What Is Fluttering in Stomach?
Fluttering in Stomach a person may feel a sensation of fluttering in their stomach or lower abdomen. There are several possible causes for this sensation which may be harmless or if it appears as a manifestation of an underlying medical condition [1, 2].
The sensation of fluttering in the stomach occurs as a result of muscle spasm or palpitations in the stomach which are usually not serious but can cause a feeling of mild discomfort and can be a nuisance to the person.
The flutters usually have a small duration and disappear after a couple of minutes. The frequency of flutters differs from one individual to another.
There are some who may experience several episodes of fluttering in a single day while there are those who may experience this once a few days or once a week. It is initially associated with high levels of stress but other causes have been associated with this sensation [1, 2, 3, 4].
Causes
The occurrence of stomach flutters is associated with several conditions. Some of these are relatively harmless but there are those that may require further medical evaluation [1, 2, 3, 4].
High-stress level
The presence of high levels of anxiety and fear are known to be the primary cause for fluttering in the stomach. If the individual is unable to manage the level of stress that they face, it may manifest itself as physical symptoms.
The body will try to adapt to the level of stress through the fight or flight response. One of the mechanisms in this response is the release of cortisol and adrenaline into the system. These hormones affect some of the organs in the body such as the stomach.
Adrenaline and cortisol may cause the smooth muscles to spasm and cause the fluttering feeling. Other effects of these hormones are decreased acid secretion in the stomach and reduced blood in circulation [1, 2, 3, 4].
Pregnancy
Fluttering in the stomach is considered to be one of the early signs of pregnancy. It is reported that the fluttering may occur between 6 to 12 days after the ovulation. The appearance of this symptom is one of the reasons some sexually active women would perform a pregnancy test.
The flutters may return in the 13th week of pregnancy due to the movement of the fetus. The mother may feel the flutters when the fetus reacts to external noises or whenever they get the hiccups [1, 2, 3, 4].
Indigestion
Indigestion is defined as the pain or discomfort that is felt in the stomach area that is associated with a difficulty in the digestion of food. It also causes an accumulation of gas in the stomach. If this nerve may lead to palpitations in the muscles of the stomach and the heart [1, 2, 3, 4].
Starvation
The stomach secretes hydrochloric acid for the digestion of food. The acid will stay in the stomach until there is food to digest. If the person does not eat for a long time, the acid will continuously accumulate and this can harm the lining of the stomach. Irritation of the stomach wall may give rise to stomach flutters [1, 2, 3, 4].
Muscle twitching
Twitching of the muscles is a common symptom that is experienced by millions of people. Stomach flutters are one of the manifestations of this due to the twitching of the smooth muscles of the stomach.
The twitching may occur as a result of muscle fatigue, hyperactivity of the central nervous system, and imbalance of electrolytes such as magnesium, potassium, and sodium [1, 2, 3, 4].
Treatment
In a majority of the cases, fluttering in the stomach resolves on its own and do not require any medical intervention. If these flutters bother the individual, there are some measures to reduce the occurrence of stomach flutters [1, 2, 3, 4].
Those that are associated with high levels of stress and anxiety can be managed by reducing the level of stress. This can be achieved by engaging in relaxing activities such as deep breathing, yoga, and meditation. Relaxing can reduce the frequency that this stomach flutters manifest [1, 2, 3, 4].
Women who are pregnant should be advised that the stomach flutters that occurs due to the movement of the fetus will continue to increase as the pregnancy progresses. Mentally preparing expectant mothers may start to enjoy this sensation instead of considering it as a discomfort [1, 2, 3, 4]
Consumption of a healthy diet frequently can prevent indigestion and starvation. Avoiding excessive intake of tea, coffee or other food that has a high level of caffeine can reduce the irritation of the stomach and lessen the frequency of fluttering in the stomach.
References
- Tariq, I. (2017). Fluttering In The Lower Abdomen: Early Pregnancy Or Something Else? Steady Health: http://www.steadyhealth.com/medical-answers/fluttering-in-the-lower-abdomen-early-pregnancy-or-something-else
- Reference.com. (2017). What are some of the potential causes of abdominal fluttering? https://www.reference.com/health/potential-causes-abdominal-fluttering-ec82d8e2d1a4243d
- Medical Treasure. (2017). Fluttering in Stomach – What could it be? Medical Treasure: http://medicaltreasure.com/fluttering-in-stomach/
- Tandurust. (2014, March 27). Fluttering In Stomach: What Are Its Causes And How To Stop It? Tandurust: http://www.tandurust.com/self-help/fluttering-in-stomach-how-to-stop.html
