My whole abdomen pulses, however this is only usually noticeable when I'm lay down. Even when I'm stood up though, this area in the upper abdomen will pulsate with my heart beat. I also suffer from heart palpitations and occasionally I will get the heart skipping sensation in this spot.
Many people feel occasional gas or cramping. For others, there may be a sudden twitch. But have you ever felt a pulse in your stomach? This may be harmless or a serious sign of something harmful, so let’s find out the difference.
- By pressing firmly into the abdomen just above the belly button, you probably will be able to feel your abdominal aorta's pulse. In some cases you can also see a flutter in that area, especially if you're thin. These are normal findings. It's impossible to tell if this is a benign or serious condition without doing a physical exam.
- When symptoms do occur, pain in the abdomen is most common. The pain may be occasional or constant. Some people describe a pulsing sensation in the abdomen which can be a warning sign of an AAA. If an abdominal aortic aneurysm is suspected, your doctor may use ultrasound or CT scanning to investigate it.
Stomach doctors in Orlando called gastroenterologists:
Researchers are always studying gastroenterology and strange feelings people have. Having a feeling of a pulse in your stomach can be very odd. It is almost like having an irritating eye twitch that just won’t go away.
In some cases, a pulse in the abdominal area, often called the stomach by people that are not in the medical field, may be due to an abdominal aortic aneurysm. According to Medical News Today, an aneurysm occurs when a weakened area of a blood vessel swells which forms a bulge. When a patient has abdominal aortic aneurysm, it occurs in the aortic artery in the abdomen.
For an anatomy recap, the aortic artery is the largest artery of the body. A person’s aorta begins at the top of the left ventricle. The left ventricle is the heart’s muscular pumping chamber.
Pulse In Abdomen When Lying On Stomach
Patients with this condition rarely experience any other symptoms besides the stomach pulse. That is, unless they experience any swelling tears or ruptures. Both of which are definitely a medical emergency requiring immediate attention.
In this article, our stomach doctors here in Orlando would like to outline the cause of a pulse in the stomach and explain when it is necessary to see a doctor. We will be sharing more information about abdominal aortic aneurysms including the symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and risk factors that go along with postponing treatments.
Common causes of a pulse in stomach area:
First things first, the feeling of a pulse in the upper abdomen can be completely normal for some people. Particularly for older patients with a healthy body mass index, or BMI, a pulse in the upper abdomen is most likely fine. Such people may feel this sensation when they are lying down or once their hands are pressed between their navel and the ribs.
However, if you have a family history of heart disease or have ever had a stroke, heart attack, or any other health issues, you should see a doctor promptly. Many risk factors that are associated with aortic aneurysms overlap with those of cardiovascular problems. Meet with our stomach doctors, or gastroenterologists, if you have any of the following risk factors.
Risk Factors to be aware of include:
- being a smoker
- having high blood pressure
- being over the age of sixty-five years old
- having high blood cholesterol
Abdominal aortic aneurysm:
When the aorta bulges outward, it is called an aortic aneurysm. Like we said before, the aorta is the largest artery in the body. It begins from the heart and extends down through the chest and abdomen.
The section called the abdominal aorta is the section of the aorta that sits just in front of the spine. Certain factors can cause the walls of the aorta to weaken. Aging or some diseases can age the walls of the aorta while also wearing them.
Once the blood pumps through the weekend aorta, the aorta is forced to bulge outward. If the bulging occurs int he abdominal aorta, it is called an abdominal aortic aneurysm. The danger in postponing medical attention is it can cause the aneurysm to rupture or tear.
Most abdominal aortic aneurysms are caused by atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is when fatty deposits build up along the inner sides of the artery walls. This restricts blood flow through the artery.
Imagine when you fold a garden hose so it stops the water flow or a moment. The pressure builds up, and if the garden hose isn’t in great condition, it can tear or rupture. This is what basically happens to the artery. Injury and infection may also be a cause of an aortic aneurysm.
Next time, we will share more of this issue. But until next time, be sure to seek our Orlando stomach doctors at our office for the pulse in your stomach. It may be a warning sign to seek treatment before a rupture.
Come back next time for more useful news. Thank you for stopping by, and have a great day, everyone!
Staff Writer
Many people suffer from an upset stomach and symptoms such as cramps, aches and even diarrhoea for no apparent reason. Sometimes years go by until they find out why. In this blog post, we are answering the question: “Can anxiety cause a pulse in the stomach?” We also talk about other anxiety symptoms and natural remedies for anxiety attacks and managing anxiety symptoms.
Can anxiety cause a pulse in the stomach?
Anxiety is oftentimes felt as a pulse in the stomach and can greatly complicate the lives of people who suffer from it. But how can you know if your stomach pains are a symptom of anxiety?
Anxiety and stress can manifest in infinite ways: from insomnia to a general state of nerves, through psychological symptoms such as depersonalization or negative thoughts.
Each person is a world and each one develops in a different way. But it is true that there are some guidelines that are repeated in many people. One of them is the different discomforts that occur in the digestive system. What we could call anxiety in the stomach.
Although it is not just the stomach: from the mouth to the intestines, through the colon, anxiety can be located in each part of the digestive system. And also in the head, causing more appetite or a total absence of it.
Feeling a Heartbeat in your Stomach due to Anxiety?
Feeling your heartbeat in the stomach can be a sign of anxiety, as anxiety causes autonomic arousal, which can manifest in cardiovascular symptoms. Apart from feeling like one has a heartbeat in the stomach, anxiety can also cause palpitations, rapid breathing, a sense of impending doom and dizziness.
How do I identify anxiety in the stomach?
If you wonder if you have any of those symptoms with which anxiety manifests itself in the stomach, continue reading:
Dry mouth – Many times, people complain of having a dry mouth. This can be caused by nerves and anxiety, by a poor diet and also by medication. There are certain antidepressants and anxiolytics that cause dry mouth and dry tongue.
Gagging and nausea – That feeling of disgust and the desire to throw up can be frequent if a person is very nervous, with an anxiety that is not being able to channel. To avoid this, we recommend that you follow a balanced diet and breathe deeply and consciously.
Nerves in the stomach and gut pains – When a person is nervous, the stomach area is one of the first places where they notice it. This can cause pain, cramps, or pricks.
Heavy digestions: heartburn – Yes, as strange as it may seem, stress and anxiety can cause your digestions to be heavier. And that can be accentuated by discomforts like heartburn and heartburn.
To avoid this, we recommend you keep order in your meals, always making them at approximately the same time. You can also eat lightly, avoiding little digestive foods like white flour, fat and fried, etc.
Constipation or diarrhoea – The frequency of bowel movements may also be an indication that something is not quite right. If you have constant constipation or diarrhoea in moments of vertigo, it is possible that anxiety is causing it.
Lack of appetite – Conversely, there are other people whose stomach is closed. In other words, anxiety gets in their stomach and prevents them from eating with desire and regularity. They fill up right away and they’re never really very hungry.
This can pose a problem at the nutritional level since it is possible that after a long time, there is a lack of vitamins and minerals that are necessary for the body.
Both in the case of excess appetite and the absence of it, we recommend consulting with your doctor to give you adequate eating guidelines.
How do I know if it is anxiety and not another health problem?
When a person suffers from nerves in the stomach, it is common to wonder if it is due to anxiety or other causes: an ulcer, irritable colon, etc. To find out, it is important, first of all, to go to the doctor so that he can take the appropriate exams.
In addition, there are certain indicators that you can look at. The first thing is to know if there is something that may be affecting you on a psychological level even if you are not very aware of it. Sometimes anxiety manifests itself only with diarrhoea or a binge and does not give other symptoms such as nerves or insomnia.
In addition, you can try to see how you can improve your diet: if you eat unhealthy foods, it may increase your stomach discomfort. So it is important to follow certain guidelines.
What can I do if anxiety causes a pulse in my stomach?
To start, you must understand that your diet is vital when it comes to feeling good. So make sure you eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains (rice, pasta, bread, etc.) and adequate hydration throughout the day.
In addition, it would be recommended that for the moment you reduce your consumption of dairy and spicy foods. Try to eat fewer times a day. This way you will not always be left feeling like you have a full stomach. Try to stay 80%, so the digestion will be lighter, less heavy.
These are temporary tips since the nerves in the stomach are not an ailment in itself, but a symptom of anxiety. That is why we recommend you try to reduce those stress levels that cause it. The first thing would be to visit a therapist to help you understand and channel your emotions.
You can also identify your level of anxiety, the type of anxiety you suffer and what strategies are most effective for reducing it. As you know, each person is different and just as the symptoms are different, so is the way to solve it.
What else can I do to reduce anxiety symptoms?
Anxiety has many faces and many ways to manifest itself. It can appear with physical symptoms, like trembling of hands, difficulties to breathe or insomnia. It can also have psychological manifestations, such as bad thoughts, derealization, or unwarranted fears.
Too often, the remedy for reducing anxiety symptoms is anti-anxiety medications. And although they seem like an easy solution, the truth is that their prolonged use can have consequences and numerous side effects. For example, they can create dependency if your intake continues over time.
In addition, anxiolytics lose efficacy over time. Finally, they can cause changes in behaviour such as drowsiness, muscle weakness or dizziness.
Are there natural ways to overcome anxiety?
Yes, they exist, but you should know that they require a little effort on your part. And also a certain level of commitment and perseverance.
And it is that contrary to anxiolytics, nature takes its time to help you feel better. The good thing is that once you are better, you will feel part of the improvement. And that’s the best reward you could have.
More and more people are looking for natural and healthy alternatives to mental disorders that can appear in complicated stages. There are methods that have always been there and that helps us feel better and reconnect with ourselves.
Choose your infusions well and drink them every day – There are a number of teas that help calm complex moods. If you feel a moment of nerves, confusion, anxiety, etc. Its prolonged intake helps you feel good.
Nature is very wise and contains many substances that calm us down and make us feel better. That is why we recommend making infusions of lime, valerian, kava, liquorice, passionflower or chamomile. You can also combine them with each other to get a more complete improvement.
Of course, keep in mind that its effect is not specific. That is, it is not enough to take a linden tree one day to feel better. You should drink one or two infusions daily every day for as long as you consider necessary. In this way, you help your nervous system to function properly and improve your mood.
Practice meditation regularly – Yes, meditation is an ancient technique that consists of leaving your mind blank. To empty yourself. In this way, you achieve a peace of mind that transports you to a new state of mind. With meditation, you learn to breathe, which oxygenates your entire body.
In addition, free your mind so that negative thoughts gradually disappear. And with them, most anxiety symptoms also disappear.
A healthy life is the best life: move your body – It happens to all of us: when you are anxious, you eat fatally and you don’t feel like doing anything, let alone sport. But you should know that one of the activities that will best suit you is to practice physical activity frequently.
Exercise helps you release tension and increases serotonin levels in your brain. It also releases endorphins, hormones that make you feel good. What exercise? Anyone, but better if it amuses you: dance, go running, take the bike. The important thing is that you don’t stay on the couch in front of the TV all day.
In fact, even if you only go for an hour’s walk each afternoon, that can already improve your mood. Walking for more than 30 minutes has been shown to help you think easily. This will help you unblock those emotions that cause you anxiety and distress.
In addition, doing sports and different physical activities will help you improve your self-esteem since you will look better and share time with other people.
Strong Pulse In Abdomen
Side Note: I have tried and tested various products and services to help with my anxiety and depression. See my top recommendations here, as well as a full list of all products and services our team has tested for various mental health conditions and general wellness.
FAQ on Can anxiety cause pulse in stomach
Is it normal to feel a pulse in your stomach?
It is normal to feel a pulse in your stomach from time to time, for example, when you are worried, or if you ate something that wasn’t so good for your stomach. However, if a pulse in your stomach is something you feel daily, it may be a sign that you need to see a doctor.
What causes pulsating abdomen?
Pulsating abdomen – feeling a constant pulse in the stomach, may have many causes. On it’s own it may be a sign of anxiety or bad digestion. Accompanied by other symptoms may represent something more worrying, such as an abdominal aortic aneurysm.
Can IBS cause pulsing in the stomach?
Yes, chronic pain due to IBS can cause a feeling of pulsing in the stomach, although it is most often reported in the lower part of the abdomen.
Can gas cause a pulsating stomach?
In some cases, gas may cause a pulsating stomach, by leading to spasms as the muscles in the intestines strain to let out the gas.
Conclusions
In this blog post, we answered the question: “Can anxiety cause a pulse in the stomach?” We also talked about other anxiety symptoms and natural remedies for anxiety attacks and managing anxiety symptoms.
Anxiety is oftentimes felt as a pulse in the stomach and can greatly complicate the lives of people who suffer from it. When a person suffers from nerves in the stomach, it is common to wonder if it is due to anxiety or other causes: an ulcer, irritable colon, etc. To find out, it is important, first of all, to go to the doctor so that he can take the appropriate exams.
If you have any questions or comments on the content, please let us know!
Further reading
When the Body Says No: The Cost of Hidden Stress, by Dr Gabor Maté
Help! I’ve Got an Alarm Bell Going Off in My Head!: How Panic, Anxiety and Stress Affect Your Body, by K. L. Aspden (
Say Stop to Anxiety and Depression: Yes….now you can….Recover and Regain Control of your Life – Rewire your Mind and Start Living – Overcome Panic and Anger. A Self Help Guide, by Jonathan Douglas
Rewire Your Anxious Brain: Heal Your Body by Eliminating Anxiety and Phobias. Conquer Your Fears and Worries, by Lisa Goleman
The Anti-Anxiety Diet: A Whole Body Programme to Stop Racing Thoughts, Banish Worry and Live Panic-Free, by Ali Miller
What we recommend for curbing Anxiety
Below are some of the services and products we recommend for anxiety
Anxiety Weighted Blankets
- Anxiety Weighted Blankets are by far the number 1 thing every person who suffers from anxiety should at least try. Anxiety Blankets may improve your sleep, allow you to fall asleep faster and you can even carry them around when chilling at home.
Online Therapy
- Online therapy is another thing we should all try. We highly recommend Online therapy with a provider who not only provides therapy but a complete mental health toolbox to help your wellness.
Anxiety Course
- With over 50,000 participants, this anxiety course may be just what you need to regain control of your life.
Light Therapy
- Amber light therapy from Amber lights could increase the melatonin production in your body and help you sleep better at night. An Amber light lamp helps reduce the amount of time it takes you to fall asleep and increases overall sleep quality.
References
Medical News Today – Why do I have muscle spasms in my stomach?
UWhealth – Aortic Aneurysm Causes, Symptoms and Concerns
AADA – Managing Stress and Anxiety
AADA – Tips to Manage Anxiety and Stress