Unpleasant sensations often occur in the upper part of the abdomen but can affect the entire abdominal cavity. Most often, a person experiences discomfort after eating—especially if the meal was heavy. This happens when consuming many acidic or spicy dishes, legumes, cabbage and other foods that provoke gas formation and disrupt stomach acidity. Nutritionists also assert that quick snacks are very harmful to stomach health. Food should be thoroughly chewed, as inadequately processed food lingers longer in the gastrointestinal tract and negatively affecting a person’s health. If stomach discomforts persist for a long time, it may indicate serious internal organ pathologies. The factors provoking this unpleasant symptom can be divided into two groups:
Functional factors — external factors related to dietary habits and lifestyle that do not indicate gastrointestinal tract pathologies. These include:
- overeating, frequent consumption of fast food and other unhealthy products, eating “on the go”;
- food allergies;
- food poisoning;
- alcohol abuse — many people experience stomach heaviness after festive events;
- use of strong medications;
- frequent stress.
Organic factors — internal factors associated with various pathologies. These include:
- gastritis;
- polyetiological chronic pathology;
- gallbladder pathologies;
- liver diseases;
- hernias;
- benign and malignant tumors.
If you are experiencing persistent heaviness in the stomach, you should schedule an appointment with a specialist. The doctor will conduct a detailed assessment and prescribe the necessary examinations, which may include:
- gastroscopy — if necessary, with biopsy and subsequent histological examination;
- abdominal ultrasound;
- coprogram (stool analysis);
- biochemical blood analysis.
After identifying the cause, the specialist will prescribe the appropriate treatment. For example, if the discomfort is caused by gastritis or peptic ulcer disease, the doctor may prescribe medications such as Rebagen or Parit to help alleviate your condition. However, in some cases, medication alone may not resolve the heaviness. This is especially true if the heaviness is associated with tumors, adhesions, hernias, etc. An equally important aspect of treatment is diet. Patients are advised to avoid fatty dishes, legumes, fast food, spicy and salty products. Instead of three large meals, it is recommended to eating smaller portions 5-6 times a day.
Also, try to avoid stressful situations, as nervous tension directly affects the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. To manage stress and normalize your psychological state, use relaxation practices, meditation, or yoga. For example, in yoga, there are specific exercise complexes that help reduce muscle tension in the stomach and improve lymphatic and blood circulation in the abdominal organs. Proper breathing during exercises strengthens intra-abdominal pressure and stimulates the secretory function of the digestive tract.