Tightness in stomach

Tightness in stomach is one of the most common conditions that follow stomach pain, stomach cramping and swollen stomach. It is very difficult to define it precisely, since every person experiences it differently.

Causes of tightness in stomach

There are many reasons that are responsible for the occurrence of the feeling of tightness in the stomach and one of the causes refers to the poor diet and bad eating habits. This condition usually occurs in those people who frequently tend to overeat. Furthermore, there are certain kinds of foods that may induce tightness in the belly, such as hot, oily and spicy foods. The abdominal tightness may be also felt when one eats late at the night, or in the middle of the night. The second cause of the stomach tightness is constipation, which refers to the rare bowel movements marked by dry and hard stools. Constipation manifests itself through tightness in the stomach, bloating, gas and headaches.

Diarrhea may also cause belly tightness and it is a condition when watery stools occur. The symptoms of diarrhea usually include tightness in the stomach, loose stools, headaches, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain, as well as fever and blood in stools. One of the common causes for the occurrence of tightness in the stomach is pregnancy in women, and since during this period the level of hormone progesterone is increased, it causes slow digestion and tightness in the stomach. Trauma or injury to the stomach may lead to the straining of the muscles in the stomach and consequently, to the feeling of tightness in the stomach. Irritable bowel syndrome may also be responsible for the stomach tightness. This condition is a gastrointestinal disorder that occurs when the large intestine does not function properly. Irritable bowel syndrome has several symptoms apart from the tightness in the stomach and these are nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain diarrhea, constipation and gas.

Treatment of tightness in stomach

In order to treat tightness in the stomach properly, it is important to establish the underlying cause first. For example, if poor diet and bad eating habits causes it, then the person who suffers from tightness in the stomach should consume diet rich in fiber and eat in small amounts several times a day. Furthermore, drinking fluids and water as much as possible is highly recommended. Broccoli, potatoes, yogurt, flaxseed, almonds, honey, aloe vera, and prune juice are recommended when tightness in the stomach is induced by constipation and gas. On the other hand, when diarrhea causes tightness in stomach, foods such as banana, rice and applesauce should be consumed. To treat tightness in stomach caused by irritable bowel syndrome, it is important to consume foods rich in magnesium, vitamin B and folic acid.