You might have often heard people saying, ‘Trust your gut!’ it is a conventional statement but this is a statement I swear by.
Another thing I swear by is ‘Trust your stomach’ because it will tell you when something is most definitely wrong with it.
My sister is the only one in my family to have severe stomach and digestive issues, due to which we have shuffled through many gastroenterologists in Lahore until we found ‘the One’.
Stomach disorders are no joke. They are to be taken as seriously as any other issue. They start off small, which most people ignore or don’t give any importance and suddenly in the blink of an eye, the stomach issue has increased two-fold and sometimes three-fold.
After browsing through many doctors and internet research this is what I found a stomach tells you:
You are Bloated
Vegetables are super healthy to consume. They are nutritious and full of fiber and other nutrients. But when you go overboard with the vegetables, they like any excess substance that can cause an uncomfortable and sometimes painful feeling in the stomach.
Bloating occurs when food produces gas in excess amount and hinders the movement of the digestive system muscles. This can also happen due to the excess of carbonated drinks and certain food products.
You might be Lactose Intolerant
You may think that everything is fine and dandy in your stomach but in actuality, you might be lactose intolerant. If you get diarrhea or bloating, after eating a simple grilled cheese or by adding creamer to your coffee, then you probably are lactose intolerant.
Any dairy products can cause this intolerance to flare up causing a severe disturbance in your stomach followed by cramps.
You have Acid Reflux
Most often than not when I eat extremely oily foods, I suffer from heartburn afterward. It is common in most people with everyone having their own trigger foods.
In some cases, acid reflux is the real reason of that burn in the stomach. It can be set off by sometimes as simple as a bar of chocolate. But if the condition is chronic, you know you need to see a doctor.
You are Constipated
A simple way to tell whether a person is constipated or not is to feel their stomach. When you are constipated, the stomach usually becomes stiff and hard as a rock. This can also be a sign of stomach distension.
Another way is to know if a person has had regular bowel movements. If you hadn’t had a bowel movement in 2 days or more than a day, and it is really hard to pass the bowel, then you are constipated.
You have Diarrhea
Sometimes we eat food that upset our stomach so much that the bathroom is the only place we visit for the next few hours. Diarrhea can happen by eating certain foods or by a virus.
If it happens again and again then you most probably have a food intolerance or an underlying condition that has caused chronic diarrhea. Chronic diarrhea is not something to take lightly and needs to be consulted by a doctor immediately.
You have Gastroparesis
Ever felt like you were ravenous a few minutes ago but now that you have had a few bites you are full? Even if you don’t, I know this feeling quite too well.
Gastroparesis is the feeling of fullness after eating a few bites. This also leads to instant vomiting, nausea, and abdominal pain. Since it is a rare condition it can go unseen and undiagnosed for a long time.
Stomach Burn is Real
Stomach burn happens due to indigestion or food intolerance. It can also be a symptom of Gastroesophageal reflux disease also known as GERD. Increased intake of NSAIDs can cause ulcers in the lining of the stomach causing burning pain.
A chronic burning pain means there is an underlying medical condition that needs to be treated and this is not something that happened because you had too much fried chicken. If you have a funny feeling in your stomach, then trust it because that feeling is not lying. An upset stomach can lead to various other conditions if left untreated. And in the matters of the stomach, better be safe than sorry.
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