About Upset Stomachs

Upset stomach, also known as indigestion or dyspepsia is a common condition that can affect people of all ages at any time. An upset stomach is usually a temporary condition that poses no serious threat, but if it occurs repeatedly there could be an underlying cause.

Significance

• Several factors can contribute to the onset of an upset stomach. These factors may include overeating, eating too quickly, the type of foods eaten such as greasy foods, stress, anxiety or infection. Upset stomach can also occur due to pregnancy, motion sickness or flu.

Features

• The most common symptom that people complain of is pain in the abdominal area. A child will often say that his stomach (tummy) hurts. Symptoms that usually accompany an upset stomach are:
  Pain in abdomen
  Bloating
  Nausea
  Vomiting
  Heartburn
  Excessive belching
  Cramps

Considerations

• There are several triggers that can cause the onset of an upset stomach. A trigger is an identifying factor preceding the onset of a particular symptom or set of symptoms. If one can learn to identify the triggers and avoid them he can alleviate or lessen the chance of repeated suffering from the condition. Common triggers of an upset stomach include stress, anxiety and nervousness. It is quite common to experience stomach pain and diarrhea when nervous or stressed over a situation or event. Certain medications can also cause stomach upset. Such mild side effects may subside once your body becomes acclimated to a long-term medication. However, if you are only on a medicine for a brief time, you may have to deal with the condition until you have finished taking it. Make sure you are following instructions and eating food with the medicine if indicated. You may also ask your physician if another medication could be prescribed.

Effects

• Eating patterns can also cause stomach upset. If abdominal discomfort occurs after consuming certain foods it would be best to avoid those foods. Eating greasy and/or spicy foods is a common cause of stomach upset. People often suffer from stomach upset when they consume too much food in one meal. Eating smaller portions more often can help to alleviate the problem. Consuming food too quickly is also hard on digestion. It is important to chew food adequately. Avoid eating right before going to bed. Sleeping on a full stomach can cause indigestion and may disturb sleep. Keep in mind that going too long without eating can also cause nausea and stomach upset.

Warning

• Recurring bouts of stomach upset can have an underlying cause such as an ulcer or other health condition. Severe stomach upset could be caused by food poisoning, inflammation of the stomach, appendicitis or other intestinal disorders. If you suffer from repeated stomach upset or experience severe pain in the stomach it is best to seek medical attention to rule out any serious condition.

Prevention/Solution

• Mild stomach upset can be treated by taking over-the-counter medications such as an antacid or medication to relieve diarrhea. It is important to get adequate bed rest and drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration especially when the stomach upset includes diarrhea and/or vomiting. Eat small amounts of food for a couple of days to give your stomach time to settle. Avoid drinking milk or eating any dairy foods. Eat bland food at first such as crackers, bread, rice, broth and small amounts of chicken.