The stomach is a muscular organ located on the left side of the upper abdomen. Food that enters through the mouth will go through the esophagus to get to the stomach. When food reaches the end of the esophagus it enters the stomach through a muscular valve known as the lower esophageal valve.
The stomach secretes acids and enzymes to digest food. The stomach muscles contract periodically to churn food and promote digestion. Launching from the Halodoc.com page, the stomach has four functions.
Among them process food with the help of acids and enzymes, the stomach breaks down food into small particles. Second, the stomach functions to store food. Not all food that enters the stomach will be processed at that time. Part of the food consumed will be stored.
Third, sorting and getting rid of harmful substances. The stomach produces an acid known as hydrochloric acid. The function of the acidic liquid is not only to help break down food, but also to sort and get rid of harmful substances or microbes in food.
Fourth, the stomach functions to absorb substances that are good for the body. The stomach also produces other substances that make it easier for the body to absorb good substances, for example vitamin B12. Stomach health must be maintained so that the body’s health is also stable. Especially the intake of food and drinks that enter the body.
Characteristics of a Stress Stomach
The stomach can experience stress, its main feature is the presence of digestive disorders that are not caused by conditions in the stomach, such as emotional changes, including stress and anxiety. Treatment is also related to the management of stress, anxiety, and tension.
In an article entitled Stress and the Gut: Pashipatology and Treatment by Peter C. Konturek, et al revealed that stress can trigger digestive disorders, especially the intestines. Not only that, stress also causes symptoms of stomach disease.
Launching from the Kumparan.com page, the following are the characteristics of stomach stress experienced by someone who has digestive disorders due to anxiety.
- Tingling in the stomach
- Tightness, turbulence, cramps in the abdomen
- Feeling nervous or anxious
- Shaking, shivering, and muscle twitching
- Stomach often feels bloated
- The onset of abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting
- Experiencing indigestion
- It’s easy to feel full quickly
- Stomach feels bloated and warm
- Increased urination and defecation
A stressed stomach can develop into several diseases including stomach cramps, diarrhea, changes in appetite, nausea and vomiting, and constipation. Therefore, to relieve stomach stress, Grameds needs to break down stress, adjust diet and lifestyle.
Causes of Stomach Stress
Hormonal changes have the potential to impact the stomach. The digestive tract has a special nervous system known as the enteric nervous system. Nerve endings in the stomach will respond to stress hormones released by the brain.
In that condition, the stomach has the potential to receive stress hormones which can cause indigestion. Summarizing from the Kumparan.com page, here are some of the causes of stomach stress that are commonly felt by sufferers.
- Activities that can trigger increased stress levels, such as tests or presentations
- Financial Problem
- Personal issues, such as relationships, family, divorce, and friendships
- Changes in conditions at work or home environment
- Death of a loved one
- Chronic disease
Handling Gastric Stress
Stomach stress must be treated immediately for long-term health. Summarizing from the Kumparan.com and Orami.co.id pages, here are some ways to deal with stomach stress.
1. Therapy
If Grameds is unable to handle stress on his own, it is advisable to see an expert, either a psychologist or a psychiatrist. They will help Grameds deal with stress in a professional manner. Not only that, the therapist will help identify triggers and how to deal with stress appropriately.
2. Drug therapy
It’s not uncommon for someone to need medication to calm down, reduce anxiety, and depression. This also affects stomach stress which will get better.
3. Regulating Diet
Regulating diet can be done by limiting what goes into the body. In particular, foods and drinks that exacerbate stomach stress, such as products that contain milk and caffeine. How to regulate the diet of one individual to another individual is different.
4. Doing Stress Relieving Activities
Various positive activities can be done to reduce stress, including sports, journaling, listening to music, reading, chatting with friends, writing, or other activities. However, some other people relieve stress by doing their daily schedule.
5. Meditation, Practicing Breathing, and Mindfulness
Meditation is a powerful way to reduce anxiety and stress by increasing focus and self-awareness. When meditating, Grameds will sit or lie down in a quiet room and focus on breathing. Some people do 10-15 minutes of meditation a day to reduce the symptoms of stomach distress.
6. Consumption of Natural Medicines
By consuming natural remedies, such as ginger mixed with tea, it can be a supplement that helps relieve symptoms of mild digestive disorders, including nausea. Not only that, drinking peppermint tea or applying eucalyptus oil can also be aromatherapy which helps reduce stomach symptoms of stress.
7. Use a Diffuser with Essential Oils
Essential oils can be used as air fresheners as well as help relieve anxiety. Grameds can use a diffuser with relaxing essential oils such as lavender, chamomile, vetiver, rose, or another type of essential oil.
8. Relax For A While
Everyone needs time and a place to relax or take a break. Various activities can be done, for example taking a walk alone, chatting with colleagues, family, friends, or anyone, watching movies, and other activities.
Disorders of the Stomach
Stomach health must be a concern because if you are sick it will cause the body to lack nutrition and interfere with daily activities. Launching from the page Alodokter.com, here are some gastric diseases.
1. Gastritis
Gastritis or inflammation of the stomach wall is divided into two types, namely acute and chronic gastritis. There are various triggers for gastritis, such as long-term use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, excessive alcohol consumption, and the presence of autoimmune diseases.
Some people who suffer from gastritis do not feel any symptoms. However, the most common symptoms that occur in people with gastritis are vomiting, nausea, hiccups, pain in the pit of the stomach, and defecation with black stools. If not taken seriously it will cause more serious diseases, such as stomach cancer, stomach bleeding, and peptic ulcers.
2. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or also known as gastric acid disease is a condition in which food or drink that has been mixed with stomach acid rises back up into the esophagus. Thus, a sour or bitter taste appears in the mouth and a burning sensation in the chest.
GERD sufferers can experience nausea, sore throat, vomiting, and difficulty sleeping. If left untreated in the long term, it will cause irritation and bleeding of the esophagus and even esophageal cancer.
3. Stomach Ulcers
Gastric ulcers are sores caused by erosion of the walls of the stomach or small intestine. However, in general, peptic ulcers are caused by infection with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori or excessive consumption of anti-inflammatory drugs, such as aspirin and ibuprofen.
Symptoms that arise in patients with gastric ulcers are nausea, frequent belching, flatulence, heartburn, and even vomiting blood. Some symptoms can get worse when sufferers experience stress, consume excessively spicy or sour foods, smoke, and drink alcoholic beverages.
4. Stomach Cancer
Gastric cancer rarely causes specific symptoms in its early stages. Thus, it is often only detected when entering an advanced stage. The cause of stomach cancer itself is not known with certainty. However, there are several things that can trigger it, such as obesity, consumption of unhealthy foods, smoking, rarely exercising, consuming alcohol, and so on.
5. Gastroparesis
One of the tasks of the stomach muscles is to push food or drink into the small intestine. However, in people with gastroparesis, the stomach muscles are not able to work optimally so that the process of digesting food becomes slow.
Gastroparesis is usually accompanied by several complaints including feeling full quickly when eating, flatulence, nausea, heartburn, and vomiting food that has not been completely digested.
The cause of this disease is not known with certainty, but it is strongly suspected that gastroparesis is caused by damage to the nerves that control the stomach muscles. This disease will be more at risk of occurring in people with certain health problems, such as diabetes, scleroderma, and amyloidosis.