Nerves in the stomach: what are they, symptoms, and how to control them?

Anxiety can result in a strong discomfort in the pit of the stomach. What to do?

The conflicts, worries and responsibilities of everyday life can generate certain levels of stress and anxiety that can manifest themselves in very different and curious ways. One of them is through nerves in the stomach..

Traditionally it has been said that our stomach is our second brain due to the large number of neurons linked to our digestive system, so it is logical to think that an overload of worries and negative emotions ends up manifesting itself through this type of abdominal pain.

What are the nerves in the stomach?

Daily anxieties and worries can come to be reflected in the form of physical symptoms. One of these symptoms is the stomach nerves. Anxiety states or very emotionally charged experiences can cause discomfort in the area popularly known as the "pit of the stomach". can cause discomfort in the area popularly known as the "pit of the stomach"..

This pain can become stabbing and highly annoying, causing a general discomfort that is very difficult to make disappear. Because they are a real nuisance, it is very important to know what thoughts and situations provoke them, as well as to learn how to manage them in cases where they appear continuously.

What is the cause?

As we mentioned earlier, states of anxiety and high stress are the main reason for the appearance of these nerves in the stomach. These states of emotional alterations are factors caused by worries, concerns and nerves that have their origin in the stomach.worries, concerns and nerves that have their origin in our cognition. That is to say, in our thoughts and in the way we deal with situations or problems.

The cognitive symptoms of anxiety usually manifest themselves in the form of intrusive thoughts and ideas, constant worries and feelings of distress. Over time, these thoughts can seriously interfere with our mood as they become the sole focus of our mind.

In addition, these thoughts not only act on our mind or mood, but, if we do not solve them, they can affect us physically through a process called somatization..

Somatization is the unconscious capacity to convert psychological symptoms or disorders into organic and functional symptoms. That is to say, in physical symptoms. Through this process we can observe how our mind and our body are closely linked and that a serious discomfort or alteration in one will manifest itself irremediably in the other.

In the specific case of nerves in the stomach, when these states of anxiety and stress turn into emotions, these usually provoke the physical symptoms typical of this alteration: stomach pains and discomfort..

In what situations do they appear?

There is no specific situation or experience that causes this discomfort to emerge. there are several circumstances that can give rise to the nerves in the stomach.

As a response to a specific stimulus

Throughout our life we will have to face different specific situations in which nerves and stress can play tricks on us. Examination periods, job interviews or the time prior to the delivery of medical results, are situations in which the appearance of nervousness in the stomach is considered perfectly normal.

In these situations our body is activated in response to a stimulus that makes us uneasy. However, this nerve pain in the stomach will disappear as soon as it is over. will disappear as soon as the feared situation is over or disappears..

2. Chronic states of anxiety and stress

The most disturbing and disabling stomach nerves are those caused by chronic anxiety and stress.

When negative emotions are permanently installed and nerves appear in the stomach, stomach discomfort does not go away, so it is vital to carry out actions that will help the patient to feel better. it is of vital importance to carry out actions that improve our psychological health and thus, also eliminate the and thus also eliminate the associated physical discomfort.

7 guidelines to relieve this discomfort

Fortunately, even in the most incapacitating cases of stomach nerves, there are actions a person can take to alleviate or even eliminate them completely.

Below you will find several suggestions to calm or eliminate nervous stomach discomfort.

1. Try to control anxiety

It has already been made clear on numerous occasions that the first and foremost cause of stomach nerves is anxiety and stress, caused by constant worries in relation to any subject.

For this reason, one of the first steps to take is to try to detect which are the thoughts and worries that generate these negative states and then try to modify or solve them.

Given that, in cases where anxiety has become chronic, it can be really complicated to do this mental work by oneself; it is highly recommended to to go to a specialist in mental health to help us in this work..

2. To avoid the stress of the day to day

Although it may seem easier said than done, a good organization of the day can help us prioritize what is important and leave us free time to relax and escape. In this way we will spend our days much more relaxed, with a more peaceful life and the daily demands will wear us down to a lesser extent.

3. Breathing and relaxation exercises

Given that our objective is to lead a much calmer and peaceful life, learning to breathe correctly and to relax can be of great help to us.

Doing abdominal breathing, using the muscles located in the stomach area will help us to oxygenate in a better way and to feel relaxed during the day.

In the same way, in occasions in which the anxiety or the stress begin to overcome us, to carry out relaxation exercises in calm atmospheres and by means of slow and deep breathing will also be highly effective in reducing the levels of activation of our organism.

4. Control what we eat

High-calorie foods, excess carbohydrates and stimulating foods and drinks can only further aggravate our state of discomfort and gastric pain.

Therefore, both in the moments when our stomach nerves affect us, and throughout our lives, it is of vital importance to maintain a varied and balanced dietto help us to have a light digestion and not to force our Gastrointestinal system.

5. Performing relaxing physical exercise

There are numerous disciplines of physical exercise such as yoga or pilates that, in addition to having countless physical benefits, will help us to keep us in a calm and relaxed mental state.

Through these exercises we can relieve both physical and mental tension and help us to improve in many aspects of our lives. By performing a few simple exercises we will quickly notice how this tension decreases and the nerves in the stomach are relieved. and the nerves of the stomach are relieved and even disappear.

6. Pleasant activities

If our thing is not the physical exercise, we can dedicate a space of time every day to realize activities that we like, relax and are pleasant to us. Painting, crafts or reading can help us to disconnect.

In the same way, outdoor activities can also be highly beneficial in reducing stress levels. in reducing stress levels.

7. Relaxing drinks and herbal teas

In the event that the pain associated with stomach nerves has already made its appearance, there are many natural remedies in the form of herbal teas and infusions that can help us to reduce the intensity of these discomforts. Some of these infusions are:

• Chamomile.
• Passionflower.
• Lemon balm.
• Aniseed.
• Clove.
• Lime blossom and mint.
• St. John's wort or St. John's wort.
• Infusion of valerian.