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There are numerous conditions related to the stomach, one of which is feeling hollow. A hollow sensation in the stomach is one of the common feelings that many people experience in their daily lives.
Usually, the feeling is for a short period, but sometimes due to some medical history or lifestyle, the hollow feeling might stay for a long time and cause discomfort. The longer the hollow pit stomach feeling lasts, it could affect work-life and disturb the sleep schedule.
Hollow stomach feeling doesn’t have any specific symptoms, but it includes vomiting, stomach acid, nausea, tiredness, the false urge to pass the stool, and alteration in appetite. Though many people misrepresent the hollow stomach feeling as only hunger pangs, which have similar sensations, there are other reasons for a hollow stomach. Therefore, it is crucial to diagnose the symptoms and gets the medication accordingly.
There are 5 most common reasons for hollow (pit) stomach feelings:
- Hunger Pangs
One of the most common reasons for a hollow stomach feeling is the gnawing feeling in the stomach at the left upper side of the abdomen, referred to as hunger pangs. The sense includes the contraction of the muscles in the stomach.
Every human body has a specific routine that the stomach is adjusted to. If you are skipping meals or do not have a particular meal routine, the hollow stomach feeling may cause some discomfort until you feed yourself with some food or liquid.
Though hunger pangs do subside after you have your meal, if the food you are having doesn’t have enough nutrients or fiber, the emptiness feeling may arise in a short time even after having food.
Symptoms of hunger pangs include feeling weak or tired most of the time, moderate critical contractions in the stomach, abdominal pain, dizziness, vomiting, light headaches, and nausea.
Treatment:
There is no specific medical treatment for hunger pangs. The only thing that helps in avoiding hunger pangs is consuming meals on time and having healthy food. Consult medical expert professionals if the hunger pangs persist even after a change in diet and the symptoms worsen.
Diet and Lifestyle:
- Eat meals in 2–3 hours in small portions. Make sure to eat snacks or meals with plenty of nutrients — whole grains, lean proteins, green vegetables, legumes, fruits, and pulses. Also, eat more fiber to fill the stomach for a longer time.
- Avoid consuming junk food, frozen food, or high-sugar-content snacks.
- At least 7–8 hours of sleep at night because night sleeps limits the leptin hormone (the hunger hormone) to get activated.
- Drink 7–8 glasses of water every day.
- Gastric
Post-meal foul odor flatulence is a sign of a gastric problem in the stomach. Gastric causes inflammation around the stomach line and lead to stomach aches and a hollow stomach feeling.
Numerous reasons cause gastric problems, including delaying eating meals when they hunger for a long time, which causes stomach acid and bloating, consumption of unhealthy/spicy/oily food, drinking alcohol on an empty stomach, or side effects of medication.
The gastric symptoms include heartburn, abdominal pain, bloating, foul smell flatulence, loss of appetite, hollow stomach feeling, puke green, passing black color stool, and nausea.
Treatment:
Over-the-counter medication before and after meals helps to reduce the development of stomach acid.
Diet and Lifestyle:
- Include a glass of fresh lemon or orange juice in the diet—antioxidants in lemon and orange help relieve gastric problems.
- Cut down the intake of alcohol, carbonated drinks, and spicy, oily, and deep-fried food.
- Include peppermint and ginger in daily diet supplements.
- Add regular exercises (brisk walking, jogging) and yoga to your daily routine; it helps relieve abdominal pain.
- Break meals into 5–6 portions in a day, including green leafy vegetables and pulses in a meal.
- Avoid having fatty food (red meat) and processed food.
- Indigestion (dyspepsia)
Indigestion is also known as an abnormal digestion condition or dyspepsia. Indigestion symptoms include upper abdomen pain, bloating, loss of appetite, urge to vomit, hollow stomach feeling, sour taste while burping, and nausea.
Indigestion happens due to changes in lifestyle, overeating, high amount of carbonated beverages or alcohol, oily/spicy food, high amount of tobacco consumption, anxiety, or reaction due to some antibiotics or medication.
If indigestion is left untreated, it may cause chronic constipation, thyroid, intestinal ischemia, gallstones, or pancreas swelling.
Treatment:
- Drinking ginger and water or tea helps to soothe the stomach and reduce the pain caused by indigestion. Alternate option: keep sucking on ginger candy in small portions twice or thrice a day.
- Over-the-counter medication — antacids, helps in reducing stomach acids.
Diet and Lifestyle:
- Avoid having acidic vegetables and fruits such as — tomatoes, and oranges.
- Do not consume spicy, highly preserved, oily, or fatty food.
- Cut down on caffeine and tobacco intake.
- Chew food carefully, do not swallow anything.
- It is highly recommended to have high-fiber food and a BRAT diet (banana, rice, apple, and toast) daily.
- Keep yourself hydrated all day.
- Include light exercises daily and avoid exercise right after having a meal.
- Mixing 1 tbsp lemon/lime juice in water with 1 tsp of baking soda helps in improving stomach bloating, intestinal function smoothly, and improve liver condition.
- Include cinnamon, cumin, and cloves in food. These ingredients are known for antimicrobial substances and antioxidants, which help in relieving indigestion.
- Anxiety, Depression, Stress, and Insomnia
Hollowness in the stomach can be caused by three major underlying psychological issues — anxiety (nervousness), stress, and depression. When you are in a stressful moment, the human body releases a chemical that interferes with the digestion system and decreases the anti-bodies production in the body.
If anxiety, stress, or depression happens more than the human body can handle, it either creates some medical issues in the body or aggravates the pre-existing disease. The person with indigestion or gastric issues, stress, hyper anxiety, and depression adopts unhealthy or irregular eating habits, adding more stomach issues.
Anxiety, depression, and stress symptoms vary from solid knots in the stomach, heavy or scare breathing patterns, deep hollow stomach feeling, tightness in body mussels, fear, loss of appetite, constipation, lumps in the throat, urge to throw up, headaches, and insomnia.
Treatment:
In major cases of high anxiety, stress, or depression, seeking expert health practitioner help is highly recommended. In addition, prescribed medication and therapy sessions help to calm down nerves.
Diet and Lifestyle:
Food to include in the diet to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression:
- Brazil nuts — The selenium in brazil nuts helps in reducing inflammation caused by overthinking. Also, brazil nuts help in keeping the stomach full for a longer time.
- Omega 3 foods (fish) — Fatty acids in omega-3 help in reducing inflammation and promote healthy brain function that allows problem-solving instead of overthinking.
- Dark chocolate — Studies have found that dark chocolates are rich in flavonoids and magnesium that help in elevating blood flow in the body, leading to calming nerves.
- Chamomile tea — Chamomile is rich in antioxidants, anti-inflammation, and relaxant substances that help claim the body’s nerves.
Along with alterations in diet, lifestyle changes are highly needed to fight anxiety, stress, and depression.
- Take a short break between work and practicing deep breathing exercises.
- Include exercise, meditation, and yoga in your routine.
- Burning incense sticks or aromatic candles make the surroundings relaxing and calm the senses.
- Peptic Ulcer
Peptic ulcers are of two kinds: Gastric ulcers — the ulcer and inflammation around the stomach lining, and Duodenal ulcers — the ulcer condition around the small intestine lining. In chronic peptic ulcer conditions, stomach acid may damage the stomach tissues.
A peptic ulcer is caused by either helicobacter pylori bacteria that infect the stomach or painkiller medicines such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or any other prescribed NSAID (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs) medication. Consuming high amounts of regular NSAID medications tear the tissue layer around the digestive tract resulting in ulcers. A high amount of alcohol and tobacco also causes peptic ulcers.
Peptic ulcer symptoms include — heartburn, moderate to chronic stomach discomfort, bloating, hollow stomach feeling, vomiting, burning sensation inside the stomach, and abdomen pain, and it also may cause weight loss.
Treatment
A minor peptic ulcer can cure by having over-the-counter medicines. However, it is highly recommended to seek a medical expert’s advice before treating at home. The ulcer can cause more damage to different organs in the body if the treatment is not proper. An untreated peptic ulcer can cause internal stomach bleeding.
Diet and Lifestyle
- Include high-fiber food, rich nutrients, and vitamin food such as sweet potato, spinach, citrus fruits, broccoli, pulses, cauliflower, kale, etc.
- Cut down on carbonated beverages, alcohol, coffee, and acidic food consumption.
- Avoid having fatty food, as it takes a long time to digest.
- Once or twice a fortnight, add soy foods to the diet —tofu or tempeh.
- Avoid having a high dosage of NSAID medication.
How do you get rid of stomach pressure?
Stomach pressure can be uncomfortable and bothersome, but there are several ways to alleviate it. Here are some strategies that may help relieve stomach pressure:
Relaxation Techniques: Engaging in relaxation techniques such as deep breathing exercises, meditation, or yoga can help reduce stress and tension, which can contribute to stomach pressure.
Dietary Adjustments: Certain foods and eating habits can lead to increased stomach pressure. Avoiding carbonated beverages, spicy or greasy foods, and large meals can help reduce pressure. Instead, opt for smaller, more frequent meals and incorporate fiber-rich foods to aid digestion.
Chew Food Thoroughly: Taking the time to chew your food thoroughly and eat at a slower pace can aid digestion and prevent excessive air swallowing, which can contribute to stomach pressure.
Over-the-Counter Medications: Over-the-counter antacids, such as calcium carbonate or magnesium hydroxide, can help neutralize stomach acid and alleviate pressure caused by indigestion or acid reflux. However, it’s always best to consult a healthcare professional or pharmacist before using any medication.
Peppermint or Ginger: Peppermint and ginger are natural remedies that may help relieve stomach pressure. Peppermint tea or ginger tea can be consumed to ease digestion and reduce bloating.
Physical Activity: Engaging in light physical activity, such as going for a walk or doing gentle exercises, can help stimulate digestion and relieve stomach pressure.
Stay Hydrated: Drinking an adequate amount of water throughout the day can help maintain regular bowel movements and prevent constipation, which can cause stomach discomfort.
Avoid Tight Clothing: Wearing tight-fitting clothing, especially around the waist, can exert pressure on the stomach. Opt for looser, more comfortable clothing to relieve any unnecessary pressure.
If stomach pressure persists or is accompanied by severe pain, vomiting, or other concerning symptoms, it is crucial to consult a healthcare professional for a proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment. They can provide personalized advice and determine if further medical intervention is necessary.
Why am I feeling so much pressure in my stomach?
Feeling pressure in the stomach can be caused by various factors, and it’s important to consider the context and any accompanying symptoms to determine the possible cause. Here are some common reasons for feeling pressure in the stomach:
Indigestion or Gas: Eating too quickly, consuming certain foods that are difficult to digest, or swallowing air can lead to indigestion or the accumulation of gas in the stomach, causing pressure and discomfort.
Bloating: Bloating occurs when excess gas or fluid accumulates in the digestive system, leading to a feeling of fullness and pressure in the stomach.
Constipation: When stool builds up in the colon, it can cause bloating and a sense of pressure in the lower abdomen.
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): GERD is a chronic condition where stomach acid flows back into the esophagus, causing heartburn and a feeling of pressure in the upper abdomen.
Peptic Ulcers: Ulcers are open sores that develop on the lining of the stomach or small intestine. They can cause abdominal pain, bloating, and pressure.
Gastritis: Gastritis is the inflammation of the stomach lining, which can result in discomfort, pressure, and a sense of fullness.
Gallstones: Gallstones are hardened deposits in the gallbladder. If a stone blocks the bile duct, it can lead to abdominal pain and pressure.
Ovarian Cysts: In women, ovarian cysts can cause abdominal discomfort and pressure, especially if they become large or rupture.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): IBS is a chronic digestive disorder characterized by abdominal pain, bloating, and changes in bowel habits, which can contribute to stomach pressure.
It’s important to note that these are general possibilities, and a proper diagnosis should be made by a healthcare professional based on a thorough evaluation of your symptoms, medical history, and any necessary tests. If you are experiencing persistent or severe stomach pressure, it is recommended to consult a healthcare provider for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
Conclusion
Hollow stomach feeling causes stomach discomfort, which affects your daily life routine—recommended to have a freshly prepared large breakfast full of vitamins and nutrients to keep yourself healthy. By altering diet and lifestyle, it may resolve stomach hollowness feeling.
