Does your stomach hurt when you wake up in the morning? It can be pretty annoying and uncomfortable. While stomach pain can happen at any time, many people experience it in the morning. The type of stomach aches you experience may vary depending on the cause. It can be a sharp, sudden pain or a dull, constant ache. There can be various reasons behind stomach pain, regardless of its timing.
If you are wondering why your stomach hurts when you wake up, this article is for you. Keep reading as we discuss the common causes of stomach pain and its treatment.
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Reasons why your stomach hurts when you wake up
From an underlying disease to an upcoming bowel movement, there can be various reasons your stomach hurts.
“Stomach pain can range from mild to critical, so it’s necessary to determine whether it’s mild discomfort or something more serious,” says general physician Dr. Sajjad Rizvi.
Stomach pain in the morning can disrupt your daily routine and make it difficult to complete everyday tasks. Let’s explore some of the common causes of stomach pain in the morning:
1. Constipation
Constipation is a gastrointestinal condition that causes difficulty passing stools, leading to fewer stools. It can occur due to a lack of fiber, dehydration, a change in routine, or other issues with your stomach function.
Constipation can cause hard stools, lumpy stools, pain while passing stool, and stomach pain. It traps gas in your stomach which leads to cramping and pain. It may occur in the morning or when you are trying to pass a bowel movement.
2. Ulcers
Ulcers are sores that can develop in your stomach lining and cause painful symptoms like stomach pain and burning in the chest. You may feel stomach pain throughout the day, but it may worsen in the morning when your stomach is empty.
An ulcer may occur if you overuse NSAIDs or have H. pylori infection. Apart from stomach pain, an ulcer can also cause bloody stool, vomiting, nausea, burping, loss of appetite, and weight loss.
3. Indigestion
Do you ever feel a burning in your chest after a heavy meal? It is called indigestion. Indigestion occurs due to overeating, medication overuse, unhealthy lifestyle, or underlying health issues like GERD. Indigestion can cause stomach pain in the morning or throughout the day.
It may accompany other symptoms, such as diarrhea, burping, bloating, gas, and vomiting. You can treat indigestion by getting treatment for any condition that is causing indigestion.
4. Irritable bowel syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a stomach issue that can have many gastric symptoms, including stomach pain, constipation, diarrhea, bloating, gas, and mucus in stool. Irritable bowel syndrome can affect your digestive tract. You can manage the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome to improve your condition and stomach pain in the morning.
5. Crohn’s disease
This disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that can have uncomfortable symptoms, including stomach ache and lower abdominal pain.
It can cause other symptoms like diarrhea, anemia, weight loss, and nausea. It usually affects your whole digestive tract. Some foods and stress can trigger the disease and worsen its symptoms.
6. Ulcerative colitis
Another type of IBD, ulcerative colitis is a condition that affects your colon. It can cause stomach aches, low energy, increasing urge to pass a bowel movement and bloody diarrhea.
Like Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis does not have a cure but medications and lifestyle changes can help manage the disease and improve the quality of your life.
7. Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis causes stomach pain in the morning. This condition occurs when your pancreas becomes inflamed, hindering its ability to digest food properly.
The pain may worsen in the morning after breakfast as food ingestion can disturb the pancreas. It may also have other symptoms like fever, vomiting, and nausea. Pancreatitis usually gets better with treatment.
8. Gastroenteritis
Gastroenteritis, or stomach flu, is an infection that can upset your stomach. It can be viral or bacterial. Gastroenteritis leads to stomach pain alongside other symptoms like diarrhea and vomiting.
9. Appendicitis
The appendix is a small organ attached to your intestine and when it becomes inflamed, it can lead to appendicitis.
It causes stomach pain and the pain may worsen when the inflammation increases. It can also cause fever and nausea and often requires an appendectomy (appendix removal surgery).
10. Celiac disease
Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease that causes swelling in the small intestines due to gluten. It can cause symptoms like stomach aches, diarrhea, gas, bloating, and anemia.
It can get better if you follow a gluten-free diet but there is no conclusive cure for it.
11. GERD
Gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD), or acid reflux, is a stomach condition in which the stomach acid moves up to your mouth. It can cause stomach pain and severe burning in the chest.
It may also show symptoms of heartburn, nausea, bad breath, and bloating. Your doctor may recommend medicines for your condition. Changing your lifestyle can also help manage symptoms.
“If you’re experiencing acidity, antacids can be a quick and effective solution. These are available in various forms, including syrups, which can provide some relief,” says Dr. Sajjad Rizvi.
12. Gallstones
Stomach pain can also happen if you have gallstones. Stones in the gallbladder can make your stomach ache. If you have gallstones, you may feel nausea, vomiting, dark urine, and other symptoms that can indicate gallbladder stones. You may require gallbladder surgery (cholecystectomy) if you have this condition.
Stomach pain treatment
The treatment of your stomach pain depends on the cause. Getting treatment for the disease that is causing stomach pain can improve your condition. If the cause is indigestion, an antacid may alleviate your issue. You may sometimes need antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medication to get better.
If the cause of your stomach pain is a disease like GERD, lifestyle modifications can help you get better. Moreover, if your condition is due to issues like gallstones, you may require surgery, so if your stomach pain persists or has additional symptoms, a doctor can guide you regarding the treatment of your issue.
Home remedies for stomach pain
Stomach pain may vary according to its cause, though most causes may not happen if you adopt a healthy lifestyle that promotes a healthy gut. Lifestyle alterations can help treat, manage, and prevent gastric diseases. These include:
1. Eating a healthy diet
Your meal should have a balance of proteins, fiber, and other nutrients that can benefit your body. A nutritious and rich diet can help keep your stomach issues at bay. You should eat a bland diet if you are suffering from stomach problems, which are causing your stomach to ache.
Dr. Sajjad Rizvi recommends eating semi-solid or soft foods if you have a stomach ache. If vomiting occurs, medications should be taken to address the issue.
2. Exercise consistently
Exercising regularly can help improve your stomach and gut health. It helps you digest food faster and helps relieve gas and stomach aches.
3. Use a heat compress
Heat compress can relax your stomach muscles by providing the area with warmth. It can help lower stomach aches, especially if you have stomach cramps.
4. Drink water
Water is essential for your digestive tract to absorb all nutrients and helps regulate bowel movements. Not drinking enough water can lead to dehydration, resulting in constipation. You may also get bloating because of electrolyte imbalance due to lack of drinking water.
5. Avoid trigger foods
Some foods are likely to make your stomach ache worse by exacerbating your condition. Oily foods slow your digestion and lead to the tightening of your intestines, which may result in stomach pain. Moreover, spicy food can also worsen stomach pain and can aggravate your stomach’s condition.
Drinks with caffeine may also make your stomach pain worse, so it is best to avoid them. Alcohol can also worsen stomach pain, so limit its intake.
6. Try ginger
Ginger is a natural ingredient found in almost all households. It has anti-inflammatory properties that can soothe any swelling in your stomach and alleviate stomach pain. You can add it to your meal or drink ginger tea to use it for stomach pain.
Conclusion
Stomach pain can happen to anyone at any time but it usually occurs in the morning when your stomach is empty or when you have breakfast. When you eat something, some conditions may become worse. Various causes of stomach pain happen in the morning.
Stomach pain mostly occurs as a symptom of an underlying issue. Gastric issues like constipation and indigestion can cause stomach pain, though they are not long-term issues and are easily treatable.
When the cause of stomach pain in the morning is a more serious issue, such as conditions like GERD, celiac disease, pancreatitis, appendicitis, gastroenteritis, IBS, IBD, or ulcers, you may require medication and proper treatment. In some of these instances like IBD, you may only be able to manage the symptoms as these issues do not have a permanent cure.
Moreover, issues like gallbladder stones can also cause stomach pain and may require surgery. Getting the right treatment depending on the cause can help relieve stomach pain and make you feel better.
If you want to prevent or treat stomach pain at home, some remedies like ginger and heat compress can help get rid of stomach pain. Maintaining an overall healthy lifestyle helps with preventing and treating stomach pain. Getting a good amount of sleep, a balanced diet, and drinking enough water can help prevent these issues and help recover from the issue causing stomach pain.
Additionally, some foods and drinks like oily food and caffeinated beverages can worsen your stomach pain. These foods may also aggravate your stomach condition, if you have, any, so be careful of what you eat if you have a gastric disease. If you have occasional stomach pain in the morning, it may not be a cause for concern. If it is persistent, you can consult a gastroenterologist in Lahore to determine the cause and rule out anything serious.
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