Nerves in the Stomach: What They Are, Symptoms, and How to Control Them

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 be reflected in the form of physical symptoms. One of these symptoms is stomach nerves. Anxiety states or experiences with a very high emotional charge They can cause discomfort in the area popularly called the “mouth of the stomach.”

This pain can be sharp and highly annoying, causing general discomfort that is difficult to make go away. Because they are a real nuisance, it is very important to know what thoughts and situations provoke them, as well as learn to manage them in cases where they continually appear.

What is the cause?

As we mentioned previously, states of anxiety and high stress are the main reason that causes the appearance of these nerves in the stomach. These states of emotional disturbance are factors caused by worries, concerns and nerves that have their origin in our cognition. That is, in our thoughts and in the way we face 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 since they become the only focus of our mind.

Furthermore, 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 ability to convert psychological symptoms or disorders into organic and functional symptoms. That is, in physical symptoms. Through this process we can observe how our mind and ourselves are closely linked and that a serious discomfort or alteration in one will inevitably manifest itself in the other.

In the specific case of the nerves in the stomach, when these states of anxiety and stress become emotions, they usually cause the physical symptoms of this alteration: stomach aches and pains

In what situations do they appear?

There is no specific situation or experience that brings out this discomfort, but rather There are several circumstances that can give rise to nerves in the stomach

1. In response to a specific stimulus

Throughout our lives we will have to face different specific situations in which nerves and stress can play tricks on us. Exam times, job interviews or the moment before medical results are delivered, are situations in which the appearance of nerves in the stomach is considered something perfectly normal.

In these situations our body is activated in response to a stimulus that worries us. However, this pain caused by nerves in the stomach will disappear as soon as the feared situation ends or disappears

2. Chronic anxiety and stress states

The most disturbing and disabling nerves in the stomach are those caused by states of chronic anxiety and stress.

When negative emotions settle permanently and nerves appear in the stomach, stomach discomfort does not disappear, so It is vitally important to carry out actions that improve our state of psychological health and thus, also eliminate the associated physical discomfort.

7 guidelines to alleviate this discomfort

Luckily, even in the most disabling cases of nerves in the stomach, there are actions that a person can take to relieve them or even eliminate them completely.

Below you will find several suggestions to calm or eliminate the nerves in the stomach.

1. Try to control anxiety

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

For this reason, one of the first steps to take is to try to detect the thoughts and concerns that generate these negative states and then try to modify them or find a solution to them.

Since, in cases where anxiety has become chronic, it can be really difficult to do this mental work on your own; It is highly recommended go to a mental health specialist to help us in this work

2. Avoid everyday stress

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

3. Breathing and relaxation exercises

Since our goal is to lead a much calmer and more peaceful pace of life, learning to breathe correctly and relax can be of great help.

Performing abdominal breaths, using the muscles located in the belly area, will help us to oxygenate ourselves better and feel relaxed during the day.

In the same way, on occasions when anxiety or stress begins to overcome us, perform relaxation exercises in calm environments and through slow, deep breaths It will also be highly effective in reducing the activation levels of our body.

4. Control what we eat

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

Therefore, both at the times when the nerves in the stomach affect us, and throughout our lives, it is vitally important to maintain a varied and balanced diet which helps us digest lightly and not strain our gastrointestinal system.

5. Perform 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 stay in a calm and relaxed state of mind.

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

6. Pleasurable activities

If physical exercise is not our thing, we can dedicate a period of time each day to doing activities that we like, relax us and find pleasurable. Painting, crafts or reading can help us disconnect.

In the same way, Outdoor activities can also be highly beneficial when it comes to reducing stress levels.

7. Relaxing drinks and infusions

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