Not Medical Advice: The following may cause the stomach to feel tight:
Women Specific Disorders
- Menstrual cramps - one of the most common causes of abdominal pain for women.
- Endometriosis - a condition where cells from the uterus start to grow in other parts of the body
- Uterine Fibroids - are benign tumors in the walls of the uterus.
- Ovarian cysts - which are small sacs of fluid that are generally benign, but may cause pain if they get too big.
Digestive Conditions
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), ulcers, diverticular disease, bowel obstructions, or hernias
- Diarrhea, food poisoning, constipation, lactose intolerance, or excessive gas.
- Inflammation of the pancreas, Crohn's disease, and ulcerative colitis
Referred Pain happens when people get abdominal cramps because of problems with the organs near the abdominal cavity. Some causes are:
- Kidney stones
- Gallbladder disease
- Urinary Tract infections
Pregnant women are generally prone to gas and constipation, which makes them likely to get cramps. They can also experience pain as the stomach ligaments stretch to accommodate the baby. Most of the time, abdominal cramps during pregnancy are nothing to worry about, but sharp pain and bloody discharge can be a sign of an ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, or labor. Preeclampsia and placental abruption can also cause severe abdominal pain.
In the later stages, some forms of cancer may lead to abdominal cramping. This is particularly common with cancers of the liver, stomach, and reproductive organs. Another less usual cause is somatization disorder, an emotional condition primarily found in children that causes symptoms such as abdominal pain and strep throat.
In rare cases, pain in the abdomen may be an indication of a medical emergency, such as when an organ ruptures. When this occurs, additional symptoms often include a stomach that is stiff to the touch, fever, and nausea or vomiting. This happens most often with the appendix, but can also occur with other organs too.
Abdominal cramping is a painful condition caused by contractions of the muscles in and around the abdomen. The pain can be acute and sudden or chronic and gradual.
The treatment for abdominal cramps involves addressing the underlying cause. You can use heating pads or hot water bottles to relieve abdominal pain, particularly that from menstrual cramps. It is important to see your doctor to get the right diagnosis and medications
For more detailed information about why the stomach feel tight and bloated, you can also check Health Tap.
Stomach aches, also broadly called “abdominal pain,” are tricky things to find remedies for unless you know the cause. Ranging from indigestion and irritable bowel syndrome to gastritis and GERD, an aching tummy can stem from many things. Assuming you are dealing with an uncomplicated stomach ache, these remedies can help bring relief from the pain and discomfort that’s making you miserable. Read more about it at Everyday Roots.