Contents:

How to understand that your stomach hurts and what to do

Discomfort in the upper abdomen is often perceived as stomach pain. However, other organs are also located in this area, so the cause of unpleasant sensations is not always related specifically to the stomach. 

To assess the situation correctly, it is worth paying attention to the nature of the pain, its exact localization, and accompanying symptoms. Next, we will discuss how to understand whether it is really the stomach, what such sensations may be related to, and what to do if they recur.

Where the stomach hurts

Most often, the stomach causes discomfort in the upper central part of the abdomen — under the sternum, slightly above the navel. This area is called the epigastrium. If unpleasant sensations are localized exactly here, patients usually describe them as pain in the pit of the stomach.

At the same time, it is important to remember that pain on the right under the ribs is more often associated with the liver or gallbladder, and in the lower left — with the intestines. The exact localization of discomfort is the first step toward understanding its cause, however, for a complete assessment of the condition, the nature of the pain and accompanying symptoms should also be taken into account. The exact cause can be established only based on the results of examinations.

How to understand that your stomach hurts

To understand whether the source of discomfort is the stomach itself, it is important to assess the nature of the sensations and their relationship with food intake. Patients describe how the stomach hurts in different ways: it may be aching, burning, or squeezing pain in the upper abdomen, a feeling of heaviness, or distension under the sternum.

A fairly typical situation is stomach pain after eating, especially if it occurs regularly or worsens after fatty, spicy, or overly large meals. Sometimes a person notices that the stomach hurts and belching appears almost simultaneously or immediately after eating.

Another common symptom is a constant feeling of a full stomach even after a small portion. This may indicate impaired motility or an inflammatory process of the mucous membrane.

Signs that the cause is the stomach may include:

  • nausea after eating;
  • a feeling of heaviness in the upper abdomen;
  • bloating and discomfort when lying down;
  • worsening pain on an empty stomach or at night;
  • temporary relief after eating or taking antacids.

If the pain is sharp, intense, accompanied by vomiting, fever, or general weakness, it is important not to self-medicate, but to see a doctor to clarify the cause.

Why the stomach hurts: common causes

Why the stomach hurts: common causes

Pain in the stomach area can occur for various reasons — from temporary functional disorders to inflammatory or ulcerative changes in the mucous membrane. In many cases, discomfort is related to lifestyle, diet, or exposure to external factors.

The most common causes include:

  • irregular eating patterns and long breaks between meals;
  • overeating or consuming fatty, spicy, acidic foods;
  • stress and psycho-emotional overstrain;
  • alcohol abuse;
  • taking certain medications, in particular nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
  • infection with Helicobacter pylori;
  • inflammatory changes in the gastric mucosa (in particular gastritis);
  • increased acidity;
  • duodenal involvement.

In each case, the mechanism of pain differs: sometimes it is irritation of the mucosa by acid, sometimes — spasm or impaired motility. That is why it is important to consider when exactly discomfort appears — after eating, at night, in the morning, or on an empty stomach.

Why the stomach hurts after eating

Pain after eating is most often associated with irritation of the mucous membrane or impaired digestion. If the food is heavy, fatty, or too spicy, it stimulates active secretion of gastric juice, which can cause burning and pressure in the upper abdomen.

Another cause may be delayed gastric emptying. In this case, a feeling of fullness, heaviness, and nausea appear. If the pain recurs regularly after eating, this may indicate an inflammatory process or increased acidity, which requires examination and treatment.

Why the stomach hurts at night

Night pain is often associated with increased acidity or irritation of the mucous membrane. In a horizontal position, the stomach contents more easily enter the esophagus, which can cause burning and discomfort.

Sometimes night pain is typical for peptic ulcer disease or inflammation of the mucosa, especially if it decreases after eating or taking antacids. Regular night symptoms are a reason to undergo an examination to rule out more serious causes.

Why the stomach hurts in the morning

Morning discomfort is often associated with a long break between meals. Overnight, acid accumulates in the stomach, which can irritate the mucosa, especially if there is a tendency to increased acidity.

Also, morning pain is sometimes combined with nausea or a bitter taste in the mouth. If symptoms recur regularly, it is worth paying attention to eating patterns and discussing the problem with a doctor.

Why the stomach hurts when you are hungry

So-called “hunger” pain usually appears a few hours after eating and may temporarily decrease after a snack. This is related to the effect of acid on the mucous membrane when there is no food in the stomach to neutralize it.

This symptom may occur with increased acidity, inflammation of the mucosa, or duodenal involvement. If the pain recurs systematically, self-treatment may only temporarily reduce manifestations but not eliminate the cause, so it is advisable to have a consultation and, if necessary, additional diagnostics.

What to drink when your stomach hurts

If the discomfort is moderate and there are no alarming symptoms (severe sharp pain, vomiting blood, black stools, pronounced weakness, or high fever), first choose the safest steps: stop eating for 2–3 hours, drink water in small sips, and avoid coffee, carbonated drinks and, of course, alcohol.

Most often, for temporary relief, remedies are used that reduce irritation of the mucosa or neutralize acid. The choice depends on the nature of the symptoms and the duration of discomfort.

What you can drink with moderate discomfort:

  • room-temperature water in small portions;
  • warm weak tea without lemon and mint;
  • antacids (medications that neutralize acid) for short-term relief;
  • alginates if heartburn or a sour taste in the mouth predominates;
  • anti-bloating agents based on simethicone if the discomfort is accompanied by flatulence;
  • oral rehydration solutions if there is vomiting or diarrhea (to replenish fluids).

Important: do not take NSAIDs (for example, ibuprofen, diclofenac, aspirin), because they can irritate the mucosa and worsen symptoms. 

If discomfort recurs, lasts several days, or returns in waves, you should not limit yourself to “symptomatic” remedies. In such situations, a doctor may recommend examinations, including gastroscopy, to accurately determine the cause and select treatment.

What to eat when your stomach hurts

During pain or discomfort, it is important to reduce the load on the gastric mucosa. Meals should be gentle, regular, and in small portions. It is better to eat 4–5 times a day, avoiding long breaks.

It is recommended to choose dishes that are easy to digest and do not irritate the mucosa:

  • mucilaginous cereals cooked in water (oatmeal, rice);
  • boiled or baked lean meat (chicken, turkey);
  • steamed cutlets;
  • boiled vegetables without coarse fiber;
  • low-fat soups without frying;
  • dried white bread or crackers;
  • bananas, baked apples.

Food should be warm, not hot and not cold. If the pain is associated with increased acidity, overly large portions can increase discomfort, so it is better to choose fractional meals.

What you should not eat when your stomach hurts

During exacerbation or periodic discomfort, it is important to temporarily exclude products that irritate the mucosa or stimulate excessive acid secretion.

These include:

  • fried and fatty foods;
  • spicy spices and marinades;
  • smoked foods;
  • acidic sauces and citrus fruits;
  • carbonated drinks;
  • coffee and strong tea;
  • alcohol;
  • fresh baked goods.

Even if symptoms are not very pronounced, regular consumption of such products can sustain the inflammatory process and provoke recurrent episodes of pain. 

How to understand that your stomach hurts and what to do

When you should see a doctor

Not every episode of discomfort in the stomach area is dangerous; however, there are situations when you should not postpone a consultation. If the pain recurs regularly or becomes more intense, this is already a reason for examination, even if symptoms temporarily decrease after medications.

You should обязательно see a doctor if:

  • the pain lasts several days in a row or often returns;
  • symptoms gradually worsen;
  • a sharp, severe pain appears;
  • vomiting occurs, especially with blood admixtures;
  • stool becomes dark or black;
  • unexplained weight loss is observed;
  • body temperature rises;
  • the pain is accompanied by marked weakness or dizziness.

You should also see a doctor if pain appeared while regularly taking painkillers or anti-inflammatory medications.

Timely consultation with a doctor makes it possible to identify the cause of disorders at an early stage and prevent complications. If symptoms recur, you should not limit yourself to self-treatment — it is better to get a professional assessment of the condition and start treatment.

The information in the article is provided for ознакомления and is not a guide to самостоятельной diagnosis and treatment. If symptoms of the disease appear, you should consult a doctor.  

Sources:

US National Library of Medicine (MedlinePlus – Stomach Pain)

National Institutes of Health (NIDDK – Indigestion (Dyspepsia))

PubMed (Review Article – Evaluation and Management of Dyspepsia)