Do you also often get stomachaches? (Stomachache) Let's talk about this!

Oh, this stomach ache is a problem that affects everyone, young and old, right? Sometimes, a stomach ache wakes you up in the middle of the night. Even if you hug a pillow and beat it, the pain is still the same in the morning. "Mom/Dad, my stomach hurts!" You've probably said countless times. So, today, let's talk about this stomach ache, why it happens, what causes it, and how to get rid of it.

What is a stomach ache? Why do we get them?

Simply put, pain is a way of letting us know that something is going on inside our bodies . A stomach ache tells us that something is wrong inside our bodies and that we need to look into it. Sometimes the cause of a stomach ache is easy to find. Think of it like someone hitting their stomach or eating spoiled food. But sometimes it's a little harder to find the cause, because there are so many things inside our stomachs.

Now, when you have a stomach ache, it could be a problem with your stomach organ, but that's not always the case. Your "abdomen" isn't just your stomach or your intestines. It's your chest and the entire area between your hip bones. Inside this abdominal cavity are many important organs, such as your liver, pancreas, kidneys, and uterus (in girls). So, a problem with any of these organs can feel like a stomach ache. That's why it's important to find out exactly what's going on.

What are the different causes of stomach upset?

There are various reasons why stomach upsets occur. Let's take a look at what they are.

Due to constipation

Constipation is a common cause of constipation in children and adults alike. If you haven't had a bowel movement in a few days, or if you have difficulty passing stools, or if your stools are very hard, you may be constipated. This can feel like a full stomach or a stomach ache.

• Why does this happen? Not eating enough fiber (fruits, vegetables, and legumes), drinking too little water, and not getting enough exercise can all cause constipation.
• What to do? Drink plenty of water, eat foods high in fiber, and get into the habit of going to the bathroom every day.

Diarrhea or "Stomach Flu" conditions

Diarrhea is also a very common cause of stomach upset. Some people also call it "stomach flu." It is actually most often caused by a viral infection. But it can also be caused by a bacterial infection.

• What are the symptoms? When you have diarrhea – meaning loose, watery stools – you may experience nausea, vomiting, body aches, and possibly fever. This stomach pain is really your body telling you, "Get a bathroom nearby!"
• Most importantly: When you have diarrhea, you lose a lot of water and salts from your body, which can lead to dehydration . So, you should drink plenty of fluids like Jeevani, porridge water, and orange juice.

Food and drink related problems

Stomach upset can also be caused by what you eat and drink.

• Overeating: Eating too much at once can cause stomach discomfort and pain.
• Spicy, oily foods: Some people may experience stomach irritation and gastritis when they eat spicy, oily foods.
• Spoiled food: Eating food that has been left out in the fridge for a long time or has gone bad can cause food poisoning, causing stomach upset, vomiting, and diarrhea.
• Food intolerance: Some people have difficulty digesting certain foods. We call this 'food intolerance' . For example, people with lactose intolerance have difficulty digesting lactose, a sugar found in milk and milk products. Consuming such foods can cause bloating, gas, and stomach cramps.
• Food allergy: This is different from food intolerance , and can sometimes be very dangerous. In a food allergy, our immune system reacts against a protein in the food and damages the body. In addition to stomach upset, this can also cause severe symptoms such as skin rashes, difficulty breathing, and facial swelling. A person with a food allergy should always avoid the food in question.

Appendicitis is a dangerous condition.

This is something to be concerned about. If the pain starts near your belly button and gradually moves down to the right side of your abdomen, it could be appendicitis .

Symptoms of Appendicitis:

* Severe pain that starts around the belly button and moves down to the right side.

* Fever.

* Vomiting.

* Loss of appetite.

* The pain is increasing.

This is an emergency and you should see a doctor immediately. This is because a part of the small intestine called the appendix can become infected and rupture, which can be dangerous.

Other infections and health problems

• Urinary Tract Infection (UTI): Common, especially among girls. It can cause burning when urinating, frequent urination, and lower abdominal pain.
• Intestinal obstruction: This is also an emergency. Symptoms may include severe abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and flatulence.
• Heartburn/Gastritis: Heartburn and upper abdominal pain can occur due to stomach acid coming up into the throat.
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): This is a chronic condition that can cause alternating episodes of abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea.
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): This is also a chronic inflammatory condition of the intestines. It includes two types of diseases called Crohn's disease and Ulcerative colitis. Symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhea (sometimes bloody), and weight loss.
• An infection elsewhere in the body: Sometimes a sore throat, pneumonia , ear infection, or cough can also cause stomach upset. In such cases, stomach discomfort may also occur along with the main symptoms.

Stress and stomach upset

Did you know that many children (and adults!) get a stomachache called a "nervous stomach" when they are anxious, scared, or stressed? This means that the pressure in their minds comes out as an upset stomach.

• For example: When an exam is approaching, when you have to move to a new school, or when you have a problem at home, some people may experience stomach aches, nausea, or bloating. This is due to the connection between our brain and gut system (gut-brain axis).

How does a doctor find the cause of stomach pain?

When you go to see a doctor with a stomach ache, he/she will first ask you a few questions:

• Where is the pain?
• What kind of pain is it? (Is it throbbing, aching, stabbing?)
• Since when?
• Is it better before or after eating?
• Are there any other symptoms? (such as fever, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation)
• How are your eating habits?
• How are your bowel habits?

Then they will examine you. They will feel your stomach, listen to your breathing, and may order blood tests, urine tests, stool tests , or an ultrasound scan .

After all of this, the doctor may give you some medication or give you special advice about eating and drinking to help your body heal.

If you are suddenly diagnosed with appendicitis , you will need to undergo an operation called an appendectomy . This is to remove the infected appendix. Don't worry, it's a common surgery.

If your stomach problems are caused by stress , your doctor may refer you to a specialist, such as a psychologist or counselor. These specialists can help you identify the cause of your stress and give you ideas for how to resolve or cope with the problems.

What can we do to prevent stomach upset?

"Prevention is better than cure," they say. So, it's very important to follow these habits to prevent stomach upset:

• Don't eat a lot at once: Eat small amounts, several times a day, rather than eating to your full stomach.
• Eat fiber-rich foods: To keep your bowel movements regular, eat plenty of fiber-rich foods, such as fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains.
• Drink plenty of water: Drink at least 8 glasses of water a day, preferably pure water.
• Hand hygiene: Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before eating and after using the toilet. This can prevent many infections.
• Don't eat right before bed: Eat dinner at least 2-3 hours before going to bed. Don't fall asleep while eating.
• Get enough sleep: Don't let your body get tired, get enough sleep. Young children need at least 8-10 hours of sleep a day.
• Exercise: Getting a little exercise every day is good for bowel function and overall health.
• Avoid spoiled food: Check the expiration date on food and do not eat suspicious food.

Finally, the most important thing to remember!

So, finally, if you have a stomachache, definitely tell an adult at home . Tell your mom, dad, or someone who takes care of you. Even though it may seem like a minor problem, sometimes it can be a sign of something serious. So it's wise to see a doctor and get advice.

Don't worry, most stomach problems are easily diagnosed and treated! The most important thing is to recognize the symptoms and seek treatment in a timely manner.

Take care of your gut health. Because a healthy gut is a good start to a healthy life!

` Stomachache, stomach ache, abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, appendicitis