That Weird Feeling in Your Stomach and How to Get Rid of It

By - Sabriha Hasan

The good old stomach bug. Almost everyone, be it young or old has faced stomach problems at least once in their life. The most common complaint related to the digestive system is a tummy ache. But, that might not be the case all the time.

Stomach problems don’t necessarily relate to having pain in every case. There might be instances where one might complain that their stomach feels weird but no pain. Well, if you’re lucky and in love, you might just be having butterflies in your stomach.

But if things start to get uncomfortable, then something is definitely wrong down there. Well, Don’t you worry. In this article, we’ll be diving into why you have that weird feeling in your stomach and how to get rid of it. So, sit tight and keep on reading.

Uncomfortable Feeling in the Stomach

Not all digestive problems lead to pain. Abdominal problems might lead to having an uncomfortable feeling. You might be experiencing bloating, feeling gassy, feeling full, nausea, vomiting, burning sensation, or even churning of the stomach.

There can be several causes behind your symptoms. You would need a proper diagnosis in order to treat your condition. The best way to do that is to consult your doctor. They are like to run some tests that might include testing your stool and urine. They might also include invasive tests like endoscopy.

A proper diagnosis would lead to proper treatment. However, it is necessary to be knowledgeable about your symptoms. That’s why we’d be discussing some of the most common symptoms of upper abdominal and lower abdominal discomfort. 

Symptoms of Common Stomach Problems

The symptoms of abdominal problems can be widespread. It can either be limited to one region of the stomach or it can be radiating all over the abdominal region. Here are some of the symptoms that you might feel that lead to abdominal discomfort.

Chronic Upper Abdominal Symptoms

Some of the chronic upper abdominal symptoms are as follows:

Some other symptoms that might accompany the abdominal symptoms:

Chronic Lower Abdominal Symptoms

Lower abdominal discomfort can be accompanied by the following symptoms:

The non-abdominal symptoms that might appear along with lower abdominal discomfort are similar to the accompanying symptoms of chronic upper abdominal symptoms. Some of them are mentioned as follows:

Stomach Feels Weird but No Pain

The usual complaint of abdominal problems is stomach pain. However, as discussed above, stomach problems can manifest other symptoms that do not include pain. The symptoms might not be painful but are definitely a source of major discomfort.

There can be many underlying causes behind this weird feeling in your stomach. Improper eating habits contribute a lot to having abdominal discomfort. Some of the habits behind this are:

Tight Feeling in Upper Stomach

If you are experiencing a tight feeling in your upper stomach there can be an array of causes behind it. A few common causes are mentioned as follows:

There can be some emergency life-threatening conditions causing upper abdominal discomfort. These conditions need immediate medical attention. Such conditions are:

Lower Stomach Feels Weird but No Pain

The causes and reasons behind lower abdominal discomfort may vary from upper abdominal tenderness. Here are a few causes of lower abdominal discomfort.

Some conditions that need immediate medical attention are:

There are a few common causes that are most prevalent and are responsible for the majority of the cases. The most common causes behind a weird feeling in the stomach are discussed in detail.

Dyspepsia (Indigestion)

Dyspepsia, also known as indigestion is the recurrent or persistent pain or discomfort mostly in the upper abdomen. It can be caused by conditions or infections that may or may not affect the gastrointestinal tracts. The signs and symptoms of indigestion can be triggered by many things.

The symptoms may increase or decrease in intensity and frequency based on the type and stage of the condition. The symptoms might include belching, abdominal pain, cramps, nausea, vomiting, bloating or abdominal distention, feeling full always, loss of appetite, etc.

Food poisoning

Food poisoning is one of the major causes of abdominal discomfort. It usually occurs to people who have ingested food contaminated with bacteria or consumed food that was made in an unhygienic environment.

Children, aged people, immunocompromised patients, and women who are pregnant are more likely to suffer from food poisoning. The symptoms of food poisoning show up at varied times. It can take hours to days.

Food poisoning usually affects more than one person in the same area at a time. The most common symptoms of food poisoning are nausea, diarrhea, stomach aches, indigestion, fever, etc.

CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) guidelines mention that anyone suffering from fever above 101.5 degrees Fahrenheit, is dehydrated, has a problem standing up, is dizzy, experiencing frequent diarrhea lasting more than 3 days, and/ or passing blood with stool must visit the doctor as soon as possible.

Viral Gastroenteritis

If you are suffering from Viral gastroenteritis then you might experience that your stomach feels weird but no pain is there. This condition is commonly referred to as the stomach flu. It is characterized by a viral infection of the intestines.

The rotavirus causes most cases of viral gastroenteritis in children. On the other hand, the Nora virus is responsible for causing enteritis in adults.

Abdominal cramps or pain, fever, malaise, chills, watery diarrhea, nausea that may lead to vomiting, etc. One of the major danger signs for viral gastroenteritis is dehydration. This is especially observed in children.

Make sure to look out for excessive thirst, dryness of the tongue and mouth, sunken eyes, excessive tiredness or lethargy, loss of turgidity of skin i.e the skin remains raised when pinched. These are the danger signs of dehydration.

The best way to tackle viral gastroenteritis is to maintain proper hydration. Drink plenty of fluids to avoid getting dehydrated. If you ever observe any dangerous signs of dehydration, you must contact your doctor immediately.

Excessive Stress and Anxiety

Believe it or not, mental health imposes a great influence on your physical health. Excessive stress and anxiety lead to digestive problems. There might be heaviness or churning feeling in your stomach. There might be signs where your stomach feels weird but no pain is present.

The GI tract and the brain has many nerve endings that are connected. When under stress, stress hormones are released which may have direct effects on the stomach. It might lead to symptoms like stomach churning and heaviness.

Some other symptoms might be indigestion, diarrhea, constipation, nausea, loss of appetite, formation of ulcers in the stomach, a.k.a peptic ulcers, etc.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Irritable bowels syndrome, commonly known as IBS is quite a common condition. About 10 to 15 percent of the population in the United States is affected by Irritable bowel syndrome. It is a gastrointestinal disorder with characteristic features like bloating, constipation, diarrhea.

The other accompanying symptoms for Irritable Bowel Syndrome would be muscle pain, fatigue, back pain, painful sexual intercourse, pain during urination, testicular pain, etc. There are medications available that might be prescribed by the doctor.

But an overall lifestyle change would be the way to avoid the symptoms flare-up. Avoiding certain foods and maintaining an active lifestyle would be able to keep the condition under control.

Lactose Intolerance

Inability to digest milk and milk products is known as lactose intolerance. It occurs due to the lack of an enzyme called lactase. Lactase is responsible for breaking down lactose a type of sugar, which is one of the main components of milk and milk products.

Since lactase can’t be broken down in people suffering from lactose intolerance, they usually have digestive problems when they consume milk or milk products. The symptoms that are triggered by milk consumption can include diarrhea, stomach-churning, abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, bloating, etc.

Celiac Disease

Celiac disease is a condition where a person’s immune system attacks their own digestive system when they eat gluten. To put it simply, people with celiac disease are intolerant to gluten. Gluten is a type of protein present in wheat, rye, barley, cereals, licorice, etc.

When a person with celiac disease eats gluten their immune system is triggered and starts attacking the intestinal lining of the small intestine. The symptoms of this condition vary from person to person.

The symptoms might include nausea, vomiting, bloating, gas formation, abdominal pain or abdominal cramping, diarrhea or constipation, foul-smelling stool, and many more. The intolerance might also trigger bone pain, muscle cramps, itchy skin rashes, numbness, weight loss, etc.

Gastritis

Gastritis means inflammation of the stomach wall. It can be either acute or chronic. The symptoms of gastritis might not always be prominent. But, when the symptoms do appear one might experience bloating, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, burning pain, etc.

Infection by a specific bacteria called Helicobacter pylori is one of the leading causes of gastritis. Other than that, excessive use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can cause gastritis. This condition is also triggered by spicy, fatty food and, alcohol consumption.

Over-the-counter antacids might provide temporary relief from gastric pains. However, your doctor might prescribe histamine blockers or proton pump inhibitor drugs. Being careful about your diet will help avoid gastric pains.

Intestinal Obstruction

When there is a blockage in your intestines, be it the small or large intestine and such blockage is preventing ingested food to pass through then such condition is called intestinal obstruction. There can be a growth of a benign mass, hernia, tumor, or scar tissue formation due to trauma or surgery.

These masses might block the intestinal passage and prevent the movement of food products. The symptoms of intestinal obstruction may include: bloating, abdominal distension, recurrent pain, not passing gas, and many more.

If you’re suspecting that you have intestinal obstruction then you should seek help immediately as this condition might lead to life-threatening situations.

PMS

PMS aka the premenstrual syndrome includes a range of symptoms that might appear a week before a woman’s menstrual cycle. Women who also suffer from psychological symptoms like depression, mood swings, anxiety tend to have more digestive symptoms during their premenstrual period.

The symptoms might include bloating, indigestion, cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, pain in the pelvic region, etc.

Drug Reactions

There are some medications that tend to induce digestive problems upon ingestion. Some of these medications are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like naproxen, laxatives, certain antibiotics, etc. They tend to cause bloating, stomach-churning, feelings of discomfort, etc.

Stomach Feels Weird but No Pain: Pregnancy

During pregnancy, a woman’s body goes through extensive changes. It takes quite some time to get used to. However, the body and its features keep changing every trimester. Digestive changes are quite a common phenomenon during pregnancy.

The changes in hormonal levels affect the digestive system immensely. As the fetus grows it starts to take space in the abdominal cavity. During the last trimester, the fetus exerts a good amount of pressure on the adjacent organs.

Some of the most common gastrointestinal problems during pregnancy are as follows:

How to Prevent Weird Feeling in the Stomach?

In order to treat the weird feeling in your stomach, you need to get a proper diagnosis first. So, it is best to pay your doctor a visit. They would run some tests which would help specify the underlying condition.

Initially, your physician would suggest a change in lifestyle. A healthy lifestyle would solve the majority of the problem. Here are a few changes you can make in order to prevent digestive problems.

Your physician might suggest you some over-the-counter medications that would offer you temporary relief. Some of these medications can be as follows:

Depending on your diagnosis you might be prescribed stronger and more powerful medication. Invasive surgeries might be needed in case of emergency situations. However, it is best to consult your doctor. In no way should you opt for self-medication.

You can opt for some home remedies by consulting your doctor. If your condition is not that serious and is easily manageable your doctor might suggest home remedies. Mentioned below are some common home remedies like herbal teas, apple cider vinegar, peppermint, etc.

Final Words

Digestive problems don’t necessarily mean stomach aches. Patients often complain that their stomach feels weird but no pain is prevalent. This weird feeling in the stomach can have many underlying causes. But, it is important to have a proper diagnosis.

You will be able to treat your condition properly only if you have a proper diagnosis. There are some over-the-counter medications and home remedies available that would provide you with temporary relief. But, an appropriate treatment regime is necessary to successfully restore your health.

FAQs

Why does my stomach feel tight?

There can be several underlying causes of abdominal discomfort. Most of them relate to the gastrointestinal system. Problems in digestion usually cause tightness in the stomach.

Why does the bottom of my stomach feel weird?

Uncomfortable feelings in the lower abdomen can be related to pregnancy, Irritable bowel disease, appendicitis, urinary tract infection, etc. It is necessary to get some tests done in order to specify your condition.

What does it mean when you feel pain in your lower stomach?

If you are feeling pain in your lower stomach then you might be having digestive problems. Problems relating to the reproductive organs can also cause lower abdominal pain.

What are signs that something is wrong with your stomach?

Indigestion, diarrhea, constipation, nausea, vomiting, change in bowel movement, bloating, belching, cramps, etc are symptoms that indicate stomach problems.

How can I clean out my stomach?

There are herbal teas and over-the-counter medicines like laxatives that can help clear out your stomach. It is best to consult your doctor for effective advice.