An inflamed stomach lining doesn't always feel like pain. Sometimes it's a meal that sits too heavy, a queasy morning, or a vague burning you've started to think of as normal. Because the symptoms overlap with so many other things, a lot of people live with stomach inflammation, known medically as gastritis, for months before putting a name to it.
Here are the signs worth paying attention to, and how to tell them apart from conditions that feel similar.
The 9 most common signs
- Burning or gnawing pain in the upper stomach. Usually just below the breastbone, in the area doctors call the epigastrium. It can feel worse on an empty stomach or shortly after eating.
- Feeling full after a few mouthfuls. Early fullness is one of the most overlooked signs. The stomach is sensitive, so it signals full long before it should.
- Nausea. Often worse in the morning or after rich, fatty or spicy meals.
- Bloating in the upper abdomen. A tight, distended feeling high up, rather than the lower belly bloating more typical of the bowel.
- Frequent belching or hiccups. Common when the stomach is irritated and digestion slows down.
- Loss of appetite. Many people start eating less without realising it, simply because food has become associated with discomfort.
- Indigestion that keeps coming back. One bout after a takeaway is normal. Indigestion most days for weeks is a pattern.
- Symptoms that change with eating. Some people feel better after food, others worse. Either way, a clear link between meals and discomfort points towards the stomach.
- Feeling generally unsettled. Lightheadedness, low energy or a sense of anxiety during flares is commonly reported, partly because of the close link between the gut and the nervous system. Our piece on gut health and anxiety explains why.
It's also worth knowing that some people with stomach inflammation have no symptoms at all, and only find out during tests for something else.
Is it stomach inflammation or something else?
- Acid reflux or GERD: the main feeling is burning that rises into the chest or throat, often with a sour taste. Gastritis stays lower, in the stomach itself. You can have both. See gastritis vs GERD for the full breakdown.
- Silent reflux: throat clearing, a persistent cough or a lump in the throat feeling, with little or no heartburn. More on that in silent reflux symptoms.
- Stomach ulcer: similar burning pain but often more intense and more localised. Ulcers need medical treatment.
- Gallbladder problems: pain under the right ribs, often an hour or so after a fatty meal, sometimes spreading to the back or shoulder. Get this checked by a GP.
- IBS or bowel issues: cramping and bloating lower down, with changes in bowel habits.
What usually inflames the stomach lining
The most common drivers are H. pylori infection, regular painkiller use (ibuprofen, aspirin, naproxen), alcohol, smoking, and in some people bile reflux or an autoimmune process. Stress and poor sleep rarely start the problem on their own but very often keep it going. We cover each one in detail in what causes gastritis.
What helps an irritated stomach settle
- Smaller, more frequent meals rather than three large ones
- Cutting back on alcohol, coffee, fizzy drinks and very spicy or fatty food for a few weeks
- Finishing your last meal at least three hours before bed
- Avoiding NSAIDs unless your doctor has advised them
- Keeping a simple food and symptom diary to spot your personal triggers
- Supporting the lining with ingredients traditionally used to soothe it, such as slippery elm, marshmallow root, DGL liquorice and aloe vera
If you're in the middle of a bad spell right now, our 48 hour flare up plan is the place to start.
When to see a GP
Book an appointment if symptoms last more than a few weeks or keep returning. Ask about an H. pylori test if you've never had one. Get urgent help if you vomit blood or something that looks like coffee grounds, pass black or tarry stools, have difficulty swallowing, or are losing weight without trying.
Supporting your stomach lining day to day
Once you know what you're dealing with, the goal is giving the lining what it needs to recover, consistently, not just on bad days. The Advanced Gut Repair Formula combines 5g of L-glutamine with DGL, slippery elm, marshmallow root, aloe vera and Bacillus coagulans in one daily drink, made in the UK and free from common allergens.
Shop the Advanced Gut Repair Formula →
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The Gut Axis Family