Is your stomach feeling heavy? — Understanding Heaviness In Stomach and What You Can Do

Ever felt like skipping a meal because your stomach feels too full? There are times when you might feel this way even if you haven’t eaten a heavy meal or when your stomach is relatively empty. This constant feeling of fullness is called heaviness in the stomach. If your stomach feels heavy all the time, you must investigate why. Let’s take a look at some of the possible reasons for stomach heaviness.

Ever felt like skipping a meal because your stomach feels too full? Sometimes you might feel this way even if you haven’t eaten a heavy meal or when your stomach is relatively empty. This constant feeling of fullness is called heaviness in stomach. If your stomach feels heavy all the time, you must investigate why. Let’s take a look at some of the possible reasons for stomach heaviness.

TEMPORARY CAUSES

A lot of factors can lead to heaviness in your stomach.

Food habits: Overeating, eating hastily and eating when stressed can make your stomach feel tight or uncomfortably heavy. Certain types of foods like those that are high in fibre, high-sugar and fatty foods and carbonated drinks, can also cause heaviness in your stomach.

Indigestion: The inability to digest food effectively, known as indigestion, can lead to a feeling of heaviness in the stomach. Its causes include bad eating habits, spicy foods, alcohol and health complications like intestinal blockages or gallstones.

Constipation: If you’re passing less than 3 bowel movements a week or experiencing pain while doing so, you could be constipated. A heavy feeling in the lower abdomen is a symptom of constipation. You might also feel bloated and nauseous. If you’re suffering from constipation, you could try these home remedies.

CHRONIC CAUSES OF HEAVINESS IN STOMACH

If you are eating healthy food and do not experience any of the above issues, you may ask yourself why stomach feels heavy despite being so careful.

Here are some chronic causes of heaviness in stomach:

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

Bloating and discomfort are two symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). People with IBS also encounter -

• Abdominal cramps and pain
• Constipation, diarrhoea, or both
• Incomplete bowel movement

IBS can be brought on by many factors and can, in turn, lead to many discomforts. These are:

• Gastrointestinal bacterial infections: When the small intestine's gut flora overgrows, it can result in small intestinal bacterial overgrowth.
• Food sensitivities and intolerances
• Experienced trauma, anxiety, or depression in the past

Dietary modifications, stress management techniques, and the treatment of mental health issues are possible IBS remedies. To help someone manage their symptoms, doctors may also recommend medication.

Stomach Ulcers

When the lining of the stomach gets damaged, painful sores called ulcers to develop on it. Stomach ulcers can cause you to feel bloated and full all the time.

Helicobacter pylori bacterium can harm the stomach lining and result in stomach ulcers. Long-term use of NSAIDs or the uncommon disorder Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, which causes tumours to develop in the upper small intestine, can also result in stomach ulcers.

Stomach discomfort that is dull or searing is the most typical sign of an ulcer. The discomfort could start while the stomach is empty and last for days, weeks, or even months. These are some other signs of a stomach ulcer:

• Bloating/burping
• Low appetite, vomiting, and malnutrition
• Sudden weight loss

The type of treatment for a stomach ulcer depends on what causes it. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), antibiotics, and antacids are among the possible medical recommendations.

Gastroparesis

Gastric emptying is delayed by the disorder known as gastroparesis. This explains why stomach feels heavy even if its contents do not normally empty into the small intestine. These signs include:

• Feeling satiated soon
• Nausea or vomiting
• Bloating, belching
• Prolonged fullness after eating
• Upper stomach discomfort
• Heartburn
• Reduced appetite

This condition may be treated with:

• Making it a habit to walk for a while after meals
• Reducing intake of fat and fibre-rich foods
• Reducing portions and increasing the frequency of eating
• Avoiding carbonated and alcoholic beverages
• Avoid lying down soon after a meal. Go to sleep only after 2 hours of having a meal.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

People may have gastroesophageal reflux disease if they regularly experience persistent acid reflux or heartburn (GERD). The following signs and symptoms are present in GERD sufferers:

• Nausea or vomiting
• A burning ache in the upper abdomen or chest
• Bad breath
• Respiratory problems swallowing difficulties
• Teeth that are deteriorating

Numerous factors can contribute to GERD, such as pregnancy-related increased stomach pressure, obesity, a hiatal hernia, smoking, and some drugs. Finding solutions to feel better might be made possible by understanding the GERD causes. Some recommendations are:

• Managing weight
• Avoiding GERD trigger foods like alcohol and spicy food
• Eating at least three hours before bed
• Giving up smoking

Medications like antacids, H2 blockers, prokinetics, or PPIs may also be prescribed by doctors.

Other causes for heaviness in stomach

Besides the temporary and chronic causes mentioned above, there could be other causes why stomach feels heavy. Some of these are:

• Bloating could be a premenstrual syndrome that many of them experience
• Swelling of the stomach lining or gastritis
• Pain in the upper abdomen caused by pancreatitis.

DIAGNOSIS & TREATMENT

The treatment options for stomach heaviness depend on the cause of it. Your treating doctor will examine your food habits, lifestyle and any other underlying conditions and suggest changes or medications you may require. The latter could include antacids and anti-flatulence and medications. You could also be asked to undergo tests like endoscopy, colonoscopy, sonography or a CT scan of your stomach.

HOME REMEDIES

Certain home remedies could provide relief from stomach heaviness. These include

Baking soda: Baking soda is a natural antacid. It helps treat heartburn and bloating by neutralizing stomach acid. Dissolve a teaspoon of baking soda in one glass of cold water and drink the mixture slowly.

Chamomile tea: Chamomile’s anti-inflammatory and anti-spasmodic properties help soothe several stomach conditions like gas, bloating, indigestion and diarrhoea.

Peppermint: Peppermint has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties that provide relief for digestive issues like gas, bloating and indigestion. (2)

Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV): The acids in our stomach aid in the digestive process. But an unhealthy lifestyle or poor diet can cause the acid levels in our stomach to drop. Apple cider vinegar supplements stomach acid and boosts digestion. Setu Apple Cider Vinegar Gummies contain pure, unfiltered ACV. These supplements balance your stomach pH and improve your gut health.

Antacids: It has been demonstrated that antacids can reduce digestive tract irritation and facilitate simpler gastric emptying. Simethicone, an active component of several antacids, helps pass gas by clumping together tiny gas bubbles. Simethicone can be purchased separately as well.

Magnesium supplements: assist in relaxing the gut muscles and neutralising stomach acid. Magnesium has a natural laxative effect that can be occasionally useful but can become habit-forming if used excessively.

Probiotics: Your gut bacteria can be augmented or rebalanced with probiotics. Some will improve the way you digest your food, while others might aid in the absorption of more gas. To see an improvement, you might need to take them consistently for a few days or weeks.

Psyllium husks: These are well-liked fibre supplements that might encourage more frequent bowel movements. Always add fibre supplements gradually and drink a lot of water. As needed, over-the-counter laxatives can also be taken.

Regular exercise: Abdominal bloating can be fought with consistent training that emphasises core body strengthening.

If you feel full too often, you must start by rethinking your diet. Eat fibre-rich foods and foods that beat bloating. Undergo regular detoxes to cleanse your system and gut. Make sure you get an adequate amount of exercise, at least 30 minutes of light exercise per day. If you still have issues with stomach heaviness, it is best to see your doctor to trace the possibility that you have other underlying health conditions.

SYMPTOMS

Stomach heaviness can commence right after finishing a meal and can last through the day. It might be accompanied by sleepiness and lethargy. One may also experience heaviness in stomach, pain, bloating, heartburn, changes in bowel movement and gas.

Heaviness in stomach could be due to a sedentary lifestyle, eating habits, and diet. If not for these reasons and your stomach feels heavy constantly otherwise, then there could be an underlying medical condition.

When should you consult a doctor?

If your stomach feels heavy or bloated constantly and you find no relief despite treatments, then it could be something serious. If there are persisting symptoms like the ones mentioned below, you should see a doctor immediately.

• Unreasonable weight loss
• Unexpected changes in bowel movements or urination
• Constant feeling of heaviness and bloating
• Low backache
• Fever
• Chills
• Blood in the stool or rectum bleeding
• Persisting uneasiness or soreness in the abdomen
• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Respiratory issues.

Conclusion

A person may get relief from heaviness in stomach by altering their eating patterns and nutrition. When constipation or indigestion is the cause of the bloating, OTC remedies may help with symptoms.

The person may have an underlying health condition if they frequently feel uncomfortable and full for no apparent reason, such as after eating a substantial meal. A doctor can identify the underlying issue and make therapy recommendations.

FAQS

1) When should I see a doctor for stomach heaviness?

Seek urgent medical attention if you’re experiencing symptoms like weight loss, shortness of breath, blood in your vomit, black stools, trouble swallowing food and fatigue.

2) What foods must be avoided to get rid of stomach heaviness?

Fatty and greasy foods, spicy foods, caffeine, chocolate and carbonated beverages can cause heaviness in the stomach. Additionally avoid leaving long gaps between meals, eating in haste and overeating.

3) Can medications cause my stomach to feel heavy?

Certain antibiotics, pain relievers and iron supplements can cause your stomach to feel heavy. Do not start self-medicating without taking the advice of your doctor. If the medications prescribed by your doctor are making you feel full or bloated, bring this to your doctor’s attention. (4)

4) How to differentiate between bloating and gas?

Bloating is when your abdomen or the abdominal area feels tight, and full, and has the appearance of being large or inflated. It might happen after eating, drinking, or when you have too much gas.

5) Are bloating and pain due to gas the same?

Your body exhales gas through the rectum or mouth (belching). Gas can occasionally become stuck in the stomach. Abdominal pain and bloating are brought on by this gas buildup (a swollen or tight feeling).