Upset Stomach Information and Tips

Click here to learn more about a safe, natural upset stomach treatment

What is an upset stomach?

An upset stomach (often also called stomach upset) causes the feeling of nausea. Nausea usually makes people want to throw up (vomit). When vomiting, the contents of the stomach are forced up through the esophagus, out of the mouth.

An upset stomach is our body’s way to react to invaders and irritants in the stomach. The process of vomiting is nothing else but ejecting unwanted invaders from the stomach. That is also why it is important to let a person vomit if he or she has to. Vomiting is the stomach’s way of protecting our body from more serious conditions, such as poisoning.

The feeling of nausea that eventually leads to vomiting can be caused by many various triggers, for example in the mouth, stomach or intestines. Also the bloodstream may contain triggers that lead to nausea. Sometimes even sights, smells and just thinking about something disgusting or frightening can cause our stomach to vomit its contents. In this case the triggers would be found in the brain.

Another cause for nausea can be motion sickness. Motion sickness is always related to the balancing system in the ear. 

What are the symptoms?

The symptoms are

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Dehydration (if dehydration is observed please call your doctor)
• Stomach Pain

The symptoms for dehydration are increased thirst, a dry mouth, sunken eyes or crying without tears.

What causes an upset stomach with stomach pain?

The causes for an up set stomach with nausea, vomiting and stomach pain can be

• Virus infection
• Food poisoning
• Certain medications
• Motion sickness
• Migraine
• Pregnancy (morning sickness)
• Alcoholism

What can be the cause of a chronic or constant up set stomach?

A chronic or constant up set stomach can be caused by a food allergy. The immune system mistakenly believes that the food you ate is a harmful substance. Your body then produces antibodies to the food which cause the allergic reaction with stomach pain each time you consume it.

What can I do?

Lying down and rest will surely help. The most important thing however, especially when vomiting is included, is to stay hydrated. Even though it might be hard to keep anything in the body at that point patients can try to drink only small amounts of liquids, but steadily. Avoid drinking too much too fast. Water, fruit teas and electrolyte solutions work best. Only after 6-7 hours of no vomiting it is allowed to eat some solid food again. After a day you can slowly start eating bland food, like cooked oatmeal, bananas, dry bread or rice. Absolutely avoid spicy or greasy food.

If the vomiting continues for more than 24 hours and the patient is not able to contain any fluids in the body for more than 12 hours, or gets worse see a doctor or call 911.  Also, if there is the possibility of poisoning, especially of a child, call 911.

Other serious signs are a stiff neck and a headache, blood in the vomit or a severe abdominal pain. Also if the nausea persists in a person that is not pregnant it is necessary to see a doctor.

In case of a chronic upset stomach with constant stomach pain, it may be helpful to keep a “food diary” to find out what food or food groups you might be allergic to.

Besides those first aid tips, there are also various treatments available. Especially when suffering from a constant or chronic upset in connection with stomach pain it is necessary to look for the right treatment.

Click here to learn more about a safe, natural treatment for upset stomachs that has helped thousands of people, even for chronic or constant stomach problems.