What could your stomach upset mean?

Loose motions, stomach pain and cramps could indicate hundreds of gastrointestinal problems. Find out which one are you suffering from

By: Shraddha Rupavate | | Updated: March 4, 2015 6:04 pm

A stomach upset is a very common symptom but identifying its exact cause becomes difficult as most gastrointestinal problems cause stomach upsets. However, other symptoms present along with the stomach upset could help in determining the root cause. If you’re suffering from a stomach upset then you’re most likely to be diagnosed with one of these problems.

1. Anxiety: If your stomach started grumbling right after getting caught up in a stressful situation, it’s clearly due to anxiety. Under stressful situations, physiological and endocrine changes that take place can cause digestive distress and give rise to symptoms like stomach cramps, diarrhea and stomach aches.

2. Gasteroenteritis: If your stomach upset occurred right after the day you ate roadside food, then it’s most likely due to the stomach flu or gastroenteritis. Viral gastroenteritis is quite common during the monsoons. It is caused by norovirus more commonly among adults, but it can be caused by bacterial and parasitic infections as well. Viral stomach flu gets better within a week without medications.

3. Food poisoning: In case, your stomach upset is coupled with severe cramps, fever and chills, then it could be a bit more serious. You could be suffering from food poisoning, caused due to infection with bacteria like E.coli and Salmonella. Visit a doctor immediately and get the right treatment.

4. Peptic ulcer: An even more dangerous cause of stomach upset would be stomach ulcers. A general feeling of fullness, an inability to consume more fluids, stomach pain, dark coloured stools and vomiting could be an indication of ulcers caused by Helicobacter pylori infection, alcohol or even due to overuse of certain medications. Peptic ulcers can become really serious and may even require hospitalisation.

5. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): Stomach upsets that usually don’t have a defining cause and are mainly triggered with a particular diet could be due to irritable bowel syndrome. Apart from diarrhea and stomach aches, you could also suffer from bloating, flatulence and constipation at times.

6. Indigestion: Dyspepsia (poor digestion or indigestion) is a fairly common gastrointestinal problem that many people suffer from. It mainly develops due to a functional disability of the intestinal organs like the colon, small intestine, stomach and gall bladder.

7. Gallstones: They are formed in the gallbladder, an organ situated below the liver. Presence of stones in the gallbladder can cause swelling and pain under the rib cage, usually just after having a meal. It can even be followed by vomiting and fever.

8. Colitis: It is a common form of inflammatory bowel disease that occurs in people above 30 years of age. It causes stomach pain, diarrhea, nausea and an urgent need to defecate.

Image source: Getty images

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Published : July 28, 2014 3:32 pm | Updated:March 4, 2015 6:04 pm

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