woman laying down with hurt stomach

Why Does My Stomach Hurt?

Ms. Wanni Z

Written by: Ms. Wanni Z

Updated: April 17th, 2023

*Important: This article is an opinion piece submitted by Wanni, an individual with Inflammatory Bowel Disease. This information should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your physician.

As someone who has been living with IBD for over a decade, abdominal discomfort has unfortunately been a regular part of my day to day living. Upon talking with other people who have IBS or other digestive concerns, I have learned some useful solutions. The below tips and tricks may help you live a more comfortable life with less stomach pain!

Stomach Problem #1- Gas

Gas can be a daily source of discomfort for many. Gas pains can be sharp and pass quickly, or can build up and become very painful, resulting in not being able to move comfortably, pants/clothing becoming too tight, and an expanded abdomen area. For many people, gas pains/excessive gas can be a daily occurrence.

Tips for Gas

Stomach Problem #2- Food Irritation/Diarrhea

Certain foods can cause an upset stomach soon after ingestion. For me personally, skins of fruits, heavy oils or deep fried foods can result in an upset stomach within hours. This can lead to a burning sensation in the left or lower abdomen in intervals of ten to fifteen minutes apart initially, and getting closer and closer in time and intensity, causing urgency to visit the bathroom as soon as possible. 

Tips for Food Irritation/Diarrhea

Stomach Problem #3- Overeating

Overeating or binge eating can cause stress on our digestive systems. Although it may be very tempting to go all out and eat to your heart’s content; smaller but more frequent meals might actually be better for people who have a harder time with digestion. 

Tips for Overeating 

Digestive Problem #4- Hunger

Much like overeating, being hungry or starving for a prolonged period of time can cause our stomachs to hurt. 

Tips for Hunger

Extra Tips & Tricks

Depending on your gut, sometimes foods that are too hot or too cold can cause discomfort. Although sometimes it feels nice to chug a large amount of icy cold drink, it can quickly turn into a shock for our digestive systems and cause stomach upset, diarrhea, etc. I find that it can be helpful to sip slowly on colder beverages, and consumer super hot foods slowly as well so that the temperatures have time to balance before entering our stomachs. 

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