Waking Up With Stomach Pain? Here's What Your Body's Trying to Tell You

Stomach pain when you wake can be caused by GERD, ulcers and more.
Image Credit: Jelena Stanojkovic/iStock/GettyImages

Waking up with stomach pain is not only uncomfortable, but possibly anxiety-inducing. You may find yourself spiraling as you try to determine whether the cause is merely something you ate or a sign that something is seriously wrong.

Advertisement

If you've ruled out the usual causes — an urge to relieve yourself, an empty stomach signaling it's time for breakfast, gas and ordinary heartburn — another condition may be at play.

Video of the Day

Video of the Day

Here, Ronald Omino, MD, a gastroenterologist at UCLA Health Services, explains why you might wake up with abdominal pain, and what to do when it happens.

Warning

Talk to a doctor right away if your morning stomach pain is accompanied by other symptoms like fever, nausea, vomiting, severe pain or rigidity or the inability to pass gas or a bowel movement. These can be signs of life-threatening GI conditions, Dr. Omino says.

1. You Have GERD

If you wake up often with heartburn, the taste of acid in your mouth or gnawing, sharp abdominal pain, you may have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), or chronic, severe acid reflux. GERD occurs when your lower esophageal sphincter (the flap between the bottom of your esophagus and the top of your stomach that prevents digestive juices from flowing upward) becomes weak or relaxes when it shouldn't. (GERD could also be to blame if you have lower abdominal pain when lying down.)

A healthy esophageal sphincter will keep digestive acids in your stomach when you lie down. But when you have GERD, digestive acids flow in the wrong direction, resulting in gastric distress, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Signs that GERD is causing your morning stomach pain, according to Dr. Omino, include:

  • Heartburn and burning in the chest or upper abdomen
  • Regurgitation, or the feeling of bringing up food, liquid or other contents of your stomach into your mouth or throat
  • Difficulty swallowing

Advertisement

Fix It

“If you experience any of these symptoms, try taking an acid-reducing medication, such as a histamine type 2 receptor antagonist (or H2 blockers) like famotidine or antacids like Tums,” Dr. Omino says. Consult with a primary care doctor or gastroenterologist if symptoms persist or worsen.

To prevent waking up with reflux, Dr. Omino recommends these lifestyle changes:

  • Maintain a weight recommended by doctors
  • Avoid trigger foods (e.g., acidic foods, spicy foods, citrus fruits, chocolate, coffee, onions, mint and carbonated beverages)
  • Avoid eating at least two to three hours before going to sleep
  • Elevate your head at night with an extra pillow to let gravity help keep digestive juices down
  • Eat small, frequent meals throughout the day
  • Avoid alcohol and tobacco, especially before bed

2. You're Constipated

If you wake up in the morning with lower abdominal pain (or generalized abdominal pain or discomfort), think back to the last time you had a regular bowel movement. You might be constipated.

Constipation is more than going a few days without pooping: Other symptoms of constipation include, per the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK):

Advertisement

Advertisement

Fix It

Dr. Omino suggests eating a nutritious diet, drinking plenty of fluids and exercising regularly. “Treatment can be as simple as making nutritious lifestyle changes, such as increasing fiber and fluid intake."

While constipation medication can also be used if needed, it’s best to consult with your primary care doctor or gastroenterologist before taking an over-the-counter remedy for constipation.

Related Reading

3. You Have a Stomach Ulcer

"Peptic ulcer disease, also known as a stomach ulcer, can present as acute or chronic abdominal pain generally in the upper abdomen," Dr. Omino says.

Advertisement

Peptic ulcers are open sores that develop on the inner lining of your stomach and upper portion of your small intestine, per the Mayo Clinic. Ulcer pain can occur a few hours after eating (when the body is producing more acid), or on an empty stomach, leading to burning abdominal pain in the morning.

The most common causes of peptic ulcers include, per Dr. Omino:

Advertisement

  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAIDs) overuse
  • Infection from Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacteria

Left untreated, a peptic ulcer can lead to upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. See a doctor right away if you see bright red blood in the stool or black stool, Dr. Omino says. A doctor will evaluate your upper GI tract with an upper endoscopy procedure to confirm a diagnosis.

Advertisement

Fix It

Peptic ulcers are treated based on their cause. If the cause is NSAID overuse, discontinue use immediately, Dr. Omino says. If the cause is bacterial (H. pylori or others), antibiotics may be prescribed, along with medications to minimize acid production and protect the lining of the stomach.

Try eating foods that do not cause peptic ulcer flare-ups. Avoid tobacco and alcohol while treating ulcers, according to the Mayo Clinic.

4. You Have IBS

If you often wake up with nausea and a sudden urge to poop, you may have irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS.

When it comes to IBS, the doctor's old saying, "it's not ‌what‌ you're eating, but ‌what's eating you‌," can apply. In other words, IBS is a functional gastrointestinal disorder — meaning it's related to problems with your gut-brain connection, or how the gut and brain work together, per the NIDDK. A malfunction in this connection can cause your gut to feel sensitive, altering how the muscles in your bowel contract.

Advertisement

Research suggests a link between IBS and mental health conditions like anxiety and depression. In one December 2021 review in General Psychiatry, people with IBS were more likely to have moderate and severe depression and anxiety than people without IBS.

Symptoms of IBS can include abdominal pain and bloating, as well as changes in your bowel movements, including diarrhea and/or constipation.

Fix It

Doctors may treat IBS by recommending diet changes (such as following a low-FODMAP diet, which involves avoiding foods with dairy, wheat, artificial sweeteners and certain fruits and vegetables) and lifestyle changes including medication, probiotics and mental health treatment, per the NIDDK.

When to See a Doctor

If your morning stomach pain is severe or accompanied by fever, nausea, vomiting, jaundice or inability to pass gas or poop, talk to your doctor as soon as you can, Dr. Omino says. And that goes for any time of day, not just after waking up.

These symptoms could be signs of serious GI conditions like appendicitis, diverticulitis or pancreatitis, according to Dr. Omino, or other non-GI concerns. Your doctor can help you narrow down the causes and evaluate your treatment options.

references

Is this an emergency? If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, please see the National Library of Medicine’s list of signs you need emergency medical attention or call 911.

universo-virtual.com
buytrendz.net
thisforall.net
benchpressgains.com
qthzb.com
mindhunter9.com
dwjqp1.com
secure-signup.net
ahaayy.com
soxtry.com
tressesindia.com
puresybian.com
krpano-chs.com
cre8workshop.com
hdkino.org
peixun021.com
qz786.com
utahperformingartscenter.org
maw-pr.com
zaaksen.com
ypxsptbfd7.com
worldqrmconference.com
shangyuwh.com
eejssdfsdfdfjsd.com
playminecraftfreeonline.com
trekvietnamtour.com
your-business-articles.com
essaywritingservice10.com
hindusamaaj.com
joggingvideo.com
wandercoups.com
onlinenewsofindia.com
worldgraphic-team.com
bnsrz.com
wormblaster.net
tongchengchuyange0004.com
internetknowing.com
breachurch.com
peachesnginburlesque.com
dataarchitectoo.com
clientfunnelformula.com
30pps.com
cherylroll.com
ks2252.com
webmanicura.com
osostore.com
softsmob.com
sofietsshotel.com
facetorch.com
nylawyerreview.com
apapromotions.com
shareparelli.com
goeaglepointe.com
thegreenmanpubphuket.com
karotorossian.com
publicsensor.com
taiwandefence.com
epcsur.com
odskc.com
inzziln.info
leaiiln.info
cq-oa.com
dqtianshun.com
southstills.com
tvtv98.com
thewellington-hotel.com
bccaipiao.com
colectoresindustrialesgs.com
shenanddcg.com
capriartfilmfestival.com
replicabreitlingsale.com
thaiamarinnewtoncorner.com
gkmcww.com
mbnkbj.com
andrewbrennandesign.com
cod54.com
luobinzhang.com
bartoysdirect.com
taquerialoscompadresdc.com
aaoodln.info
amcckln.info
drvrnln.info
dwabmln.info
fcsjoln.info
hlonxln.info
kcmeiln.info
kplrrln.info
fatcatoons.com
91guoys.com
signupforfreehosting.com
faithfirst.net
zjyc28.com
tongchengjinyeyouyue0004.com
nhuan6.com
oldgardensflowers.com
lightupthefloor.com
bahamamamas-stjohns.com
ly2818.com
905onthebay.com
fonemenu.com
notanothermovie.com
ukrainehighclassescort.com
meincmagazine.com
av-5858.com
yallerdawg.com
donkeythemovie.com
corporatehospitalitygroup.com
boboyy88.com
miteinander-lernen.com
dannayconsulting.com
officialtomsshoesoutletstore.com
forsale-amoxil-amoxicillin.net
generictadalafil-canada.net
guitarlessonseastlondon.com
lesliesrestaurants.com
mattyno9.com
nri-homeloans.com
rtgvisas-qatar.com
salbutamolventolinonline.net
sportsinjuries.info
topsedu.xyz
xmxm7.com
x332.xyz
sportstrainingblog.com
autopartspares.com
readguy.net
soniasegreto.com
bobbygdavis.com
wedsna.com
rgkntk.com
bkkmarketplace.com
zxqcwx.com
breakupprogram.com
boxcardc.com
unblockyoutubeindonesia.com
fabulousbookmark.com
beat-the.com
guatemala-sailfishing-vacations-charters.com
magie-marketing.com
kingstonliteracy.com
guitaraffinity.com
eurelookinggoodapparel.com
howtolosecheekfat.net
marioncma.org
oliviadavismusic.com
shantelcampbellrealestate.com
shopleborn13.com
topindiafree.com
v-visitors.net
qazwsxedcokmijn.com
parabis.net
terriesandelin.com
luxuryhomme.com
studyexpanse.com
ronoom.com
djjky.com
053hh.com
originbluei.com
baucishotel.com
33kkn.com
intrinsiqresearch.com
mariaescort-kiev.com
mymaguk.com
sponsored4u.com
crimsonclass.com
bataillenavale.com
searchtile.com
ze-stribrnych-struh.com
zenithalhype.com
modalpkv.com
bouisset-lafforgue.com
useupload.com
37r.net
autoankauf-muenster.com
bantinbongda.net
bilgius.com
brabustermagazine.com
indigrow.org
miicrosofts.net
mysmiletravel.com
selinasims.com
spellcubesapp.com
usa-faction.com
snn01.com
hope-kelley.com
bancodeprofissionais.com
zjccp99.com
liturgycreator.com
weedsmj.com
majorelenco.com
colcollect.com
androidnews-jp.com
hypoallergenicdogsnames.com
dailyupdatez.com
foodphotographyreviews.com
cricutcom-setup.com
chprowebdesign.com
katyrealty-kanepa.com
tasramar.com
bilgipinari.org
four-am.com
indiarepublicday.com
inquick-enbooks.com
iracmpi.com
kakaschoenen.com
lsm99flash.com
nana1255.com
ngen-niagara.com
technwzs.com
virtualonlinecasino1345.com
wallpapertop.net
nova-click.com
abeautifulcrazylife.com
diggmobile.com
denochemexicana.com
eventhalfkg.com
medcon-taiwan.com
life-himawari.com
myriamshomes.com
nightmarevue.com
allstarsru.com
bestofthebuckeyestate.com
bestofthefirststate.com
bestwireless7.com
declarationintermittent.com
findhereall.com
jingyou888.com
lsm99deal.com
lsm99galaxy.com
moozatech.com
nuagh.com
patliyo.com
philomenamagikz.net
rckouba.net
saturnunipessoallda.com
tallahasseefrolics.com
thematurehardcore.net
totalenvironment-inthatquietearth.com
velislavakaymakanova.com
vermontenergetic.com
sizam-design.com
kakakpintar.com
begorgeouslady.com
1800birks4u.com
2wheelstogo.com
6strip4you.com
bigdata-world.net
emailandco.net
gacapal.com
jharpost.com
krishnaastro.com
lsm99credit.com
mascalzonicampani.com
sitemapxml.org
thecityslums.net
topagh.com
flairnetwebdesign.com
bangkaeair.com
beneventocoupon.com
noternet.org
oqtive.com
smilebrightrx.com
decollage-etiquette.com
1millionbestdownloads.com
7658.info
bidbass.com
devlopworldtech.com
digitalmarketingrajkot.com
fluginfo.net
naqlafshk.com
passion-decouverte.com
playsirius.com
spacceleratorintl.com
stikyballs.com
top10way.com
yokidsyogurt.com
zszyhl.com
16firthcrescent.com
abogadolaboralistamd.com
apk2wap.com
aromacremeria.com
banparacard.com
bosmanraws.com
businessproviderblog.com
caltonosa.com
calvaryrevivalchurch.org
chastenedsoulwithabrokenheart.com
cheminotsgardcevennes.com
cooksspot.com
cqxzpt.com
deesywig.com
deltacartoonmaps.com
despixelsetdeshommes.com
duocoracaobrasileiro.com
fareshopbd.com
goodpainspills.com
kobisitecdn.com
makaigoods.com
mgs1454.com
piccadillyresidences.com
radiolaondafresca.com
rubendorf.com
searchengineimprov.com
sellmyhrvahome.com
shugahouseessentials.com
sonihullquad.com
subtractkilos.com
valeriekelmansky.com
vipasdigitalmarketing.com
voolivrerj.com
zeelonggroup.com
1015southrockhill.com
10x10b.com
111-online-casinos.com
191cb.com
3665arpentunitd.com
aitesonics.com
bag-shokunin.com
brightotech.com
communication-digitale-services.com
covoakland.org
dariaprimapack.com
freefortniteaccountss.com
gatebizglobal.com
global1entertainmentnews.com
greatytene.com
hiroshiwakita.com
iktodaypk.com
jahatsakong.com
meadowbrookgolfgroup.com
newsbharati.net
platinumstudiosdesign.com
slotxogamesplay.com
strikestaruk.com
trucosdefortnite.com
ufabetrune.com
weddedtowhitmore.com
12940brycecanyonunitb.com
1311dietrichoaks.com
2monarchtraceunit303.com
601legendhill.com
850elaine.com
adieusolasomade.com
andora-ke.com
bestslotxogames.com
cannagomcallen.com
endlesslyhot.com
iestpjva.com
ouqprint.com
pwmaplefest.com
qtylmr.com
rb88betting.com
buscadogues.com
1007macfm.com
born-wild.com
growthinvests.com
promocode-casino.com
proyectogalgoargentina.com
wbthompson-art.com
whitemountainwheels.com
7thavehvl.com
developmethis.com
funkydogbowties.com
travelodgegrandjunction.com
gao-town.com
globalmarketsuite.com
blogshippo.com
hdbka.com
proboards67.com
outletonline-michaelkors.com
kalkis-research.com
thuthuatit.net
buckcash.com
hollistercanada.com
docterror.com
asadart.com
vmayke.org
erwincomputers.com
dirimart.org
okkii.com
loteriasdecehegin.com
mountanalog.com
healingtaobritain.com
ttxmonitor.com
bamthemes.com
nwordpress.com
11bolabonanza.com
avgo.top