The stomach aches or abdominal pain are discomforts that arise as a symptom of any ailment, pathology or as a response of the body to bad eating habits.
A stomach ache can be associated with several factors, especially those that intervene directly at mealtime, such as the speed at which we eat, the amount of food we eat, the quality and combination of food, the freshness of the preparations, the schedules and the frequency with which we go to the table, the conditions in which we eat, among others.
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What causes stomach pain?
In addition to the factors that we review, it is always advisable to observe what we are doing, what is the routine and what elements are associated with the stomach pain that we present. If when we finish eating a certain food we have an unpleasant or uncomfortable stomach reaction, we should avoid ingesting that food and explore the reasons why we do not tolerate it.
There are several examples related to these ailments, such as celiac disease, lactose intolerance, the feeling of fullness, allergies to citrus fruits, fish, shellfish and many other foods that cause us these and other discomforts such as gas, stomach pain, heartburn, headache, nausea, etc.
The reasons for a stomach ache can be simple or complex.
Simple causes
- Stomach infection, due to some badly washed food, food in bad condition, etc., which produces cramps and the consequent diarrhea.
- Constipation, caused by a low fiber diet, little water consumption and the consumption of processed foods and sugars.
- Allergies
- Irritable bowel syndrome.
- Menstrual cramps
- Viral gastroenteritis, caused by ingesting contaminated water or poorly washed food or by contact with someone infected.
Among the more complex causes of stomach pain
- Appendicitis, painful infection of the appendix and whose solution is the removal of this.
- Intestinal blockage, that prevents the passage of solid or liquid food through the intestines (small or large), caused by the presence of adhesions in the abdomen (fibrous strips of tissue) formed after a surgical operation, or by inflammation of the intestine, hernias, diverticulitis, among others.
- Abdominal aortic aneurysm, a prominence of the main artery of the body and which can rupture at any time, especially if there is a sudden rise in blood pressure.
- Cholecystitis, gallbladder inflammation.
- Stomach or colon cancer
- Intestinal ischemia or reduced blood flow to the intestines.
- Acidity, gastroesophageal reflux or indigestion.
- Kidney stones
- Gastritis, inflammation of the gastric mucosa.
- Ulcers.
- Pancreatitis or inflammation from infection of the pancreas
- Ectopic pregnancy, when pregnancy forms outside the uterus.
- Endometriosis or thickening of the endometrium
- Urinary infections.
For both the simplest and most complicated reasons, remedies that serve as palliative can be used, however, it is necessary to go to the specialist, who will determine the causes of stomach pain, and therefore will indicate the appropriate treatment.
If it is an indigestion or a temporary cause such as menstrual pain, the consumption of teas, infusions and home remedies can be effective; While if it is a stomach pain associated with other factors, which can also include stress, there are other recommendations.
How to overcome and avoid stomach pain
These are some of the actions that help us avoid these annoying pains:
- Follow a low-fat diet.
- Increase the consumption of foods rich in fiber, such as vegetables (raw and cooked) and fruits, both whole and in smoothies.
- Decrease your sugar intake and processed foods.
- Eliminate the consumption of sodas and carbonated drinks.
- Eat cereals and other whole foods.
- Include more fish and other white meats.
- Decrease the consumption of grains or legumes.
- Do not eat large amounts.
- Do not eat late.
- Avoid eating before going to bed.
- Drink plenty of water for the whole day.
- Avoid street foods of which the hygiene, handling and preservation of food are unknown.
- Eat at a moderate speed.
- Avoid cold drinks at meals, especially when consuming soups, broths and other liquid preparations.
- Avoid practicing physical exercises before and immediately after meals.
- Talk less while eating, it also prevents stomach pain.
- Limit consumption of gas-producing foods and beverages,
such as beans, lentils, peas, chickpeas, as well as cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, artichokes, cabbage, spinach, turnips, lettuce, chard, bell peppers, asparagus, raw onion, and cucumber. - Reduce the consumption of cola soda.
- Lower the doses of coffee per day.
- Reduce the intake of aged and fatty cheeses, as well as yogurt with fruits, with nuts or cereals.
- Eat more low-fat or milk-free dairy foods.
- Avoid reheated food.
- Consume dishes and foods of the day. Do not eat food that has been kept in the fridge for a long time.
- Reduce the consumption of organ meats, delicatessen products and cold cuts.
- Do not consume smoked meats more than once a week.
- Reduce the consumption of sweets, salty and sweet. Reduce your intake of chocolate, sweets, cakes and ice cream.
- Eat more cooked food in water, in the oven or on the grill, and less frying.
- Avoid bakery, pastry and industrialized foods.
- Do not sit down to eat when you have any difficulty or are going through an uncomfortable moment, because that state of mind will have an impact on the way food enters the stomach.
- Avoid the consumption of cigarettes, alcohol and other substances that are harmful to the body.
- Seek professional help for events that affect emotionally or generate stress, as they are directly related to the upset stomach that we may feel.
- Maintaining a healthy weight also helps avoid stomach pain, which requires, in addition to having a balanced and satisfactory diet according to our lifestyle, the practice of daily exercises.