Stomach Feels Tight, Know the Causes and How to Prevent It

A tight feeling in the stomach is usually experienced by pregnant women, but this condition can also be caused by various other reasons, such as indigestion or food poisoning. Knowing the cause of the stomach feeling tight can be the first step to preventing this condition.

The stomach feels tight because the abdominal muscles are tense. This condition may also feel like flatulence and can be accompanied by other symptoms, such as stomach cramps .

Stomach feeling tight is generally not a disease, but a symptom of certain medical conditions. Symptoms can vary for each person. There are symptoms of a tight stomach that feel light, but there are also symptoms that feel so severe that they require immediate treatment by a doctor.

Various Causes of a Tight Stomach

Knowing the causes of your stomach feeling tight can help you take prevention and get the appropriate treatment. The following are various causes of a tight stomach:

1. Pregnant

Stomach feeling tight is a common complaint during pregnancy. In early pregnancy, a tight stomach is generally caused by stretching of the uterus. In addition to making the stomach enlarge, this condition will also cause the stomach to feel tight.

Meanwhile, at the end of pregnancy, the stomach feels tight or cramps can occur due to false contractions (Braxton Hicks contractions). This type of contraction is normally experienced as a form of preparation for the body to prepare for labor.

2. Indigestion

Indigestion can be a cause of a tight stomach. This condition generally occurs due to eating too much or fast, consuming too much caffeinated or alcoholic drinks, smoking, and taking certain drugs.

Apart from feeling tight in the stomach, there are several other symptoms that may accompany indigestion, such as nausea, frequent burping, and stomach discomfort during or after eating.

3. Constipation

Another cause that makes the stomach feel tight is constipation . This condition is usually caused by a diet that lacks fiber, so bowel movements become slower. This will trigger feces to stay in the intestines longer and be difficult to remove.

Not only does the stomach feel tight, constipation can also cause other symptoms, such as defecating less than 3 times a week and hard stools.

4. Food poisoning

The next cause of a tight stomach is food poisoning . This condition can be caused by consuming food contaminated with bacteria, toxic, or expired.

Apart from feeling tight in the stomach, people who experience food poisoning can also experience diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and no appetite.

5. Irritable bowel syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or irritable bowel syndrome is a disorder of the large intestine that can be characterized by a tight feeling in the stomach. In addition, IBS can also cause flatulence and constipation.

The cause of IBS is not certain. However, there are several conditions that can increase the risk of irritable bowel, such as gastrointestinal infections and stress.

6. Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) generally occurs 1 week before menstruation. For some women, PMS can cause a number of symptoms, one of which is a feeling of tightness in the stomach. Other symptoms that may occur during PMS are acne, breast tenderness, constipation, mood swings , and changes in appetite.

Although it is common, the exact cause of PMS is not known. However, PMS symptoms can get worse if you smoke, consume alcohol, are less active, don’t get enough sleep, and eat too much red meat or foods that contain lots of salt and sugar.

7. Anxiety

In addition to the various causes mentioned above, a tight feeling in the stomach can also be caused by anxiety or anxiety. When you feel anxious, your body will produce stress hormones. This hormone will affect the work of the digestive tract, one of the symptoms of which is the stomach feels tight.

How to Prevent a Tight Stomach

Stomach feeling tight is generally not dangerous, but this condition can still bother sufferers. Therefore, knowing the underlying cause is the key to preventing a tight stomach.

In addition to knowing the cause, preventing the stomach from feeling tight can also be done by changing your lifestyle to be healthier. Some healthy lifestyle changes that can be implemented to prevent a tight stomach are:

  • Maintain a healthy diet with sufficient intake of vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds.
  • Drink enough water.
  • Do regular exercise.
  • Reduce consumption of sugar and salt.
  • Do not consume alcohol.
  • Do not smoke.
  • Manage stress wisely.

Although not dangerous, a tight stomach can also be a symptom of a more serious condition, especially if the tight stomach has been going on for a long time and is accompanied by other symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, bloody bowel movements, and severe stomach pain.

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