Identifying and Addressing the Root Cause of Your Stomach Problems

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Chronic stomach problems can make life miserable.

For example, you may not be able to work steadily, which impedes your stability. Stomach issues can take you away from time with family, friends, and hobbies. They can also disrupt your sleep, leading you to go through your days less engaged.

Fortunately, it’s possible to solve your stomach problems, but you have to identify and address the root cause of them first. If you’re suffering from stomach issues, it may be because of one of these root causes.

Digestive Tract Conditions

One of the first places to turn when trying to discover the cause of your stomach problems is digestive tract conditions. The pain and discomfort you’re experiencing in your gut may be due to imbalances in your digestive system.

For example, Gastro-esophageal reflux syndrome (GERD) occurs when the esophagus is irritated by a relaxed esophageal sphincter, hiatal hernia, or bacterial infection. One of the main symptoms of GERD is stomach pain and discomfort.

You can resolve GERD and other digestive tract conditions, like Celiac disease or Diverticulitis, with a better diet and other lifestyle changes. But minor tweaks may not be enough. Instead, it may take a medication regimen that includes antacids and PPIs or surgery to truly make a difference.

Know the signs and symptoms of common digestive tract conditions so you can reach out to your doctor when they arise and seek appropriate treatment immediately.

Stress

If there’s one thing we can count on in life, it’s stressful events. From losing a job to raising children to grieving a lost loved one, stress makes its way to us. Unfortunately, excessive amounts of stress can cause various gastrointestinal problems.

For example, it can cause esophagus spasms, trigger indigestion, initiate constipation, make you nauseous, and give you diarrhea. And if it gets serious enough, stress can restrict the blood flow and oxygen to your stomach, causing an imbalance in gut bacteria.

So, make stress reduction a priority. Participate in meditation and mindfulness activities regularly. Exercise daily if you can. Pursue your passions. Take time off from work and other responsibilities. Also, consider seeing a therapist.

Drinking Too Much Alcohol

Consuming alcohol may be fun when you’re out socializing, but drinking too much of it could harshly affect your gut health.

Consuming too much alcohol can increase harmful gut bacteria that end up outgrowing good gut bacteria. Cracks and holes can then form in your intestinal walls, allowing bad bacteria and toxins to move through the bloodstream and cause severe inflammation.

Significantly cutting back on your alcohol consumption will help you avoid alcohol’s negative effects on your stomach.

Poor Diet

A poor diet is one of the most common causes of stomach issues. Eating a whole bunch of processed foods, sugar, sodium, and empty carbs on a regular basis can cause consistent stomach pain, nausea, and digestive issues.

It’s best to eliminate as much food and drink deemed harmful to your health and replace it with a nutritious diet. Meals heavy on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, protein, and healthy fats will soothe your stomach and nourish your body. In addition, add supplements and multivitamins to complement your commitment to good nutrition.

Food Allergies

Many people have no idea they have specific food allergies, especially if their symptoms are tolerable. All it takes is a bite of an allergy-causing food for digestive problems, nausea, and stomach pain to flare up.  

There are various at-home tests you can take to determine specific food allergies. However, it’s best to start with a visit to your doctor’s office to ensure you’re taking the proper tests and you get a treatment plan tailored to your unique symptoms.

Problems With the Organs Near the Stomach

Surprisingly, the source of some people’s stomach issues has nothing to do with their stomachs. Instead, abdominal pain and discomfort could be caused by problems with organs or bodily systems near the stomach.

For example, kidney stones, a urinary tract infection, pneumonia, or cancer in your pelvic organ can cause stomach issues. If you’ve concluded that the causes we’ve detailed earlier in this article aren’t reasons for your stomach issues, ask your doctor to look at the organs and systems near your stomach for insight.

Conclusion

Living with chronic stomach problems is tough. However, it doesn’t have to stop your life. By identifying the root cause of your stomach issues and addressing them with the tips above, you can manage your symptoms, if not eliminate your pain and discomfort entirely.