NERVOUS STOMACH: Stressful People Beware

Stress can impact you both physically and psychologically, especially when the mind is overly troubled – so much that you are no longer able to handle the stress.  This can affect your stomach’s function, a condition known as “nervous stomach.”  Though it is not serious nor fatal, it is wearisome and can interfere with your daily life.  Also, if you already have issues with the gastrointestinal tract, nervous stomach may exacerbate the condition further. 

What is Nervous Stomach?

Nervous stomach is an ailment of the stomach and intestine because of stress, whereby the balance within the gastrointestinal system becomes altered – with the stomach being more acidic.  This reduces movements inside the intestine which can, subsequently, lead to other disorders.

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What causes Nervous Stomach

Nervous stomach occurs when stressfulness causes suppression of the immune system, particularly that of the gastrointestinal tract.  This induces an imbalance between good and bad bacteria inside the gastrointestinal system, which may lead to a greater risk of infection.  In addition, stress can affect muscles of the gastrointestinal tract by provoking the esophagus muscles to contract, become convulsive and contorted more.  It also prompts additional acid release inside the stomach, such that the stomach becomes too acidic which can cause bloating, flatulence, or diarrhea.

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Warning Signs of Nervous Stomach

• Pain or discomfort in the epigastric region or below the ribcage on the left side.  The is the initial sign of nervous stomach.
• A change in sleep habits. An example of this is when you do not have sufficient sleep at night, because of stress, that leads to greater fatigue during the day.
• Increased appetite. When under stress, the body will crave more food – especially sweets, as they increase the body’s sense of contentment. 

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What are the symptoms of Nervous Stomach?

• Pain or discomfort in the epigastric area
• Colic pain or tightness in the abdomen
• Nausea, vomiting
• Dizziness
• Hiccups, acidic regurgitation
• Indigestion, bloating
• Feeling full quicker after a meal and remain full longer than usual
• Constipation, diarrhea

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How to treat Nervous Stomach

1) Adjusting daily habits.  If you feel stressful, sleep-deprived, pain or discomfort in the epigastric area, you should avoid activities that cause your stress.  Exercise and sufficient rest will help alleviate the symptoms, but they must be combined with making changes to your dietary habits also.

2) Adjusting dietary habits. This must be in combination with changes to your daily habits as well, and it includes:

Avoiding spicey and acidic foods, as they will trigger more acid release in the stomach.

• Avoiding oily and deep-fired foods, as they are difficult to digest and remain too long inside the stomach, subsequently leading to bloating.
• Avoiding beverages with high caffeine content – such as tea and coffee – as they will trigger more acid release in the stomach.
• Abstaining from alcohols and fermented beverages, as they will trigger more acid release in the stomach.

3) Taking medication.  When adjusting your daily along with dietary habits fail to improve the symptoms, it is recommended that you consult a specialist and have the cause diagnosed in detail.  Your doctor may choose to prescribe medication – such as an acid reducer, stomach pain reliever, carminative or dimenhydrinate medicines – to help relieve the symptoms of nervous stomach.

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When to see a doctor immediately about nervous stomach

You should consider consulting a specialist immediately if you have been treated for nervous stomach but the condition does not improve, and the symptoms also include: loss of appetite, unexplained weight loss, vomiting blood, blacken or bloody stools, or if you have a family history of gastrointestinal cancer.  Leaving this unaddressed for an extended period, or letting it become chronic, may lead to a much more serious condition than you think.

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Preventing Nervous Stomach

Nervous Stomach can be an intermittent condition, as it is related to stress.  However, if it occurs frequently, it can lead to a lesion in the stomach; as stress causes more acid to be released within the stomach.  Therefore, the best prevention is to take care of your body and mind by reducing stress while also choosing easy to digest foods and avoiding oily or deep-fried as well as acidic and fermented foods.  You should take a stroll after each meal to induce intestinal movements.  Other remedies also include exercise and sufficient rests.  All of these will help prevent and alleviate the symptoms of nervous stomach.

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Doctor Specializes in Nervous Stomach

Dr. Thipsukhon Sathapanasir, Internist, Internal Medicine Clinic, Bangkok Hospital.

Click here for appointment

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Hospital Specializes in Nervous Stomach Treatment

Internal Medicine Clinic, Bangkok Hospital, is well-qualified to provide nervous stomach treatment, with our experienced specialists as well as the team of multidisciplinary professionals to care for our patients so that they can contentedly return to their productive life.