Stomach Burning Sensation Causes, Symptoms And Treatment For Stomach Burning
Learn about the common causes of stomach burning sensations, including acid reflux and ulcers, and explore effective treatments to alleviate discomfort and improve digestive health.
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Last updated on 3rd Jul, 2025
Stomach burning is a frequent but bothersome problem that has roots hiding in indigestion, acid reflux, and excessive stress. It comes across as a persisting distressing feeling in the chest or abdomen, accompanied by nausea and bloating. While occasional stomach burning is accepted, the prevalence of this condition is a cause of concern. It then asks for medical intervention to figure out the underlying reasons. So, understanding the causes, symptoms, and other aspects of stomach burning is essential to develop a cure for it.
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
GERD is a condition caused by irregularity of the lower oesophageal sphincter, a muscle at the border between the oesophagus and stomach. When this muscle malfunctions, stomach contents, such as digestive acids, flow back to the oesophagus, where they cause damage.
Some of the symptoms are burning, pain in the backside, backwash of foods, or sour liquid, and swallowing problems. Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, has risk factors in lifestyle habits, obesity, pregnancy, and smoking.
How GERD Causes a Burning Sensation?
The feeling of discomfort caused by GERD is ordinarily referred to as heartburn. It occurs when stomach acid irritates the inner lining of the oesophagus. When acid refluxes into the oesophagus, it leads to a burning feeling in the chest or upper abdomen. It commonly worsens after eating and when individuals bend or lie down. Stomach acid reflux may cause inflammation of the oesophagus, a condition known as esophagitis that intensifies the burning feeling.
Diet and Lifestyle Factors
Dietary and behavioural changes can cause a burning sensation. Here is a look at the factors that contribute to this discomfort:
Spicy Foods: Irritate the stomach lining
Fatty and Fried Foods: Slow digestion slightly causes acid reflux in the body
Caffeine and Carbonated Beverages: LES relaxation, which enhances reflux
Alcohol: It ends up irritating the stomach lining and subsequently compromises the working of the LES
Acidic Foods: Relatively raise stomach acidity and cause discomfort
Additionally, some lifestyle habits also act as a trigger for stomach burning. Here is how –
Overeating: Pressures the LES or the lower oesophageal sphincte.
Eating Close to Bedtime: Promotes acid reflux
Smoking: Reduces the tone of the LES and increases acid
Stress: It affects digestion and has a high capacity to be sensitive to acids
Medications and Stomach Burning
Some drugs should cause inflammation of the stomach and a burning effect. Here’s the list:
NSAIDs: Damages the mucous membranes of the stomach.
Antibiotics: Aid in the development of esophagitis and, consequently, heartburn.Iron Supplements: Causes gastrointestinal problems in people who are infected by the human immunodeficiency virus.
Potassium Supplements: Can cause stomach discomfort.
Tricyclic Antidepressants: Relax the LES, promoting acid reflux.
However, individuals can easily manage medication-induced stomach burning by consulting their physician. Depending on the current condition, doctors will prescribe alternatives and antacids to combat it.
Additionally, patients need to drink more water, eat healthy food and exercise every day to reduce the chances of stomach burning.
Stress and Its Impact on Digestion
Stress results in a high production of acid in the stomach and weakens its lining, causing stomach acidity and burning. It accelerates the production of stomach acids, which may irritate the walls of the stomach, causing that burning sensation. Also, stress lowers the production of mucus over the stomach lining, making it vulnerable to damage.
Here is how to manage stress-related discomfort:
Deep Breathing: Helps to practice stress-free time and have a good rest
Mindfulness: Helps manage stress levels
Exercise: This is good for your digestion and helps to relieve stress
Adequate Sleep: Improves the qualities related to stress and digestion processes
Diagnosis of Stomach Burning
The first step in diagnosing stomach burning is assessing the patient's medical history. The doctor will check for existing conditions and ask if the individual has a family history of digestive disorders.
After that, the doctors ask the patients to opt for some laboratory tests for a detailed diagnosis:
Blood tests for infections or anaemia
Screening abnormalities using X-rays or ultrasounds
Endoscopy to look at the inner lining of the stomach
Breath/Stool Tests to determine infections such as Helicobacter pylori infection
Based on the results of these tests and the initial diagnosis, doctors establish the causes ofstomach burning and decide on a treatment plan. But when should one visit the doctor?
Individuals should consult a healthcare provider if they experience:
Mild to moderate pain and discomfort that may persist for several days or weeks
Intense pain, high fever
Vomiting blood, passing black or tarry stools, losing weight, difficulty swallowing food
Treatment Options
Stomach burning can be effectively managed through changes in lifestyle, alterations in diet, and the use of medication as needed.
1. Dietary Adjustments:
Avoid spicy, fatty, fried foods and drinks containing caffeine and alcohol.
Opt for multiple tiny meals in a day, as this lowers the pressure on the stomach and releases fewer acids at a given time.
Try going to bed after 2 to 3 hours following a meal to avoid muscle contraction that brings acid into the oesophagus.
2. Lifestyle Modifications:
Avoid being overweight because this leads to too much pressure on the stomach.
Improve food habits and avoid smoking as it weakens the lower oesophageal sphincter.
3. Medical Treatment
Over-the-Counter Antacids: Drugs like Tums and Maalox help counteract the acid and give relief.
H2 Blockers: Non-acid blockers, such as ranitidine, suppress the production of stomach acid for the long term.
Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs): Omeprazole, for instance, affects the amount of acid produced and is good for the stomach lining.
Antibiotics: Antibiotics can wipe out H. pylori in the body.
Prevention Strategies
To prevent stomach burning, one should adopt a healthy lifestyle and diet. Here are some key strategies:
1. Preventive Dietary Habits
Avoid Trigger Foods: Avoid spicy foods, fatty foods, fried foods, caffeine, alcohol, and other forms of stimulants.
Incorporate Alkaline Foods: Bananas, melons, cauliflower, fennel, and nuts help to neutralise stomach acid.
2. Lifestyle Adjustments to Avoid Stomach Burning
Maintain a healthy weight
Avoid smoking
Manage stress
Exercise regularly
Complications of Untreated Stomach Burning
The potential risks of ignoring the symptoms of stomach burning are:
Peptic ulcers
Gerd
Esophageal strictures
Barrett's oesophagus
The long-term health implications of this stomach burning when left untreated are:
Gastric Cancer
Anaemia
Perforation
Conclusion
To sum up, stomach burning can be caused by different conditions, such as indigestion, ulcers, and food intolerance. So, it is crucial to diagnose and treat it before it leads to peptic ulcers, GERD, and also strictures in the oesophagus. Any person with ongoing symptoms should seek medical attention for proper assessment and treatment. Timely intervention paired with the right lifestyle choices and medications can help people get better and live a peaceful life.
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