Your stomach may hurt when you wake up in the morning due to indigestion, IBS, IBD, constipation, acid reflux, GERD, a food allergy, pancreatitis, a peptic ulcer, period pain, gastritis, diverticulitis, or gallstones. Speak to a doctor if the pain doesn't go away or if it was severe enough to wake you up from sleep.
Try putting a heating pad or hot towel on your abdomen. The heat can help relax the muscles and relieve cramping. Taking a hot shower or bath with Epsom salts may also help. If the stomach pain is persistent, try sticking to the basics with the “BRAT” diet – that is, bananas, rice, applesauce and toast.
Can stress or anxiety cause stomach pain? Absolutely. Stress and anxiety are common causes of stomach pain and other GI symptoms.
When you have it, you may feel: Cramping, churning, tightness, or knots in the stomach. “Butterflies” in the stomach feeling. Shivering, shaking, or twitching of muscles.
If you experience stomach pains on a regular basis, you may have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). IBS is a common condition and can cause cramping, bloating, gas, diarrhea and/or constipation. IBS is a chronic condition that needs long-term management. Managing diet and stress can help keep your symptoms under control.
Common stress-related gut symptoms and conditions include:
diarrhea. constipation. loss of appetite. unnatural hunger.
Gastrointestinal function is particularly influenced by stress. Common gastrointestinal symptoms due to stress are heartburn, indigestion, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, constipation and associated lower abdominal pain. These symptoms and the alterations in intestinal function that cause them are becoming understood.
Anxiety also triggers the release of the stress hormone cortisol. This causes the body to produce extra levels of stomach acid. This acidity irritates the esophagus lining, leading to belly pain, nausea, vomiting, and in severe cases, stress-induced ulcers.
Morning anxiety has a biological cause: Cortisol, often called the “stress hormone,” is higher during the first hour after waking for people experiencing stress. Sometimes people feel a measure of control when they worry, so they have trouble stopping the cycle.
Anxiety is common for those who have heart disease, diabetes, cancer, asthma, hypertension, and other serious health-related issues. Waking up with anxiety in the middle of the night or in the morning can be common when you have a serious medical condition.
Light, fibre-rich foods first
Such fruits include apples, pears, strawberries, bananas and avocados, and vegetables like beets, broccoli and carrot. Low-acid fruits like watermelon, cantaloupe and honeydew are also ideal for sensitive stomachs.
Nausea – A significant number of people with IBS experience nausea, most often first thing in the morning. This symptom often accompanies constipation and may be relieved by having a bowel movement.
Call your doctor if you have any of these digestive symptoms: Chronic or unusual abdominal pain. Persistent or severe heartburn. Difficulty swallowing.
Persistent diarrhea. Abdominal pain. Rectal bleeding/bloody stools. Weight loss.
Red flags that raise suspicion of serious pathology
Confusion/impaired consciousness. Signs of shock. Systemically unwell/septic-looking. Signs of dehydration.
Indigestion — also called dyspepsia or an upset stomach — is discomfort in your upper abdomen. Indigestion describes certain symptoms, such as abdominal pain and a feeling of fullness soon after you start eating, rather than a specific disease. Indigestion can also be a symptom of various digestive diseases.
There are many possible causes of stomach churning, including indigestion, stress and anxiety, and taking certain medications. Stomach churning often only causes temporary discomfort before resolving without treatment. However, this symptom can sometimes be a sign of an underlying health issue.
Get medical help immediately if: You have abdominal pain that is very sharp, severe, and sudden. You also have pain in the chest, neck, or shoulder. You're vomiting blood, have bloody diarrhea, or have black, tarry stools (melena).
What Is Morning Anxiety? Morning anxiety isn't a formal mental health diagnosis. However, morning anxiety is described as an overall feeling of dread, stress, and worry when you wake up in the morning. This is a common issue for many and this type of anxiety may occur occasionally or on a more regular basis.