Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesSoothing Your StomachFoods to EatFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Soothing Your Stomach
Foods to Eat
Frequently Asked Questions
Everyone experiencesstomach discomfortfrom time to time. However, if you frequently feel unwell after eating, you may have a sensitive stomach.
A sensitive stomach can cause unpleasant symptoms such asbloating, abdominal pain, ordiarrheaafter eating.
This article discusses the causes of a sensitive stomach and how to resolve your digestive issues.
BSIP/UIG / Universal Images Group / Getty Images
Signs and symptoms of a sensitive stomach include:
Symptoms can be managed at home without medical treatment. However, if you experience severe symptoms such asbloody stools,hives, itching, severe diarrhea, or fever, contact your healthcare provider right away. These symptoms may indicate an allergic reaction,food poisoning, or another serious health condition.
How Long Food Takes to Digest and Leave the Body
People with sensitive stomachs often notice their symptoms worsen after consuming dairy, fried foods, ultra-processed foods, or spicy foods. Lack of fiber in the diet anddehydrationcan also cause abnormal bowel movements and an upset stomach.
There are a few potential causes of a sensitive stomach.
Food Intolerance
Food intolerances occur when a person has difficulty digesting certain foods. Unlike afood allergy, food intolerance is not life-threatening. There is no cure for food intolerances. However, some people with a dairy intolerance may be able to take the digestive enzymelactaseto help them digestlactose, the sugar found in milk and dairy.
IBS and IBD
Some people with IBS may have an increased pain sensation when normal amounts of stool or gas are in their intestines. Abdominal contractions may also cause food to move too fast or too slowly through the digestive tract causing constipation or diarrhea.
Other Causes
There are several other conditions that could cause a sensitive stomach. These include:
IBS is the most common diagnosis among gastroenterologists. It is more common among women than men.
How to Soothe Your Stomach
If you suffer from a sensitive stomach, there are some natural remedies you can try to help alleviate symptoms.
Eliminate Trigger Foods
If you notice a particular food always causes discomfort, you may find it helpful to remove it from your diet. Consider keeping afood diaryto record what foods you are eating, your symptoms, and other factors that may affect your symptoms, such as stress.
Anelimination dietmay also be beneficial to help you pinpoint foods that you’re sensitive to. It involves removing potential food triggers from your diet for a short period and gradually reintroducing each to identify which food is causing your symptoms.
Common trigger foods that may irritate a sensitive stomach include:
Elimination diets can be very restrictive. Work with a registered dietitian to ensure your vitamin and mineral needs are met before starting an elimination diet.
Consume a Balanced Diet
Aim to eat a well-balanced diet that includes fresh fruits and vegetables, lean protein, and fiber-rich whole grains. This will ensure you get a wide range of nutrients to support your overall health.
Although fiber benefits your digestive health, if you have a sensitive stomach you may experience bloating or gas after consumingtoo much fiber. Your healthcare provider or dietitian may ask you to limit fiber in your diet or temporarily avoid high-fiber foods to see if symptoms improve.
Drink Enough Water
Inadequate fluid intake is one of the most common causes of constipation.Dehydration can cause your body to draw out water from your stool. This can result inhard stoolsthat are difficult to pass.
Limit Caffeine and Alcohol
Drinking alcohol in excess can also irritate your stomach and cause swelling and inflammation of the stomach lining.If you consume high amounts of caffeine or alcohol, consider limiting your intake to see if you notice symptom improvement.
Best Foods for a Sensitive Stomach
Bland foods are often helpful to soothe a sensitive stomach. Foods that can help calm your stomach include:
Summary
A Word From Verywell
Frequently Asked QuestionsGenerally, if it’s been over three days since you’ve had a bowel movement, you may consider at-home treatment options to help you go.Learn MoreTreatment of ConstipationA person with a sensitive stomach may experience diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, or gas after eating trigger foods.Eating a well-balanced diet with adequate fiber, reducing emotional stress, and limiting foods that cause discomfort can help strengthen your digestive system.
Generally, if it’s been over three days since you’ve had a bowel movement, you may consider at-home treatment options to help you go.Learn MoreTreatment of Constipation
Generally, if it’s been over three days since you’ve had a bowel movement, you may consider at-home treatment options to help you go.
Learn MoreTreatment of Constipation
A person with a sensitive stomach may experience diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, or gas after eating trigger foods.
Eating a well-balanced diet with adequate fiber, reducing emotional stress, and limiting foods that cause discomfort can help strengthen your digestive system.
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Johns Hopkins.Lactose intolerance.Johns Hopkins.Irritable bowel syndrome.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms and causes of IBS.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.What is IBD?Chron’s and Colitis Foundation.IBS vs IBD.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms and causes of constipation.Michigan Health.Energy drinks, caffeine, and your digestion.Johns Hopkins.Gastritis.
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Johns Hopkins.Lactose intolerance.Johns Hopkins.Irritable bowel syndrome.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms and causes of IBS.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.What is IBD?Chron’s and Colitis Foundation.IBS vs IBD.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms and causes of constipation.Michigan Health.Energy drinks, caffeine, and your digestion.Johns Hopkins.Gastritis.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Johns Hopkins.Lactose intolerance.Johns Hopkins.Irritable bowel syndrome.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms and causes of IBS.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.What is IBD?Chron’s and Colitis Foundation.IBS vs IBD.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms and causes of constipation.Michigan Health.Energy drinks, caffeine, and your digestion.Johns Hopkins.Gastritis.
Johns Hopkins.Lactose intolerance.
Johns Hopkins.Irritable bowel syndrome.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms and causes of IBS.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.What is IBD?
Chron’s and Colitis Foundation.IBS vs IBD.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms and causes of constipation.
Michigan Health.Energy drinks, caffeine, and your digestion.
Johns Hopkins.Gastritis.
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