).
Because IBS and food intolerances are complex and personalized, medical guidance is recommended to tailor treatments effectively. This may include evaluating gut microbiome health and stress-related factors affecting digestion.
In some cases, a sensitive stomach may be the result of a stomach infection, such as stomach flu or viral gastroenteritis, which will resolve by itself. However, if you experience severe symptoms like blood in the stool, black and tarry stool, unexplained weight loss, or if a stomach bug leads to dehydration, it is crucial to contact a doctor immediately.
Eating a bland diet can also help manage a sensitive stomach. Bland foods are easy to digest, soft, low in fiber, and not spicy or raw. Examples include broth, spinach, carrots, lean meats like chicken and fish, eggs, tofu, cream of wheat, puddings, fruit juices, and low-fat dairy products.
Indigestion, the term for a group of symptoms affecting the gastrointestinal tract, may make people feel uncomfortably full shortly after eating, with abdominal pain, nausea, and bloating. Lifestyle changes such as chewing food slowly, maintaining a moderate weight, avoiding exercise after eating, avoiding eating late at night, limiting nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, avoiding smoking, and managing stress can help alleviate these symptoms.
In summary, a sensitive stomach can be caused by a variety of factors, but understanding these causes and implementing dietary changes and lifestyle adjustments can help manage the condition. If you are experiencing persistent symptoms, it is always best to consult a healthcare professional for personalized advice and treatment.
- Predictive analysis of a person's dietary habits may help in identifying potential food trigger for a sensitive stomach.
- Diabetes, while not directly related to a sensitive stomach, can cause indigestion and other related symptoms.
- Crohn's disease, a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), shares similar symptoms with a sensitive stomach due to its impacts on digestive health.
- The food and food benefits program can help economically disadvantaged persons with chronic diseases like diabetes and IBS manage their sensitive stomachs.
- Personas targeted for health and wellness campaigns could include those with a sensitive stomach, IBS, or other related digestive conditions.
- The connection between irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and a sensitive stomach is well-established, as both conditions share similar symptoms and triggers.
- Degeneration of the digestive system over time can lead to a more sensitive stomach and increased risk of chronic diseases like IBS or gerd.
- Indigestion issues can exacerbate atopic dermatitis due to the body's stress response and subsequent inflammation.
- GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease, is a chronic condition that affects the digestive system and can cause a sensitive stomach.
- Psoriasis, a common skin disease, can have underlying digestive causes such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or IBS that contribute to a sensitive stomach.
- Various diseases and medical-conditions like diabetes, IBS, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), gerd, and other chronic-diseases affect the digestive and health-and-wellness of millions worldwide.
- Fitness-and-exercise is important for maintaining a healthy gut and reducing the chances of a sensitive stomach.
- Therapies-and-treatments for a sensitive stomach include probiotics, fiber supplements, and medications for acid reflux or digestive motility.
- Nutrition is closely linked to a person's overall health, as a healthy diet can alleviate symptoms of a sensitive stomach and lower the risk of developing other chronic diseases like diabetes or psoriasis.
- Healthy-diets centered around lean proteins, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables can help manage a sensitive stomach and provide essential nutrients for maintaining overall health.
- Medicare coverage may vary for supplements and treatments related to managing a sensitive stomach or conditions like IBS or colitis.
- The non-psychoactive compound CBD has shown promising results in managing gut inflammation and symptoms of IBS or Crohn's disease, possibly impacting the sensitivity of the stomach.
- The science behind understanding and managing a sensitive stomach, as well as other chronic-diseases like IBS or ulcerative colitis, is continuously advancing within the medical community.
- Regular screenings and check-ups are essential for identifying and managing conditions such as macular degeneration, arthritis, hepatitis, dry eye disease (DE), or psoriatic arthritis which may indirectly affect digestive and overall health, regardless of one's ibs, migraine, or tier of type.
