Signs your upset stomach isn’t normal

WE’VE all had our fair share of upset stomachs, and while a majority of these are linked to stress or something that was eaten, sometimes these abdominal pains can come out of nowhere causing you great pain and discomfort. Regardless of the source of your upset stomach, internist Dr Jomo James says that in some cases they warrant a trip to the doctor. But how do know when?“The stomach, in the true sense, is that part of the digestive tract located in the abdomen (belly) that is responsible for the initial accumulation and digestion of food eaten,” Dr James said.He said most Jamaicans refer to “the stomach” as the entire soft area of the belly just below the ribs, but underlying this area are other organs other than the true stomach, most important of which are the liver, gall bladder, large blood vessels, small intestines, pancreas and spleen.Dr James describes an upset stomach as usually referring to pain or discomfort in this general area. This pain is oftentimes accompanied by other symptoms such as:1. Nausea and vomiting2. Burping3. Heartburn4. Bloating5. Feeling full too quickly when you just started eating.“The majority of the time any discomfort in that area is related to and specific to the stomach itself. These range from irritation from something you ate (food poisoning), a sore or ulcer on the stomach, or reflux disease in which the food heads up towards your mouth instead of downwards,” Dr James underscored.“Another common disorder that leads to an upset stomach, especially in women, involves the gall bladder and gallstones formation. For men, it usually involves pancreas inflammation associated with excessive alcohol intake,” Dr James said.He said that other organs that may be involved in an upset stomach include the liver, the usual source being inflammation, and the small intestines that could be linked to gastroenteritis.Most upset stomachs and discomfort are transient, without any need for medical attention or evaluation. However, Dr James says that there are instances when medical attention is warranted.He said that red flags include:1. You have bloody bowel movements, diarrhoea, or vomiting2. Your pain is severe and lasts more than an hour or comes and goes for more than 24 hours.3. You cannot eat or drink for hours4. You have a fever higher than 102°F (39°C). This suggests inflammation of underlying organs.5. You lose a lot of weight or lose interest in food. Significant weight loss is losing more than five per cent of your usual weight in six months.6. You have an obvious swelling in the stomach.7. Persistent vomiting, especially if green-coloured8. Persistent constipation9. Vomiting within minutes after eating.10. If an upset stomach is accompanied by yellowing of the eyes (jaundice).“These signs and symptoms should prompt you to seek medical attention for evaluation, as they may point to more serious underlying conditions rather than just a simple upset stomach,” Dr James warned.