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

April 5, 2024

The conflicts, concerns and responsibilities of day to day, can generate certain levels of stress and anxiety that can manifest 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 through this type of abdominal pain.

Related article: "The 7 types of anxiety (causes and symptoms)"

What are the nerves in the stomach?

Daily anxieties and worries can be reflected in the form of physical symptoms. One of these symptoms are the nerves of the stomach. Anxiety states or experiences with a very high emotional load can cause discomfort in the area popularly called "mouth of the stomach" .

This pain can get stinging and highly annoying, causing a general malaise that costs a lot to make disappear. Because they pose a real nuisance, it is very important to know what thoughts and situations cause them, as well as learn to manage them in cases where they appear continuously.

What is the cause?

As mentioned previously, the states of anxiety and high stress are the main reason that causes the appearance of these nerves in the stomach. These states of emotional disturbances are factors caused by concerns , anxieties and nerves that have their origin in our cognition. That is, in our thoughts and in the way we have to face situations or problems.

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

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

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

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

In what situations do they appear?

There is no concrete situation or experience that brings out this discomfort, but rather There are several circumstances that can lead to nerves in the stomach .

1. In response to a specific stimulus

Throughout our lives we will have to make fronts to different concrete situations in which nerves and stress can play tricks on us. Times of exams, job interviews or the moment before the delivery of medical results, are situations in which the appearance of nerves in the stomach is considered as something perfectly normal.

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

2. Chronic anxiety and stress states

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

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

You may be interested: "Chronic stress: causes, symptoms and treatment"

7 guidelines to alleviate this discomfort

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

Below you will find several suggestions to calm or eliminate 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 the states of 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 what are the thoughts and concerns generated by these negative states, and then try to modify them or put a solution to them.

Since, in cases in which anxiety has become chronic, it can be really complicated to perform this mental work for oneself; It is highly recommended go to a mental health specialist to help us in this task .

2. Avoid the stress of day to day

Although it seems easier to say than to do, a good organization of the day can help us prioritize the important and leave us free time to relax and evade. In this way we will spend the days much more relaxed, with a calmer life and the daily demands wear us out to a lesser extent.

3. Breathing and relaxation exercises

Since our goal is to lead a much calmer and quieter pace of life, learning how to breathe properly and how to relax can be very helpful.

Perform abdominal breathing, using the muscles located in the gut area will help us oxygenate better and feel relaxed during the day.

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

4. Control what we eat

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

So, both the moments that affect the nerves in our stomach, and throughout our lives, it is vital to keep a varied and balanced diet , that helps us to make light digestions and not to force 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 innumerable physical benefits, will help keep us in a calm and relaxed state of mind.

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

6. Pleasant activities

If ours is not physical exercise, we can dedicate a space of time each day to carry out activities that we like, relax and find pleasurable. Painting, crafts or reading can help us to 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 case that the pain associated with the nerves of the stomach has already made its appearance, there are many natural remedies in the form of tisanes and infusions that can help us reduce the intensity of these discomforts. Some of these infusions are: