Published on: 7/4/2025
What could cause my stomach to feel heavy and tight?
A heavy and tight feeling in your stomach could be due to gallstones, side effects from medications like metformin, or constipation.
Explanation
Feeling like your stomach is heavy and tight can be uncomfortable. There are a few reasons this might happen:
Gallstones: Gallstones can cause a heavy feeling in your stomach. They are little stones that form in your gallbladder and can cause pain or discomfort, especially after eating.
Metformin Side Effects: If you take metformin for diabetes, it might upset your stomach. Metformin is known to cause stomach issues like a heavy feeling or tightness, especially when you first start taking it.
Constipation: Not being able to go to the bathroom can make your stomach feel tight and heavy. This happens because waste builds up in your intestines, making you feel uncomfortable.
If you experience these symptoms, it might be helpful to talk to a healthcare provider to determine the exact cause and appropriate treatment.
(References)
- Diehl AK. (1992). Symptoms of gallstone disease. Bailliere's clinical gastroenterology, 1486206.
- Bonnet F, & Scheen A. (2017). Understanding and overcoming metformin gastrointestinal .... Diabetes, obesity & metabolism, 27987248.
- Luder AS, Segal D, & Saba N. (1998). Hypoxia and chest pain due to acute constipation. Pediatric pulmonology, 9773918.
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