Why Your Stomach Hurts

9 Reasons Why Your Stomach Hurts

Nearly everyone has had a stomachache at some point. But really, any organ in your abdomen (there are many!) could be to blame. Read more to find out about possible culprits. 

Stomach Pain?

Nearly everyone has had a stomachache at some point. But really, any organ in your abdomen (there are many) could be to blame.

Tummy trouble can be short-lived, come and go, or show up only after you eat—all clues to the cause. Doctors can also run a number of tests to narrow it down, says Vivek Kaul, MD, acting chief of the division of gastroenterology and hepatology at the University of Rochester Medical Center in Rochester, N.Y.

Read more to find out about possible culprits.

Gallstones

Gallstones are stones that form in the gallbladder, a tiny sac that hangs out under the liver, disgorging bile as needed to digest fats.

These stones cause swelling and can block the duct into the intestine, resulting in pain. Gallstone pain tends to strike the right side of the upper abdomen, particularly after fatty meals.

Such meals trigger the gallbladder to contract. “If the gallbladder is inflamed, any contraction of that nature will be amplified and typically will cause pain to the patient,” says Dr. Kaul.

Pancreatitis

Inflammation of the pancreas can cause burning pain in the upper or middle abdomen. Some people even have shooting pain that drives right through to their back, says Dr. Kaul.

You may lean forward or lie on your back to try to relieve the pain, which may subside into a dull ache, nausea, and vomiting, says Osama Alaradi, MD, a gastroenterologist at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit.

Too much alcohol can be a culprit, says Dr. Kaul, as are gallstones (the gallbladder and pancreas deliver their digestive juices into the intestine via the same duct). It often requires hospitalization. 

GERD

Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, can cause pain in the upper stomach and lower chest, aka heartburn.

The cause? A valve that separates the stomach from the esophagus is weak, allowing food and acid from the stomach to splash upwards. Ouch!

Eating too much food or the wrong type of food (fatty, for instance) can make it worse. Losing weight, watching what you eat, and medication like antacids, H2 blockers, and proton pump inhibitors, can also help. 

Lactose intolerance

Millions of people around the world have lactose intolerance. In fact, in some areas of the world, the lactose intolerant outnumber those who can digest lactose, a sugar found in milk and milk products.

This type of food intolerance causes milder abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, burping, gas, and indigestion.

The solution? Skip the dairy products, like milk and cheese.

Medication side effects
No drug is without side effects and sometimes that includes abdominal pain.

Oral bisphosphonates, a popular class of drugs that helps preserve bone density and prevent osteoporosis, can cause swelling—and therefore pain—in the lower esophagus, says Dr. Kaul.

Pain medications known as NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen and aspirin can also cause swelling in the stomach lining and may even lead to ulcers
Diverticulitis
Diverticulitis is an inflammation of “diverticula” or pockets that form in the lining of the intestine, usually the colon.

“These look like punched-out holes in the lining of the colon that tend to get inflamed or obstructed with stool or other foreign material,” says Dr. Kaul.

Symptoms can include cramping in the lower abdomen, which may respond to antibiotics. A high-fiber diet can help. In more severe cases, it can cause abscesses, bleeding, and even perforations, resulting in severe pain, or even the need for surgery or a hospitalization.

Gluten intolerance

Some people react badly to gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. The most severe form of gluten intolerance is called celiac disease.

“The gluten causes damage in the small intestine,” explains Dr. Alaradi. “The small intestine doesn’t work normally, it doesn’t absorb nutrients.” Experts and patients are becoming more aware of gluten intolerance and celiac disease, which causes gas, bloating, mild-to-severe pain, and fatigue.

The small intestine’s inability to absorb nutrients may lead to chronic diarrhea, weight loss, and even malnutrition. 

Stress

Stress can cause headaches, high blood pressure, insomnia and, yes, tummy trouble. Depression has been linked with digestive problems (including loss of appetite and weight loss) as well as irritable bowel syndrome. The relationship seems to go both ways, according to a study published in 2012 in the journal Gut.

In other words, depression may be causing the stomach aches but constant abdominal pain may just as easily lead to depression and anxiety. 

Food poisoning

Food poisoning from viruses or bacteria can cause abdominal pain, along with diarrhea and vomiting. Many outbreaks of food poisoning have been seen in recent years in the U.S., including 20 people in 7 states who picked up Salmonella from contaminated beef in 2011.

In rare cases, food poisoning can be serious or fatal. In general, the symptoms from food poisoning usually last about 1-2 days, says Dr. Alaradi.

However if you have viral gastroenteritis, a stomach bug from food or another person, it may last a bit longer.

Breast Problems and Size

Question: My 15-year-old daughter has one breast that is larger than the other. She is concerned that they will not even out. What can we do to check into this?

Answer:
This is a very common concern among female adolescents-even adult women! But it is quite common for each breast to be slightly different in size, a condition called asymmetry. Breast asymmetry is defined as a difference of form, position or volume of the breast, and it affects more than half of all women, so your daughter shouldn't feel alone. In fact, one study of 100 women who wanted breast augmentation with implants found that 88 percent had natural asymmetries.

Today, doctors can measure the symmetry of a woman's breasts via mammogram or, in your daughter's case, a special type of three-dimensional laser scanning called SCAN-3D, though these tests are not routinely available at most breast imaging centers.

Any discussion of the size or shape of a woman's breasts requires some rudimentary understanding of the anatomy of the breast itself. The breasts are actually glands contained within the front of the chest wall. The average breast weighs between seven and 10 ounces and is primarily composed of 12 to 20 lobes that spread out from the nipple like the spokes in a bicycle tire. These triangular lobes each have one central duct that opens at the nipple, through which milk exits.

Your breast tissue changes according to your menstrual cycle. For instance, you may find that your breasts feel fuller and are more sensitive when you're ovulating; and, in fact, they actually do get bigger because of water retention and additional blood flow. This is also when they're most likely to be the same size, however; one study found that breasts have the least amount of asymmetry on the first day of ovulation. During menstruation, breasts shrink again.

No one really knows what causes breasts to develop differently from one another, but possible contributors include hormonal changes or traumatic injuries. For instance, one report in the medical literature describes two cases of breast asymmetry that developed as the result of injuries the girls received to their "breast bud" area during gymnastics when they were 10 and 11.

Occasionally, an underlying medical or skeletal condition may cause asymmetrical breasts. One such condition, called juvenile, or virginal, hypertrophy of the breast, is a very rare problem in which one breast grows significantly larger than the other, leading to physical and psychological problems. It is typically treated with surgery.

Sometimes, underlying fibroids-non-cancerous tumors-may be the cause of asymmetry. Sudden or recent differences in breast size due to underlying breast masses should be evaluated by a breast surgeon. Other possible causes include scoliosis, or curvature of the spine, and deformities in the chest wall.

One thing your daughter should be aware of is that some research suggests that breast asymmetry may be a marker for women who have an increased risk of breast cancer. This is nothing to worry about now, but it should provide even greater incentive for her to conduct regular self breast exams throughout her life and, when the time is appropriate, obtain regular screening mammograms. Her doctors should also be aware of this asymmetry if it doesn't disappear as she gets older.

Generally, however, slight differences in a woman's breasts are of no concern. If the differences are greater than one bra cup, size, however, they may cause some psychological distress, particularly during adolescence, when a young woman's body and psyche are already changing so rapidly.

In the rare instance that the asymmetry causes such distress that your doctor recommends surgery, talk to the surgeon about breast reduction, rather than implants. Studies find that women with asymmetry who undergo reduction are generally more satisfied than those who have implants.

Health Tips for Depression

42 Home Remedies for Depression

Do you easily become irritated or burst with anger just on small things? Does the daily errands become taxing for you? If you are experiencing such symptoms, then you are prone to depression. Depression is a state in which an individual feels low energy, insomnia, feelings of guilt, ignorant, indifferent and a sense of despair. Depressed people fail to maintain even normal relationships. Difficulty in taking the simplest decisions, lack of concentration, lethargic and sluggish movements, agitation, restlessness, loss of appetite, and mood swings are some other symptoms which indicate that you are feeling blue. The major causes of depression are hormonal changes, certain medications, harrowing events like death of a loved one, loss of a job, and monetary troubles etc. And in some other cases imbalance of chemicals in the brain like dopamine, selenium, norepinephrine and serotonin occurs.

Although men and women experience same symptoms, women may show some other signs like atypical depression in which they tend to eat more, sleep excessively and gain weight. Seasonal affective disorder (low sunlight in winters makes females depressed) is another symptom. Various biological, psychological and social factors are associated with the experience of melancholy in women, such as infertility, pregnancy, premenstrual problems, postpartum depression, menopause, focus on negative feelings, marital problems, discrimination at workplace etc.

There are several herbal and home remedies to overcome the bouts of mild depression. But in severe cases, when one experiences suicidal tendencies, it’s essential to consult a doctor as soon as possible.

Home Remedies for Depression

Whenever you feel low or depressed, try your hand at the following home remedies.

1. Apple

“An apple a day keeps depression away.” Apple is considered to be the best fruit which prevents all sorts of ailments, for eons. It is equally effective for depression. Add finely chopped pieces of half an apple and 1-2 teaspoons of honey in a glass of milk. Consume it on a daily basis. If you don’t like milk, you can drink apple juice.

2. Saffron

Saffron boosts up the levels of serotonin in the brain, thereby cures mild depression. It’s a delicious seasoning for food. You can have a pinch of it regularly or add it to your food.

3. Rose Petals

Put 25-30 fresh rose petals in water. Boil it for 12-15 minutes. Let it cool and add sugar. Drink this mixture twice or thrice a day. This home remedy effectively relieves you from the bouts of depression.

4. Cardamom

The pleasing odor of cardamom soothes the nerves of our brain. Prepare tea by adding a few tea leaves. Add finely powdered cardamom seeds to it. Sip it slowly.

• Or else, add sugar and powder of 2 cardamoms to a cup of hot water. Boil it. Sip it warm.

5. Coffee

Give a refreshing start to your day with a cup of coffee. Caffeine present in the coffee is a good mood booster and makes you feel better. 1-2 cups of coffee per day relieve mild depression. But don’t consume more than 2 cups; otherwise, it may enhance depression.

Note – It is suggested only for coffee-lovers, others may choose to avoid it.

6. Turmeric

If you are suffering from depression caused due to seasonal changes, turmeric could be of great help. The curcumin present in the turmeric positively affects the pathways of serotonin in the brain, thus, mitigates the depression.

7. Green Tea

Sip 2-3 cups of green tea a day to reduce the symptoms of depression. Green tea has a soothing effect on the brain due to the presence of amino acids in it.

8. Ginger Tea

Boil 1 teaspoon of ginger powder in hot water for a few minutes. Allow the liquid to cool. Sip it two times a day. It’s an excellent cure for depression.

9. Garlic

Add garlic to your food as it wards off the symptoms related to depression, fatigue and insomnia.

10. Balanced Diet

A balanced diet prevents you from catching any/every disease. Have a diet rich in folate, Vitamin B (especially B6) and C.

• All dark leafy vegetables are rich in folate.
• B6 rich foods are spinach, asparagus, sunflower seeds, parsnips, citrus fruits and beets. Non vegetarian sources are lean pork, poultry, fish, chicken, lean beef, spinach, avocados and bananas.
• For Vitamin C consume tomatoes, oranges, fresh juice, brown rice, grams, green vegetables, Indian gooseberries etc.
• Magnesium containing foods are required to cope with suicidal tendencies. Ingest pumpkin, sunflower and sesame seeds. Nuts like almonds and cashews are also beneficial for the same. In addition, black beans, navy beans, soybeans, spinach, kale, Swiss chard, collard greens and whole grains.
• Eat selenium containing food such as tuna, swordfish, oysters, and sunflower seeds.

11. Oatmeal

Cook 4-5 tablespoons of oatmeal in 1 cup of soy milk or rice milk.  Add dried fruits, almonds, nuts, honey or maple syrup in it. It relaxes and keeps depression at bay, so, consume it on a regular basis

12. Cashew nuts

Cashew nuts keep your heart in the pink as it’s affluent in Vitamin B and B2. It also keeps your mind hale and hearty. You can also grind 5-8 cashew nuts into powder and have it with a glass of milk every day.

13. Pumpkin Seeds

Roasted pumpkin seeds are not only yummy, but are also loaded with a number of nutritious elements, like glutamic acid, arginine, phosphorous, magnesium, copper, iron, fiber, protein, etc. The seeds has peanut-like flavor, and can be added to soups, salads, or can be consumed as a snack. Other magnesium rich foods are sesame and sunflower seeds.

14. Folic Acid

Cabbage is a great stress-buster as it’s an affluent source of Vitamin C and folic acid. You can prepare steamed cabbage curry, cabbage soup or can consume it in the form of salad.

• Spinach is another well-off source of folic acid, which works well against depression. One must intake ¾ cup of spinach per day in order to fulfill the daily requirement of folic acid.

Note – Folic acid may lead to cancer, as per a few researches. So, we recommend you to discuss with your doctor about this. It also damages central nervous system.

15. Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids such as Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are essential for the optimal functioning of the brain and reducing the risk of depression. Fish like salmon or tuna, flaxseeds, cod, soy, pollock, flounder and walnuts are well-off in omega-3 fatty acids. Fish oil also resists depression. So, you should include fish and fish oil in your diet.

16. Laughter

Laughter aids in offsetting the symptoms of depression by improving the mood and impacting social relationships favorably. After all, “Laughter is the best medicine.”

17. Exercise

To improve your mood, relax your mind, uplift your self-esteem, and keep your mental health, it’s very important to indulge yourself in some sort of moderate physical activities. Muscle relaxation and breathing exercises are considered to be great for the depressed people. Jogging and walking are equally effective.

18. Yoga and Meditation

Meditation and yoga efficiently alters the brain’s biochemistry. You send a message to the brain via spinal cord when you stretch during yoga. It stimulates the sensation of ‘feel good’. Daily practice of pranayamas and asanas keeps you from melancholy.

19. Sunbathe

The level of natural antidepressant in the brain increases in the sunlight. A research has revealed that our brain produces more serotonin, a mood-lifting chemical, on sunny days than it does on darker or cloudy days.  So, sunbathe for a minimum of 30 minutes whenever you require warmth.

20. Bathe

Since sunbathing is not possible at night or on an extremely hot day, have a shower, if you feel dejected. Surprised? Researchers discovered that bathing or a neutral immersion bath relaxes mind and uplifts mood.

21. Soak Feet in Hot Water

If bathing is not possible due to any reason, you can try this remedy. Fill a tub with hot water and add some soap, chlorine and rosemary leaves to it. Dip your feet in this tub for 15-20 minutes. It will calm down your dejected mind.

22. Massage

Massage the soles of your feet with sunflower or coconut oil before going to bed. It will revitalize your nerves making you feel unperturbed.

23. Acupuncture

Acupuncture is considered to be a natural way to do away with depression as it elevates one’s mood and calms the mind. Studies revealed the fact that acupuncture changes the release of neurohormones and neurotransmitters, thereby altering the chemistry of the brain favorably.

24. Guided Imagery

It is a method in which your mind and body communicates with each other via touch, taste, smell and vision. It involves imagination of things that bring positive thoughts to your mind like mountains, waterfall, sunrise and sunset on the beach etc. You endeavor to feel the breeze, smell the flowers and hear the sounds in nature. You can practice it during touch therapy and massage. The skills of visualization can’t be learnt overnight. One needs continuous practice, patience and time to master it.

25. Music Therapy

Music therapy is a non-medical way to overcome grief, anxiety, fear and stress. It tranquilizes your spirit naturally and is good for people of all ages. Put on your headphones and listen to classic old melodies or hit rocks depending on your taste and mood.

26. Light Therapy

In this therapy, depressed person is seated close to an intensely lit box. This box imitates light from outside. Initially, the patient is exposed to this box for 15 minutes, but depending upon the of severity of symptoms, the time limit may extend up to 2 hours each day. The intensity of the light is also determined according to the level of depression. This therapy only relieves the signs associated with melancholy; it does not completely cure depression.

27. Writing Therapy

Maintain a mood diary and pen down all the positive things that occur around you. Don’t write about any negative event. If you find it difficult to maintain it on a daily basis, write at least once-a-week. Whenever you feel dejected, come back to your dairy and read it. It will remind you of your good days and bring a smile on your face.

In general, pouring your heart out by the means of writing is considered to be healing, according to the researchers. So, we suggest you to write more often, it has no side effects.

28. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

This therapy focuses on your thoughts. Depression can easily be resisted by developing an optimistic outlook and altering the way of your thinking. Pessimistic thoughts elicit the feeling of solitude and triviality, but you can overcome this condition by staying focused solely on positive side of everything that happens to you. It is a short-term therapy that lasts for 10-20 sessions and effectively treats mild to moderate depression.

Herbal Remedies for Depression

Here are some of the herbal remedies which really work wonders in fending off the depression.

29. Lemon Herb

Put 25 grams of lemon herb in cold water. Leave it for 12-15 hours. Use this ointment twice or thrice a day.

30. Asparagus (Shatavari)

Grind the dried roots of asparagus into the powdered form. Ingest 1-2 grams of this powder at least once a day.

31. Nardostachys or Spikenard (Jatamansi)

The extracts of rhizome and roots of this herb are said to have tranquilizing effect on the brain. It is a mild sedative that reduces aggression.

32. Indian Ginseng (Ashwagandha)

This herb has antidepressant properties. Have 2 tablespoons of powdered Indian ginseng with a glass of water to overcome melancholy.

33. Nutmeg

Extract juice of fresh Indian gooseberries. Add 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg powder to it. Drink it three times a day.

34. Licorice

1-3 cups of licorice tea a day alleviate depression. You can also take licorice powder with milk.

Note- Breast-feeding and pregnant women should not consume licorice in any form. Besides, people with renal, heart and liver diseases, high blood pressure and those take aspirin, warfarin (Coumadin) must abstain from having licorice.

35. Sage and Basil Leaves

Prepare a tea by adding ½ teaspoon of sage and ¼ teaspoon of basil leaves to a cup of hot water. Drink it twice a day to reduce depression.

36. Lavender Leaves

Boil 1 cup of water, then steep 1 teaspoon of lavender leaves. Strain the liquid and consume the resultant solution when it’s hot, thrice a day.

37. Sandalwood Powder

Apply sandalwood powder on the forehead on the daily basis. It calms and soothes the mind of depressed person.

38. Commiphora mukul (Guggul)

This herb strengthens the nervous system, apart from reducing weight. It is available in the form of various supplements and herbal capsules in medical stores. Alternatively, dry some guggul resins and spread it on burning coal. Inhale the smoke for a few minutes. Its smoke is said to be good for rejuvenating the mind.

39. Bacopa monnieri (Brahmi)

Consume 5 grams of Bacopa monnieri with a glass of milk on a regular basis. You can also add licorice to it.

• Massage your head with brahmi oil. It eases depression.
• Nasal drops of warm brahmi ghee or sesame oil (1-2 drops in each nose) also treat the symptoms of depression.

40. Ginkgo biloba

This herb stimulates the brain to produce neurotransmitters which in turn relieves depression. The supplements of Ginkgo biloba are made by its extract which is obtained by taking out the active ingredients of dried and crushed leaves of the herb. It relieves dementia and depression by increasing the flow of blood to the brain.

41. St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum)

Consume 300 mg of this herb thrice a day.

Note- While using St. John’s wort, remember the following points-

• Over doses of this herb for a longer period may result in sensitivity to sunlight, particularly in people with fair complexion.
• While using this herb, avoid the consumption of pickled herring, yeast, red wine and cheese.
• Pregnant women should not use St. John’s wort.
• It is not suggested for those who are taking any antidepressants prescribed by your doctor/physician.

42. Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy helps treating some of the major symptoms of depression like insomnia and mental fatigue. The essential oils used in this therapy are lavender, sandalwood, ylang-ylang, basil, clary sage essential oil, angelica, geranium, juniper, mint, rosemary, chamomile, and jasmine essential oil. Use these oils in correct ratio for diffusers, baths and massages for excellent results.

• Infuse your room with perfume by lighting an aromatherapy lamp.
• Pour any of your favorite essential oil on a cloth or handkerchief and place it inside the pillowcase before you sleep at night.

Note- Those who are allergic to fragrance can avoid using this therapy. It’s better to consult an aroma therapist before starting it.

Do’s

• Sleep for a minimum of 7-8 hours.
• Whenever negative thoughts hover in your mind, divert yourself by reading a good book or listening cheerful music.
• Develop optimistic attitude. Try new endeavors everyday to keep your mind busy having fun.
• If workload is the reason behind your depression, try to delegate your responsibilities. If possible, take a break from your work.
• Remember talking about or sharing your emotions, feelings or problems with your friends and family members are not at all signs of weakness. In fact, it will help you reduce your stress.

Don’ts

• Abstain from consuming chemicals additives, sugar, junk foods, colas, alcohol, tea, strong condiments and food colorings.
• Refrain from overuse of psychosomatic or antidepressant drugs.
• Don’t set unrealistic goals. Instead, set small targets and try to achieve them wholeheartedly.
• Never hop a meal. A proper meal stabilizes your blood sugar, thereby decreasing mood swings.
• Don’t neglect the symptoms of depression as it may lead to heart diseases.