Common Causes of Stomach Pain and Natural Remedies for Them

Your digestive system comprises a complex set of organs and tissues designed to absorb all the essential nutrients you get from your food while eliminating any waste or unused materials. Your entire gastrointestinal tract measures about 30 feet in length when stretched out and includes your mouth, esophagus, stomach, small and large intestines, and rectum.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, chest and stomach pains are the two most common reasons for visits to the emergency room for patients 15 and over. Stomach pains often involve more than just the stomach, encompassing any and all parts of the digestive tract. Let’s take a closer look at some common causes of stomach pain, as well as some natural, holistic remedies to soothe them.

Lactose Intolerance
Lactose is a type of sugar primarily found in milk and other dairy products. While most people do not have a problem with digesting milk, many lack an enzyme known as lactase. This enzyme is produced in the small intestine and helps to break down lactose and promote its regular digestion. You don’t need a lot of lactase to properly digest milk products, but some people lacking lactase entirely may deal with various digestive pains and discomfort after consuming dairy products. This is known as lactose intolerance or lactose malabsorption.

Thankfully, lactose intolerance is generally harmless, though it can present plenty of discomforts, usually in the form of gas, bloating, cramps, and diarrhea after ingestion of anything with dairy. Some people with severe lactose intolerance may experience nausea and vomiting.
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
Gastroesophageal reflux disease refers to the frequent flow of stomach acid traveling back up the stomach into your esophagus, an occurrence known as acid reflux. Normally, stomach acids are sent to the small intestine, but ingesting certain foods or eating too much at once can result in acid reflux. Many people experience acid reflux every so often, but GERD is a more regular condition, occurring a few times per week. Symptoms of GERD include:

Chest pains
Heartburn
Regurgitating food or sour liquids
Difficulties swallowing

Frequent acid reflux at night can also lead to laryngitis, chronic cough, and asthma. That constant backup of stomach acids in your throat irritates your esophagus and may lead to esophageal ulcers and significant changes to your esophageal tissue.
Viral Gastroenteritis
While you probably know it best as the stomach flu, gastroenteritis isn’t actually related to the flu or caused by the influenza virus at all. The real flu affects only your respiratory system. Instead, gastroenteritis is caused by a virus, bacteria, or parasite (most commonly norovirus) that inflames your intestinal lining. Gastroenteritis is the second most common illness in the United States and spreads through contact with an infected person and ingestion of contaminated food or water.

The most common symptoms of gastroenteritis include:

Abdominal pains and cramping
Frequent, watery diarrhea
Vomiting and/or nausea
Headache
Occasional muscle aches
A low-grade fever

For infants, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems, gastroenteritis can potentially be deadly. For others, gastroenteritis should usually pass on its own without too many problems. However, the biggest potential danger with gastroenteritis is dehydration from persistent diarrhea and vomiting.
Celiac Disease
Alternately known as gluten-sensitive enteropathy, celiac sprue, or coeliac, Celiac disease occurs in those who are sensitive to gluten. Gluten is a protein found in barley, rye, and wheat (essentially any bread or grain product). For those with Celiac disease, ingesting gluten triggers an immune response in the small intestine, essentially leading to your immune system hurting your small intestine. Over time, this leads to some serious damage to your small intestine, which can keep you from properly absorbing nutrients in the food you digest.

As you can imagine, that immune response also causes a great deal of stomach pain and discomfort. Celiac disease most commonly results in fatigue, diarrhea, and sudden weight loss. Adults with Celiac disease may also experience constipation, nausea, vomiting, and gas. However, over half of adults diagnosed with Celiac disease present symptoms secondary to malnutrition, including:

Injury to the nervous system which causes neuropathy
Softening of bone (osteomalacia) or reduced bone density (osteoporosis)
Joint pains
Painful, itchy skin rash

Children diagnosed with Celiac disease may suffer problems with growth and development as a result of malabsorption.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
No one actually knows the precise cause of irritable bowel syndrome, but the disease is considered a chronic condition noted by various symptoms involving the digestive system. Irritable bowel syndrome affects up to 15 percent of the worldwide population, making it the most common functional gastrointestinal disorder in the world. Symptoms commonly associated with IBS include stomach pains and cramping, diarrhea, constipation, and excess gas and bloating.

These symptoms can be unpredictable, sometimes getting worse and sometimes disappearing altogether. Certain foods, hormonal changes, and stress can potentially trigger symptoms of IBS. The majority of cases of IBS occur after a viral or bacterial infection of the gut.
Natural and Home Remedies for Stomach Pains
Stomach pains are so diverse and range from generally harmless to potentially fatal. You can help to support your digestive health using a variety of natural remedies, including:

Probiotics – Probiotics are helpful bacteria or yeast primarily found in the lining of your gut. These bacteria may support nutrient absorption, immune function, and general digestive health by limiting the growth of “bad” bacteria that can cause inflammation or irritation. Taking a probiotic supplement or getting probiotics from certain foods (including kimchi, sauerkraut, and other fermented products) can help to maintain your gut health. Taking probiotics reduce the duration of diarrhea and may help constipation. Probiotics do this by reducing inflammation and promoting regular bowel movements. Some studies suggest that probiotics may also be beneficial to those with IBS or lactose intolerance.
Diet changes – Most stomach and digestive problems can be managed with changes to the diet. For example, those with Celiac disease can live full, comfortable lives by removing gluten-products from their diets. In general, maintaining a balanced diet that is low on sweets, processed foods, and other products that are known to cause inflammation can go a long way in improving your digestive health. If you are lactose intolerant, avoid dairy products or consider taking a digestive enzyme supplement that contains lactase which helps break down lactose.
Water – Drinking plenty of water is always a good idea for your general health, but it can also support your digestion. If you have diarrhea or are vomiting, drink plenty of water to reintroduce fluids and prevent dehydration.
Ginger – Used for centuries, ginger has been shown to be an effective natural treatment for various types of stomach pain by acting as a natural inflammatory. Ginger can be consumed as a tea or in the form of a supplement or chew.
Apple cider vinegar – Apple cider vinegar may help to inhibit acid production in the stomach while decreasing starch digestion. This allows more starches to reach your intestines and feed the probiotics, supporting greater digestive health.

DrFormulas™ features a wide range of all-natural supplements that can help to support gut health, allowing for improved absorption of nutrients. You don’t deserve to live with any digestive distress, so try these supplements today.

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