You can develop a feeling of tightness in your stomach due to causes like indigestion, irritable bowel syndrome, and anxiety, among others. It can also result from premenstrual syndrome or pregnancy.

If you experience a feeling in your stomach that’s more than butterflies but not quite painful, you may have what’s referred to as a tight stomach. This isn’t an illness or disease. Rather, it’s a symptom of an underlying condition. Conditions can range from minor, annoying ones to potentially serious ones.

A tight stomach is often described as a sensation in which the muscles in your stomach feel tight for a period time. It may feel similar to abdominal bloating, and is often accompanied by other symptoms such as cramping. The sensation may be described differently by different people.

Some common causes of tight stomach include the following:

Indigestion

Indigestion can be caused by a variety of triggers. Many of them are related to lifestyle and include:

  • overeating or eating too quickly
  • consuming too much caffeine or alcohol
  • smoking
  • anxiety
  • certain medications

Other symptoms that may accompany indigestion include:

  • uncomfortable fullness during or after a meal
  • a burning sensation in the upper abdomen
  • nausea
  • belching

While indigestion can be caused by other digestive diseases — such as pancreatitis or celiac disease — most cases can be treated with lifestyle changes and medications.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

IBS is a group of intestinal symptoms that may include stomach tightening. Other symptoms of IBS may include:

  • cramping
  • abdominal pain
  • gas
  • constipation
  • diarrhea

IBS can often be managed with dietary and lifestyle changes. In some cases, medication may be necessary.

Constipation

Constipation results when stool remains in the colon too long and becomes hard and difficult to pass. A poor diet is typically the cause of constipation. Other symptoms of constipation may include:

  • fewer than three bowel movements a week
  • passing hard, dry stools
  • straining or pain during bowel movements
  • a feeling of fullness, even after having a bowel movement
  • experiencing a rectal blockage

Constipation can typically be treated by making dietary changes, such as consuming adequate amounts of water and fiber. Supplements, probiotics, and laxatives may also help treat constipation. In more serious cases, medications are prescribed.

Food poisoning

Food poisoning occurs when you eat contaminated, toxic, or spoiled food. Beyond stomach tightening, it’s typically accompanied by the following symptoms:

Most cases of food poisoning can be treated at home with rest, proper hydration, and over-the-counter medications. In severe cases, hospitalization and hydration with intravenous fluids may be required.

Anxiety

In some cases, stomach tightening may be brought on by anxiety and what’s known as a nervous stomach. Other signs of anxiety may include the following:

  • nervousness, restlessness, or being tense
  • feelings of danger, panic, or dread
  • rapid heart rate
  • rapid breathing, or hyperventilation
  • increased or heavy sweating
  • trembling or muscle twitching
  • weakness and lethargy

Depending on the type of anxiety, treatment may range from dietary and lifestyle changes to alternative medical treatments, mental health care, or medications.

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)

A woman may feel abdominal tightness as part of PMS. PMS generally occurs leading up to menstruation. Other symptoms may include:

  • abdominal pain
  • sore breasts
  • acne
  • food cravings
  • constipation
  • diarrhea
  • headaches
  • sensitivity to light or sound
  • fatigue
  • irritability

While PMS can’t be cured, symptoms can be eased by dietary and lifestyle changes and over-the-counter pain medications. In severe cases, your doctor may prescribe medication.

Pregnancy

If you’re pregnant, stomach tightening may be normal. In early pregnancy, what you’re feeling may be your ligaments stretching. Later in the pregnancy, stomach tightening could be related to contractions — either Braxton-Hicks or those that signal impending labor.

Your stomach may also feel tight as a result of your baby moving around inside the uterus. Gas may also be a culprit. Consult with your doctor about any stomach tightening you may have.

If a tight stomach is a persistent issue, it’s important to try to pinpoint the cause so that you can receive any appropriate treatment.

Because many of the causes of a tight stomach are related to lifestyle and dietary choices, it’s important to maintain a healthy diet, get enough exercise, and manage stress.

Sometimes stomach tightness can be a symptom of a more serious underlying condition. If you ever have any of the following symptoms along with stomach tightness, seek medical attention immediately:

  • severe pain
  • swelling of the stomach
  • weight loss
  • fever
  • bloody stools
  • ongoing nausea and vomiting
  • yellow tint to skin
  • unexplained changes in bowel habits
  • feeling full after eating very little

If your stomach feels tight from time to time, it’s likely not a cause for alarm. Keep track of your symptoms and see a doctor if the feeling persists. Determining and treating the underlying cause as quickly as possible is key to preventing a tight stomach.