Persistent stomach pain and bloating: What is really behind it

Persistent stomach pain and a bloated stomach are more than just an annoying nuisance—they can be a clear signal from your body that your digestive system is out of balance. The causes may be lurking anywhere: in your diet, your lifestyle, or even hidden intolerances. But the good news is: you do not simply have to live with it.

Why your stomach is constantly rebelling

Do you sometimes feel as if there is constant chaos in your stomach? That uncomfortable feeling of fullness, cramp-like pain, and a stomach that feels so bloated that it restricts you in everyday life—if this sounds familiar, you are definitely not alone. Many people accept these symptoms as “normal,” but they should not be.

In fact, persistent stomach pain and bloating are widespread problems. An analysis by KKH Kaufmännische Krankenkasse in 2022 showed that around 189,000 of its policyholders were receiving treatment for these issues. The increase among young adults is particularly striking. This clearly shows that more and more people are looking for answers and real solutions, as confirmed by the Rome Foundation’s global epidemiological study.

Your digestive system as a finely tuned orchestra

The best way to picture your digestive system is as a large orchestra. Every organ, enzyme, and type of bacteria is a musician with a very specific task. Only when they all play together perfectly does a harmonious melody emerge—in other words, smooth digestion.

But what happens when an instrument is out of tune or completely falls out of rhythm?

• Diet as the score: What you eat sets the rhythm. Some foods are difficult for your “musicians” (that is, your gut bacteria) to digest. This leads to fermentation processes that produce excessive amounts of gas—and suddenly you have a bloated stomach.
• Lifestyle as the conductor: Stress, lack of sleep, or too little exercise can completely throw the conductor of your orchestra into disarray. Through the so-called gut-brain axis, psychological tension directly affects your digestion and disrupts the entire process.
• The gut microbiome as an ensemble: Trillions of bacteria live in your gut. A healthy balance of these microorganisms is absolutely crucial. If it gets disrupted (dysbiosis), gas-producing bacteria can multiply explosively and cause chaos.

A rumbling stomach is more than just a sound. It is a signal from your body telling you: “Listen, something is not right here.”

If you ignore this signal, the underlying cause remains untreated. This often creates a vicious cycle: the symptoms cause stress, and that stress in turn makes the symptoms worse. If you notice other unusual symptoms in addition to bloating, it is worth taking a closer look. In our article about the causes of a bloated stomach, you can learn more about possible connections.

It is about finally understanding your body’s signals instead of merely suppressing them. The first step is to know the most common troublemakers. These include not only obvious suspects such as cabbage or legumes, but also hidden culprits you may not even have considered. In the next section, let’s take a closer look at these possible causes and show you how targeted tests from mybody-x can finally provide clarity.

Tracing the True Causes

Your stomach is rumbling, you feel bloated, and the pain is back again—this constant discomfort can really wear you down. It often feels vague and difficult to pin down, but there are usually very specific triggers behind it. Think of it as detective work for your own body. Let’s examine the main suspects together so you can finally understand what your stomach is trying to tell you.

Finding the cause is often a long process because the possible causes are so varied. This can be frustrating, but it is worth it. From your diet and an imbalanced gut flora to functional disorders—the key is hidden somewhere.

Food Intolerance vs. Allergy

These two terms are constantly confused, but they describe two completely different reactions in your body. Knowing the difference is a crucial first step toward gaining clarity.

• Food intolerance: Imagine your body is missing a specific tool—such as an enzyme—to properly process a component of food like lactose (milk sugar) or fructose (fruit sugar). The substance reaches the large intestine undigested, where the bacteria there eagerly feast on it. This feast produces gases that lead to typical symptoms such as bloating, cramps, and diarrhea. The important thing is that your immune system is completely uninvolved. It is purely a digestive problem.

• Food allergy: The situation is completely different here. Your immune system essentially runs amok. It mistakenly classifies a normally harmless substance, usually a protein from a food, as a dangerous enemy. It then launches a massive immune response. The consequences can range from skin rashes and breathing difficulties to a life-threatening anaphylactic shock.

With the mybody-x food intolerance test, you can find out specifically whether certain foods are behind your symptoms, without having to start a lengthy, frustrating elimination diet right away.

Irritable bowel syndrome—when your gut goes haywire

When doctors cannot find an organic cause for your symptoms after all examinations, the diagnosis is often “irritable bowel syndrome” (IBS). This is not imaginary and not a diagnosis of convenience, but a serious functional disorder of the gut that affects millions of people.

Typical symptoms include recurring abdominal pain, a bloated stomach, and constant changes in bowel movements—sometimes diarrhea, sometimes constipation. Many people affected report that the symptoms briefly improve after using the toilet. Stress and psychological strain play a major role here and can significantly worsen everything, because the connection between the gut and the brain (the gut-brain axis) is particularly sensitive in this context.

The role of gut flora (dysbiosis)

Imagine your gut flora as a flourishing, diverse garden. Trillions of microorganisms work hand in hand here to digest your food, produce vitamins, and train your immune system. Dysbiosis is like weeds taking over the garden and crowding out the beneficial plants.

When the delicate balance of your gut bacteria is disrupted, gas-producing bacteria or yeasts can multiply uncontrollably. The result: persistent bloating, painful abdominal distension, and cramps because the “good” helpers are outnumbered.

Such an imbalance can be triggered by many factors: antibiotics, a very one-sided diet, or chronic stress. In Germany, bloating and abdominal pain can also result from gastrointestinal infections. Data from the Robert Koch Institute show that pathogens such as noroviruses can cause symptoms including abdominal pain (60%), diarrhea (72%), and vomiting (85%), and can significantly disrupt the microbiome over the long term. You can find more information in the publications of the Robert Koch Institute.

A mybody-x gut microbiome test analyzes the exact composition of your “gut garden.” It shows you in black and white whether this might be the root of your problems and gives you the knowledge you need to help your garden bloom again.

When you should definitely see a doctor about your symptoms

You pay attention to your diet, listen to your body, and try to identify the triggers of your symptoms. That is exactly the right approach and an important act of self-care. But sometimes persistent abdominal pain and bloating are not just an annoying digestive problem. They may be your body whispering something that you should not ignore—a warning sign of a serious illness.

This is not about panicking. Quite the opposite. If you know the warning signs, the so-called “red flags,” you can act clearly and responsibly. Your gut feeling is a good guide, but with certain symptoms, seeing a doctor is simply essential.

Listen closely: These are your body’s warning signs

You should never take certain signs lightly. They require prompt medical evaluation to safely rule out physical causes and give you the reassurance that nothing serious is behind them.

These warning signs are a clear call to seek medical help:

• Sudden, unbearable pain: If abdominal pain comes out of nowhere and is more severe than anything you have experienced before, do not hesitate.
• Blood in the stool: Whether bright red blood or black, sticky stool (tarry stool), this is always a reason to see a doctor immediately.
• Unexplained weight loss: Are you losing a significant amount of weight even though you have not changed your diet or exercise? This needs to be investigated.
• Fever and chills: In combination with abdominal pain, these symptoms may indicate inflammation in the body.
• Difficulty swallowing: When swallowing suddenly becomes difficult and the feeling persists.
• Severe nighttime symptoms: Pain so intense that it wakes you from sleep is a clear sign that you must take seriously.

These symptoms may indicate inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. However, other diseases of the digestive tract, including tumors, must also be ruled out in such cases. Only a doctor can give you the reassurance you need.

Why seeing a doctor is the first right step

The main purpose of visiting a doctor’s office is to rule out serious organic diseases. Only a medical professional can use examinations such as ultrasound, blood tests, or a gastroscopy and colonoscopy to determine whether there is a definite structural cause for your symptoms.

Seeing a doctor when you have “red flags” is not a sign of weakness, but a powerful act of self-care. It gives you the reassurance of knowing where you stand—whether that means starting necessary medical treatment or confidently continuing with self-help for functional symptoms.

If your doctor gives you the all-clear after completing all examinations and finds no organic cause, that’s fantastic news. It means you can focus fully on the functional triggers that often lie behind your symptoms—such as food intolerances, an altered gut microbiome (dysbiosis), or irritable bowel syndrome.

This is exactly where mybody-x tests come in. They are not a substitute for a medical diagnosis, but the perfect complement for the next step. Once you know that nothing serious has been overlooked, our analyses help you precisely identify the finer functional causes of your symptoms. This allows you to finally develop a targeted plan that truly suits you and helps restore your well-being.

Find clarity through targeted at-home self-tests

Constantly wondering where your symptoms are actually coming from can be incredibly exhausting. If you’ve already tried countless diets and are still in the dark, it may be time for a new approach. Instead of continuing to guess, modern at-home self-tests can help you find precise, scientifically sound answers.

Don’t get me wrong: These tests are not a substitute for a medical diagnosis. But they are the perfect next step if your doctor has ruled out organic causes and you want to get to the bottom of functional problems. This is where the real detective work begins—and the analyses from mybody®x can help pave the way to a targeted solution for your persistent stomach pain and bloating.

Your body provides the answers—we help you understand them

Imagine being able to look inside your body and see exactly what’s going on. That’s precisely what modern lab tests make possible, and you can perform them conveniently and discreetly at home. The entire process is remarkably straightforward and designed to give you maximum clarity with minimal effort.

The process is very similar for all tests:

1. Order your test kit: You’ll receive everything you need for the sample, conveniently sent to your home by mail.
2. Easy sample collection: Depending on the test, all you need is a small, painless drop of blood from your fingertip, a saliva sample, or a stool sample. Simple instructions guide you through the process step by step.
3. Scientific analysis: You send your sample in the enclosed return envelope to our certified partner laboratory in Germany. There, it is scientifically analyzed using state-of-the-art methods.
4. Personalized report: After just a few days, you’ll receive a detailed yet easy-to-understand results report in your secure online account. You’ll see not only your raw values but also receive specific, personalized recommendations for action.

The decisive advantage lies in personalization. Instead of general advice, you receive a report based on your unique biological signature. That’s the difference between guessing and knowing.

The following infographic shows you the ideal path if you suffer from severe or unclear symptoms. It makes clear how important it is to proceed systematically.

This presentation highlights how crucial it is to always see a doctor first when warning signs appear. This ensures that serious illnesses are ruled out and that you have a safe basis for all further steps.

Which test is right for you?

Find out which mybody®x test best matches your symptoms and can provide you with the clearest answers.

Comparison of the mybody®x tests for your gut health
Test type	What is measured?	Ideal for you if...	Your benefits
Food Intolerance Test	IgG4 antibody reactions to up to 260 foods.	...you suspect that certain foods trigger symptoms such as bloating, discomfort, or headaches.	You’ll identify exactly which foods are putting strain on your immune system and can adjust your diet accordingly to reduce inflammation.
Gut Microbiome Test	The composition of your gut flora (bacteria & fungi) and important health markers (pH level, digestive residues).	...you have general digestive problems, a weakened immune system, or suspect dysbiosis or a fungal overgrowth (e.g., Candida).	You’ll gain detailed insight into your “gut ecosystem” and receive specific recommendations to restore balance.

These tests are designed to give you a data-driven foundation for finally making targeted adjustments to your diet and lifestyle. It’s about regaining control and no longer being a victim of your symptoms.

You gain the knowledge to actively care for your gut health and systematically address the causes of your persistent abdominal pain and bloating. If you would like to learn more about how such a test works, you can find additional information in our article about the mybody®x gut test.

First aid for a calm stomach

While you wait for your test results or are simply looking for quick relief from your persistent abdominal pain and bloating, you don’t have to sit back and do nothing. There are a whole range of proven immediate measures that can soothe your stomach. Think of them as your personal first-aid kit, giving you back a sense of control during acute symptoms.

These practical tips are easy to incorporate into your everyday life and can noticeably improve your well-being. They are your first step toward actively addressing the symptoms and better understanding your body’s signals.

Become a detective of your diet

Probably the most effective way to uncover connections between what you eat and your symptoms is a food diary. It may seem like a lot of effort at first, but it is an invaluable tool. For at least one week, write down everything you eat and drink, and also note the exact times.

At the same time, you document when each symptom occurs (such as bloating, cramps, and a feeling of fullness) and how severe it is. This often reveals surprising patterns. Perhaps it’s the apple in the afternoon or the milky coffee in the morning that regularly causes trouble. These insights are worth their weight in gold—not only for you, but also when speaking with the mybody®x health experts after your test.

Another approach is to reduce foods that are rich in FODMAPs for a short period. This is an abbreviation for a group of certain carbohydrates and sugar alcohols that can be poorly absorbed in the small intestine.

There, they are fermented by bacteria, which can lead to gas, bloating, and pain. Typical suspects include, for example:

• Fructose-rich foods: apples, pears, honey, mangoes
• Lactose-containing products: milk, yogurt, soft cheese
• Legumes: beans, lentils, chickpeas
• Grains: wheat, rye, barley
• Certain vegetables: onions, garlic, cabbage

Temporarily avoiding these foods can give your digestive system a much-needed break. If you’d like to learn more, you’ll find many more tips for bloating in our guide.

The Power of Relaxation and Time-Tested Home Remedies

Your gut and your mind are inextricably connected through the so-called gut-brain axis. Stress and tension can demonstrably worsen your digestive problems. Relaxation techniques are therefore not a nice extra, but a central part of your self-help.

One of the simplest and most effective techniques is abdominal breathing. Lie down comfortably, place your hands on your abdomen, and breathe in deeply through your nose so that your abdominal wall visibly rises. Pause briefly, then slowly breathe out through your mouth. Just a few minutes a day can calm your nervous system and relax your intestinal muscles.

There are also time-tested home remedies that can work wonders for acute symptoms:

• Warmth: A hot-water bottle or a warm cherry-pit pillow placed on your abdomen is incredibly relaxing and relieves cramps. The warmth loosens tense muscles and can noticeably ease pain.
• Soothing tea: A cup of tea made from fennel, anise, and caraway is the absolute classic for bloating. These herbs contain essential oils that reduce gas formation in the intestines and have a calming effect.
• Gentle exercise: A short walk after eating stimulates intestinal activity and helps release trapped gas. However, avoid intense physical activity immediately after a meal.

Of course, these measures do not replace accurate diagnosis. But they make good use of the waiting period and, above all, show you one thing: You are not helplessly at the mercy of your constant stomach pain and bloating. You can actively do something for your well-being—and that alone is an incredibly empowering feeling.

Your Personal Roadmap to Long-Term Well-Being

You’re holding your mybody®x test results in your hands—a decisive moment! At last, the guesswork surrounding your constant stomach pain and bloating is over. Instead of vague assumptions, you now have scientifically sound facts about your body. But what comes next? How do you turn this new knowledge into genuine, lasting well-being?

This is exactly where we come in. This guide is your personal instruction manual for the time after the test. We’ll show you how to translate your results into your everyday life step by step, laying the foundation for a life free from constant discomfort.

From Knowledge to Action: How to Put Your Results into Practice

Imagine your test results as a detailed treasure map of your body. They show you exactly where the sources of disruption lie. Your task now is to use this map to find the best path for you. Depending on whether you took a food intolerance test or a gut microbiome analysis, the next steps will look somewhat different. But the goal is always the same: to restore your body’s balance.

This is what your journey might look like, depending on your results:

• For food intolerances: Your report clearly lists which foods trigger a strong IgG4 reaction in your body. The next step is a targeted rotation or elimination diet. This means avoiding these identified “troublemakers” for a while. This gives your gut a chance to finally calm down and allows inflammation to subside.
• For dysbiosis (an imbalanced gut microbiome): If your microbiome analysis shows an imbalance, the key to success is targeted restoration of your gut flora. This works best through a combination of prebiotic foods—meaning nourishment for your beneficial bacteria, such as leeks or chicory—and, if necessary, probiotic supplements containing exactly the bacterial strains your gut is missing.

Nutrition naturally plays a crucial role in maintaining a calm stomach and your long-term well-being. You can find practical advice on how to achieve a healthy diet at work here.

You are not alone: Your personal coaching

Changing your diet and establishing new routines can feel overwhelming at first. It is completely normal for questions to arise along the way or for your motivation to dip from time to time. And that is exactly why we will not leave you alone with your results.

A plan is only as good as its implementation. Your personal, free coaching with our mybody®x health experts is the key to ensuring that you not only achieve your goals, but also maintain them long term.

Our experts will help you interpret your results correctly and develop a realistic, practical plan for everyday life. They will be by your side when it comes to putting the plan into practice, offering shopping tips and recipe ideas, and supporting you when things get difficult. This journey is not a short-term diet, but a sustainable investment in your health. With the right support, the journey toward a life free from discomfort will not only be easier, but also more successful.

Your most important questions—answered clearly and concisely

On the way to a calmer stomach, the same questions keep coming up. We’ve collected the most frequently asked questions here and provide clear, easy-to-understand answers to give you guidance and fresh ideas.

How long do I have to wait for improvement after changing my diet?

That’s the question everyone asks. Unfortunately, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer because your body is unique. If a test reveals a clear food intolerance and you avoid the trigger, you’ll often feel significant relief after just a few days. Finally, the pressure begins to ease.

But if your goal is to rebuild your gut flora in a targeted way, you’ll need a little more patience. Think of it like a neglected garden: it takes time to prepare the soil and for new, healthy plants to grow strong. Expect several weeks to months for a stable new balance to develop. Your free mybody®x Coach will help you stay on track and set realistic goals.

Isn’t bloating actually completely normal?

Yes and no. A certain amount of gas production is a completely normal and even healthy part of digestion. When your beneficial gut bacteria diligently break down fiber, gases are produced. Occasional bloating is therefore usually harmless and no cause for concern.

It only becomes a problem when bloating is your constant companion, gas gets painfully trapped, and your quality of life suffers significantly. This isn’t normal; it’s your body sending a clear signal that something is wrong—often a deeper imbalance such as dysbiosis or undetected intolerances.

Can stress really upset my stomach this much?

Absolutely. The connection between your head and your stomach, known as the “gut-brain axis,” isn’t imaginary—it’s hard science. Chronic stress is pure poison for your digestion.

It can disrupt bowel movements (peristalsis), negatively affect the composition of your valuable gut flora, and even intensify your perception of abdominal pain so much that even minor stimuli suddenly feel agonizing. That’s precisely why relaxation techniques and effective stress management aren’t a “nice extra,” but a fundamental building block on the path to a symptom-free stomach.

---

Are you ready to finally get to the bottom of the causes of your symptoms? At mybody-x, you’ll find the right self-tests to gain clarity and take your health into your own hands.

Discover the right test for you now at mybody-x.com