It is disturbing when you wake up with stomach pain, and it is not a pleasant way to start your day. It can cause nausea and a loss of appetite, so you won’t feel like having breakfast, another reason for an unpleasant start to your day.
Stomach pain is a type of abdominal pain that begins somewhere between the ribs and ends around the pelvis. Like most of the other abdominal pains, stomach pain is also felt when you wake up in the morning.
However, such types of pains go away on their own after some time and do not require any serious treatment.
There may be several factors behind the cause of stomach pain. Therefore, it is difficult to diagnose it yourself at home.
In this article, you will learn about various potential factors that can lead to stomach pain in the morning.
Why does your Stomach Pain in the morning?
Stomach pain is related to the morning because, since you sleep at night and wake up in the morning, it is the longest period you go without eating.
As a result, your stomach remains empty and becomes vulnerable to changes in pH. As it becomes acidic, the lining of the stomach is harmed, leading to bloating or pain.
9 Factors Causing Stomach Pain
1. Peptic Ulcer
A peptic ulcer features the development of a sore on the lining or the first part of the small intestine, known as the duodenum. It is a common condition affecting 1-6% of people in the United States.
Peptic ulcers do not feature visible symptoms in many cases. However, some may experience burning pain in the stomach as they wake up in the morning.
Additionally, some accompanying symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, and burping in excess.
This condition can be caused by the excessive use of NSAIDs or bacterial infection.
2. Pregnancy
One factor behind your stomach pain in the morning may be pregnancy. During pregnancy, women feel mild pain in the stomach, commonly known as morning sickness in pregnancy, which irritates when they wake up or get out of bed. It may be due to
- Hormonal changes
- Stretching of ligaments as the bump grows
- Bloating
- Expansion of the womb
- Constipation
It is considered a normal pain, however, if it is intense, you should immediately consult with your doctor.
3. Acid Reflux
Acid reflux is the condition when acid in your stomach comes up into the esophagus, the long organ of the digestive system connecting the pharynx and stomach.
It is responsible for carrying food into the stomach for digestion. When acid flows back into it, it causes discomfort and a burning sensation.
People who often encounter such a situation feel stomach pain in the morning as they lay down flat at night. It is said that not raising your head while lying down and keeping your distance from the foods that might trigger the reflux can bring relief from pain in the morning.
Normally, acid release from the stomach is prevented by a sphincter muscle present at the lower base of the esophagus. Smoking or a bad diet can cause injury to this muscle causing acid reflux.
Acid reflux features the following symptoms:
- Cough
- Bad breadth
- Bloating
- Heartburn
- Sore throat
- Nausea
- Chest pain
Eating more frequently in smaller portions, avoiding overeating, sleeping with an elevated head, or taking some over-the-counter medications can help reduce the symptoms. Also, you should try to avoid lying flat, try lying on your left side.
4. Indigestion
Whether it is morning or other time of the day, indigestion can be the main reason behind stomach pain. Indigestion is a disturbing condition featuring pain in the upper part of the abdomen, accompanied by nausea, blotting, and belching.
Several factors contribute to the onset of this condition, including eating fatty or processed foods, smoking, overeating, alcoholism, or taking some medicines.
5. Anxiety
Whether it is your digestive system or your overall health, mental illness or anxiety can have a huge negative impact on them. In excess, anxiety can disturb the gut bacteria in your body and impair the normal functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. This, as a result, can cause pain in your stomach when you wake up in the morning.
6. Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Inflammatory Bowel Disease is a condition when there is inflammation or swelling in your gastrointestinal tract. IBD is categorized into three types, and all of these lead to stomach pain in the morning. Inflammatory
Bowel Disease is a broad term covering 2 main diseases, i.e., ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. Both these can cause:
- Blood in stools
- Fatigue
- Loss of weight
- Stomach pain
- Diarrhea
- Cramps
7. Food Poisoning
If you eat contaminated food, you are at high risk of developing food poisoning. It is becoming very common nowadays. About 48 million individuals develop food poisoning in the United States.
- Cramps
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Stomach pain
If you diagnose food poisoning, consult your doctor, as it can be alarming. Eat small meals, drink plenty of water, and rest as much as you can.
8. Irritable Bowel Syndrome
It is a chronic disorder affecting the large intestine. The causes of IBS can be intestinal contractions, hypersensitivity of the intestine, disturbances in gut bacteria, and connections between the gut and brain. IBS can cause:
- Impaired bowel movement
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Stomach pain
- Bloating
- Mucus in the stool
Avoiding trigger foods and exercising regularly can help reduce the symptoms.
9. Gastritis
Gastritis is a condition when there is swelling in the lining of your stomach. Overconsumption of alcohol, particular pain relievers, or any infection can contribute to this situation. It causes your stomach to hurt when you wake up, and even more after having breakfast. The symptoms of gastritis may include:
- Stomach pain
- Fullness sensation in your upper abdomen
- Vomiting
- Nausea
Acid blockers, antibiotics, and several proton inhibitors might help cause relief.
How to Treat Morning Stomach Pain?
The treatment of stomach pain depends solely on the cause of the pain. If the pain is mild, it can be cured by taking some over-the-counter medicines. If severe conditions like IBS and IBD are involved, special treatments are required.
Doctors suggest avoiding anti-inflammatory medications or aspirin, which can further irritate the stomach or intestine.
Some common measures to treat stomach pain may include:
- Eat bland foods.
- Limit caffeine or alcohol intake
- Stay hydrated.
- Apply a warm compress on the sore area to relieve swelling and pain
- Take a rest as much as possible
Conclusion
Stomach pain is a very irritating and disturbing pain that is enough to ruin your day. It can be caused by many reasons, which are important to identify.
It is because the cure of a disease is based on its cause. Potent factors can be peptic ulcers, pregnancy, IBD, IBS, gastritis, food poisoning, anxiety, acid reflux, and indigestion.
If you can identify which factor is leading to pain in your stomach, you can take the next step towards its treatment. It might help you get rid of the pain if it is mild. But still, speaking with your doctor is always suggested.
