Upset Stomach Causes

The condition of upset stomach can be described in many ways. It could be a constant pain in stomach, accompanied by, diarrhea, vomiting or flatulence. Sometimes, the patients complain about a sense of fullness in the stomach, with a mild to severe nausea or a form of acid indigestion that gives rise to heartburn. Usually, the main cause behind upset stomach is wrong or irregular eating habits. However, when a person is frequently suffering from upset stomach then the underlying upset stomach causes could be something more serious.

Causes of Upset Stomach

After eating heavy meals or eating the food fast, one may get a mild upset stomach. It can happen particularly when one eats fried foods or spicy foods. It is not at all a serious condition and can be cured when the stomach is given enough time to carry out the digestion process.

When diarrhea and vomiting accompany upset stomach, it can be due to some food poisoning or viral infection in the stomach. If the diarrhea and upset stomach occur very frequently or persist for a long time, then the underlying condition could be something more serious like any parasitic infection or irritable bowel syndrome or spastic colon.

Upset stomach could be a side effect of certain form of medication used to treat some other disease like NSAIDs (Non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs), when used for a long time, may cause upset stomach. Apart from the foods, drinks and medications, certain serious medical conditions can lead to a chronic stomach upset condition. They are stomach ulcers, gastrointestinal diseases, inflammation of the gallbladder (cholecystitis), inflammation in the stomach lining (or gastritis), pancreatitis, appendicitis, Crohn’s disease and cardiac ischemia or inadequate supply of oxygen to the heart.

Upset stomach could be a result of some food allergies as well. Suppose a person is allergic towards wheat. Every time, he or she consumes wheat, the body assumes that some harmful substance has entered the body and the body releases antibodies that leads to upset stomach. When the upset stomach causes a constant heartburn, then it is possibly caused by acid reflux disease.

Upset Stomach Home Remedies

When you get nausea along with upset stomach, you do not feel like eating anything. In such condition, drink peppermint tea to get rid of the nausea, almost instantly. The best part of peppermint tea is that it has no adverse effects on our body. It can be consumed by pregnant women also, who are suffering from upset stomach. To know more read on peppermint tea benefits.

Ginger is one of the most effective upset stomach remedies. It can be taken in various forms. Like, you can add ginger in the meals or you can prepare a ginger tea or you can simply chew a small piece of ginger candy. Ginger tea can also treat nausea very well. Ginger is rich in antioxidants and hence, has several other health benefits too. To know more read on ginger roots.

Baking soda has an instant healing effect on upset stomach. For this, you have to prepare a solution by mixing a teaspoonful of baking soda in a cup of warm water. Drink this mixture and it will start showing results within 15 minutes. If required, you can drink this mixture once again after 2-3 hours. Read more on upset stomach remedies.

What to Eat When Stomach is Upset?

When you have an upset stomach, you have to be watchful of what you eat and what you do not. If you get upset stomach after eating, then you have to avoid eating solid foods for some time. After that, when one starts a solid food rice is the best option available. This is one of the several advantages of eating rice. Like, it can fill up the stomach, but is not difficult to digest. For the same reasons, crackers are good to eat when there is a stomach upset. However, in the upset stomach condition, the crackers that are low in sodium and do not contain unhealthy fats, should be eaten.

Banana is one such fruit that can provide an excellent cure for upset stomach. It can neutralize the acids of the stomach and ease off the diarrhea. It has a soothing effect on the stomach at the same time it supplies a lot of essential nutrients to our body. Due to its easily digestible properties, banana is often given to small babies suffering from upset stomach. Foods like dairy products, nuts, citrus fruits, chocolates, caffeine substance, spicy foods should be strictly avoided, by those who are suffering from stomach upset. To know more read on upset stomach - what to eat.

Usually, upset stomach is a minor digestive problem and can be cured with some restriction in diets and with the help of common home remedies. In case, you find some danger signs like bloody stools or vomit, black stools, fatigue, loss of weight etc., then it is likely that the upset stomach causes could be serious. In that case visit your doctor immediately.