Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesTreatmentComplicationsWhen to See a Healthcare Provider
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Treatment
Complications
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Nervous stomach every now and then is no cause for concern. If you’re experiencing ongoing symptoms, you may want to consider seeing a healthcare provider.
This article will explain common symptoms of nervous stomach, what causes it, and when to see a healthcare provider.
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List of Common Gastrointestinal Diseases
Symptoms of Nervous Stomach
Common nervous stomach symptoms:
What Does Stress Stomach Pain Feel Like?
Causes of Nervous Stomach
Common causes of nervous stomach include emotional distress such as stress or anxiety. In most cases, a nervous stomach isn’t anything to worry about. It will come and go.
Causes of nervous stomach include:
Peptic UlcersPeptic ulcers can be a cause of nervous stomach symptoms and a result of untreated nervous stomach.
Peptic Ulcers
Peptic ulcers can be a cause of nervous stomach symptoms and a result of untreated nervous stomach.
What Medications Can Cause Nervous Stomach?
Over-the-counter and prescription medications may cause a nervous stomach as a side effect. This can happen when taking a single medication or more than one medication simultaneously. It may also occur in people with ingredient sensitivities or other medical conditions.This is why it’s always important to consult and update a healthcare provider on your current list of medications (including over-the-counter medications).
Some medications may irritate the stomach, while others can cause constipation or diarrhea leading to discomfort and nervous stomach symptoms.
Common medications that may cause stomach side effect symptoms include:
What to Know About Prescription Anti-Inflammatory Medications
How to Treat Nervous Stomach
The method of treating nervous stomach will depend upon the cause. Nervous stomach that occurs infrequently may benefit from over-the-counter remedies to calm the stomach or lifestyle changes to reduce stress.
The following are tips for reducing stress and anxiety to help with nervous stomach:
Medical Treatments for Nervous StomachIf you or a loved one may benefit from additional support, you may want to discuss the following treatment options with a healthcare provider:Antidepressant treatment for nervous stomach or irritable bowel syndromeCognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for stress-relief and learning how to cope with anxietyMedical hypnotherapy
Medical Treatments for Nervous Stomach
If you or a loved one may benefit from additional support, you may want to discuss the following treatment options with a healthcare provider:Antidepressant treatment for nervous stomach or irritable bowel syndromeCognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for stress-relief and learning how to cope with anxietyMedical hypnotherapy
If you or a loved one may benefit from additional support, you may want to discuss the following treatment options with a healthcare provider:
If nervous stomach is a side effect from medication or certain foods, your healthcare provider can make suggestions about effective treatment which may include transitioning to another medication option that is easier on the stomach or seeing a dietician.
Nutrition With Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Complications Associated With Nervous Stomach
The Anxiety and Depression Association of America says the types of chemicals that are released when a person is stressed have a negative effect on gut health. This creates imbalances known to be risk factors for digestive conditions.
A nervous stomach may resolve on its own. But there are certain signs and symptoms that it’s time to see a healthcare provider. If you discuss your symptoms, the healthcare provider may order routine lab tests to check for underlying causes likeanemia.
See a healthcare provider for nervous stomach immediately if you notice the following:
If you have family history of digestive disorders or digestive cancers such as stomach cancer or colon cancer, this is helpful information for a healthcare provider.
You may be referred to agastroenterologist (digestive disorder and disease specialist)and/or a mental healthcare provider such as a counselor or psychiatrist, depending on your overall symptoms and family medical history.
11 Signs It’s Time to See a Gastroenterologist
Summary
A nervous stomach is usually nothing to worry about. Symptoms include indigestion, feeling “butterflies” or a gut-wrenching feeling. Causes of nervous stomach include underlying psychological and physical health conditions and certain medications and lifestyle factors. If you experience chronic or ongoing symptoms, see a healthcare provider. Treatments include medication, therapy, and lifestyle changes.
A Word From Verywell
Living with a nervous stomach takes a toll over time. If you experience stress and anxiety about how your stomach will react to certain people, places, and things, it doesn’t mean anything is wrong with you. Speaking with a healthcare provider about your full range of symptoms can help them help you.
6 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.Anxiety and Depression Association of America.How to calm an anxious stomach: The brain-gut connection.Foster JA , McVey Neufeld.Gut-brain axis: How the microbiome influences anxiety and depression.Trends in Neurosciences.2013;36(5):305-312. doi:10.1016/j.tins.2013.01.005University of Chicago Medical Center.Stress and stomach pain: When should you see a specialist?Fadgyas-Stanculete M, Buga AM, Popa-Wagner A, Dumitrascu DL.The relationship between irritable bowel syndrome and psychiatric disorders: From molecular changes to clinical manifestations.J Mol Psychiatry. 2014;2(1):4. doi:10.1186/2049-9256-2-4Ness-Jensen E, Lagergren J.Tobacco smoking, alcohol consumption and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.Best Practice & Research Clinical Gastroenterology. 2017;31(5):501-508. doi:10.1016/j.bpg.2017.09.004Johns Hopkins Medicine.Medicines and the digestive system.
6 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.Anxiety and Depression Association of America.How to calm an anxious stomach: The brain-gut connection.Foster JA , McVey Neufeld.Gut-brain axis: How the microbiome influences anxiety and depression.Trends in Neurosciences.2013;36(5):305-312. doi:10.1016/j.tins.2013.01.005University of Chicago Medical Center.Stress and stomach pain: When should you see a specialist?Fadgyas-Stanculete M, Buga AM, Popa-Wagner A, Dumitrascu DL.The relationship between irritable bowel syndrome and psychiatric disorders: From molecular changes to clinical manifestations.J Mol Psychiatry. 2014;2(1):4. doi:10.1186/2049-9256-2-4Ness-Jensen E, Lagergren J.Tobacco smoking, alcohol consumption and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.Best Practice & Research Clinical Gastroenterology. 2017;31(5):501-508. doi:10.1016/j.bpg.2017.09.004Johns Hopkins Medicine.Medicines and the digestive system.
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.
Anxiety and Depression Association of America.How to calm an anxious stomach: The brain-gut connection.Foster JA , McVey Neufeld.Gut-brain axis: How the microbiome influences anxiety and depression.Trends in Neurosciences.2013;36(5):305-312. doi:10.1016/j.tins.2013.01.005University of Chicago Medical Center.Stress and stomach pain: When should you see a specialist?Fadgyas-Stanculete M, Buga AM, Popa-Wagner A, Dumitrascu DL.The relationship between irritable bowel syndrome and psychiatric disorders: From molecular changes to clinical manifestations.J Mol Psychiatry. 2014;2(1):4. doi:10.1186/2049-9256-2-4Ness-Jensen E, Lagergren J.Tobacco smoking, alcohol consumption and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.Best Practice & Research Clinical Gastroenterology. 2017;31(5):501-508. doi:10.1016/j.bpg.2017.09.004Johns Hopkins Medicine.Medicines and the digestive system.
Anxiety and Depression Association of America.How to calm an anxious stomach: The brain-gut connection.
Foster JA , McVey Neufeld.Gut-brain axis: How the microbiome influences anxiety and depression.Trends in Neurosciences.2013;36(5):305-312. doi:10.1016/j.tins.2013.01.005
University of Chicago Medical Center.Stress and stomach pain: When should you see a specialist?
Fadgyas-Stanculete M, Buga AM, Popa-Wagner A, Dumitrascu DL.The relationship between irritable bowel syndrome and psychiatric disorders: From molecular changes to clinical manifestations.J Mol Psychiatry. 2014;2(1):4. doi:10.1186/2049-9256-2-4
Ness-Jensen E, Lagergren J.Tobacco smoking, alcohol consumption and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.Best Practice & Research Clinical Gastroenterology. 2017;31(5):501-508. doi:10.1016/j.bpg.2017.09.004
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Medicines and the digestive system.
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