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Upset Stomach Symptoms

Dr. Sumaiya Khan
An upset stomach is one of the most common symptoms, seen in relation to various diseases. Read on to know all about the various causes and factors that can influence upset stomach symptoms.
One of the most common complaints in relation to the digestive system is an upset stomach. Every person has experienced the pain and discomfort associated with this condition at some time or the other, hence, it's not like any of us are privy to upset stomach symptoms.
However, there are a myriad of causes that can lead to this ailment. Given is a comprehensive detailed explanation of causes, symptoms, and treatment of this condition.

Causes

There are many causes for an upset stomach, each of which lead to different symptoms, as given below.
  • Gastritis
  • Unhealthy and improper eating habits
  • Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
  • Stomach ulcers
  • Crohn's disease
  • Side effects of drugs
  • Helicobacter pylori infection
  • Allergic reaction to certain types of food, ingestion of very spicy food
  • Stomach flu
  • Viral infections
  • Acid reflux disease

Other Symptoms Accompanying Upset Stomachs

An upset stomach is a condition that mostly occurs in conjunction with other symptoms:
  • Pain in the stomach, along with a feeling of cramping, abdominal discomfort, and tenderness or guarding on palpitation in the abdominal region are the most common upset stomach symptoms.
  • Fever, which is mostly in the form of low-grade fever. A person suffering from typhoid fever, will also show these symptoms.
  • Nausea is also commonly seen. A person may have stomach pain and nausea if he/she is suffering from ulcers or gastritis.
  • Diarrhea may be one of the other symptoms. Diarrhea and upset stomachs are mostly seen together when the condition present affects the entire digestive tract, especially infections of the intestines, like in cases of viral infections.
  • Bloating is often seen with an upset stomach if the person has discomfort due to excessive gas accumulation, which leads to stomach distension, flatulence and pain.
  • Headache, dizziness, and irritability are other symptoms that may be seen.

Treatment

The treatment will depend upon the underlying condition. There is no point in only treating the symptom, if the causative agent behind the symptom is not dealt with. If the person has excessive gas, which is causing pain and discomfort, then the cure will consist of avoiding foods that cause the excessive gas.
To cure an upset stomach, one needs to also follow a diet, wherein the person should avoid overeating, and should preferably eat light, bland food. He/she should cut down on fats and should only eat nutritious food, preferably fruits, of which banana is the best fruit to eat when suffering from an upset stomach.
If the person has gastritis, then he/she should follow a gastritis diet, wherein he/she should avoid spicy food, and any other food that aggravates the condition. 
There are also certain food items, like green tea, which help by cleansing the digestive tract, thus, soothing the stomach. Also, exercising regularly will prevent any kind of fat build up, thus, preventing these ailments.
Thus, an upset stomach is not necessarily something alarming that one needs to worry about, but it shouldn't be taken lightly as it may be a symptom indicating a more serious underlying disease and disorder.
All said and done, the best way to treat and prevent upset stomach symptoms, is by following a healthy diet plan and by maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Disclaimer: This post is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.