Whats causing yout tummy troubles?

Why does your stomach hurt? It’s a good question — and a common one. Millions of Americans have at least one type of digestive problem. Some problems come and go, while others can upset your whole life.

There are many different kinds of digestive problems, and that’s part of why it isn’t always easy to get to the cause of them. 

What’s the Trouble?

It’s important to know what’s causing the issue so you can treat it. But the answer may not be so simple to find.

To get to the bottom of what’s causing the problem, you may need to play detective. Paying attention to how you feel — and when — can help. What symptoms are you having and when are you having them? What have you been doing when you have them? What and how much have you been eating or drinking when you have symptoms? Are you stressed out? What medicines are you taking?

Once you have some information gathered about your symptoms, your doctor can help you figure out the problem and what to do.

Two of the common causes of stomach issues are peptic (stomach) ulcers and acid reflux.

Peptic ulcers are sores on the lining of your stomach. The most common symptom is a dull or burning pain in the stomach or upper abdomen, especially when your stomach is empty. Symptoms may also include bloating, nausea, vomiting and low appetite.

Ulcers are usually caused by long-term use of certain medicines or by the H. pylori bacteria. Smoking can also contribute to ulcers and make symptoms worse. Food and drinks cannot cause ulcers, but they can make symptoms worse. Avoid drinking alcohol if you have an ulcer.

Ulcer pain can last for a few minutes or a few hours at a time. The pain will come and go over a period of weeks or months. Eating or taking antacids can briefly lessen the pain.

If you think you may have an ulcer, even if your symptoms are mild, you need to see your doctor. If not treated, an ulcer will continue to get worse. Tests are needed to find out for sure if you have an ulcer.

Ulcers are usually treated with medicine. The medicine that is prescribed depends on the type of ulcer you have.

Heartburn, or acid reflux, is one of the most common stomach issues. It happens when the acid in your stomach meant to break down food comes back up your esophagus and irritates the lining. In many cases, it may be caused by GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease.

A mild case of GERD isn’t generally a cause for worry, and many find relief with over-the-counter (OTC) drugs. Here are some other things you can try on your own:

• Quit smoking.
• Lose weight.
• Cut back on alcohol and carbonated drinks.
• Get more exercise.
• Take steps to lower your stress level.
• Avoid foods or drinks that make your symptoms worse. Try skipping acidic or spicy foods, for example.
• Try to wait two or three hours after eating before you lie down.

If your symptoms are severe or happen often, see your doctor. If it doesn’t get better in a month or two after treatment, it may be time for testing to look for other underlying issues. Two red flags are losing weight and swollen lymph nodes in the neck, belly or shoulders. Tell your doctor right away if you have problems swallowing or have a lot of pain.

Did you know Cylinder is a benefit available to help you maintain a healthy gut. A healthy gut helps maintain overall health, weight management, sleep quality, joint health, how we manage stress and anxiety, and more.

What can Cylinder do for you?

• Provide relief from common digestive issues.
• At-home gut microbiome kit and analysis ($150 value at no cost to you). 
• Relief from stress and anxiety. 
• Virtual visits with physicians. 

Cylinder is available to A&M System employees, spouses, retirees, or dependents (ages 18+) who are enrolled in a A&M care or J Plan. Graduate student employees enrolled in the Grad Plan and retirees enrolled in the 65 Plus Medicare Advantage Plan are not eligible.

To check for eligibility and learn more, visit go.cylinderhealth.com/tamus/. Company code: TAMUS