Introduction
If you’re suffering from stomach pain after eating, the first thing to do is make sure you don’t have food poisoning. If you do, it’s likely that your symptoms will be severe and include vomiting as well as diarrhea. Is this the case? See your doctor right away—don’t wait until morning! But what if your symptoms are milder and you aren’t sure if they’re caused by food poisoning? Then read on to learn more about common causes of stomach pain after eating.
Food poisoning
Food poisoning is usually caused by eating food that has been contaminated with bacteria, viruses, or parasites. Common symptoms of food poisoning include nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. If you experience these symptoms after eating at a restaurant or other food establishment, it’s important to see a doctor right away to rule out more serious conditions such as infected hepatitis A or E coli. In addition to the risk of dehydration if you have severe vomiting and diarrhea (a condition called gastroenteritis), there are some long-term complications that can arise from repeated episodes of vomiting or diarrhea—such as anorexia nervosa (an eating disorder characterized by extreme weight loss), malnutrition, osteoporosis and diabetes mellitus type 1 (type 1 diabetes).
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common digestive disorder that causes abdominal pain, bloating and diarrhea or constipation. The cause of IBS is unknown, but it’s thought to be due to abnormal function of the gut. IBS can be treated with medication and dietary changes.
The exact cause of IBS is unknown. It may be due to a combination of factors that affect how your gut works, including:
– Abnormal function of the nerves that control your gut – Stress – Infections, such as stomach flu or food poisoning
Acid reflux
Acid reflux is a common cause of stomach pain, and can affect anyone at any age. Symptoms include heartburn, regurgitation and coughing up acid from the back of your throat. You may also experience nausea or feel like food just sits in your stomach without being digested.
Acid reflux occurs when stomach acid travels up into your oesophagus (gullet) due to a weakened lower oesophageal sphincter (LES). This causes discomfort as the acid irritates this area of your gullet, resulting in symptoms such as indigestion and heartburn.
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Indigestion
Indigestion, or dyspepsia as it’s sometimes called, is the feeling of discomfort in your upper abdomen. It’s often accompanied by bloating and belching. The pain could last for a few minutes or longer and may be felt just after eating a meal—or even hours later. If you experience symptoms like these on an ongoing basis, contact your doctor so they can rule out other possible causes of stomach pain such as GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) or ulcers.
You may also experience heartburn, which is a burning sensation in the chest that usually goes away after a few minutes. Heartburn can also occur before meals and when lying down after eating. If you have symptoms like these, talk to your doctor about possible causes and treatments.
Stomach ulcer
A stomach ulcer is an open sore on the lining of the stomach or intestines. An ulcer can occur when your body’s natural defenses stop working properly and allow bacteria to enter your bloodstream.
Stress, smoking and some medications are common causes of stomach ulcers. They may also result from an infection with Helicobacter pylori bacteria, which live in your stomach and intestines.
Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, bloating and pain or discomfort in your upper abdomen (belly). If you have these symptoms for more than two weeks without any relief from over-the-counter drugs like antacids or other remedies such as eating frequent small meals rather than large ones at one time; taking aspirin or ibuprofen (Advil) at least four hours before bedtime; drinking plenty of water while eating meals; chewing food slowly; avoiding greasy foods — then it’s a good idea to see a doctor.
Gastritis
- Gastritis is an inflammation of the stomach lining.
- Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.
- It can be caused by a stomach virus or bacteria.
- Treatment includes medication to ease symptoms and rest to allow healing.
Gallstones
Gallstones are a common cause of upper abdominal pain. The gallbladder is a small organ that stores bile and releases it into the small intestine when you eat something fatty or rich in cholesterol. Gallstones form when the bile becomes concentrated and has to be expelled from your body. If this happens too often, gallstones can form in your gallbladder and cause inflammation, also known as cholecystitis.
Symptoms include:
- Pain in your upper abdomen that increases after eating fatty foods
- Abdominal bloating after eating
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fever (cholecystitis only)
Gallstones are caused by high cholesterol levels, obesity, diabetes mellitus, pregnancy and insufficient exercise. Symptoms are generally more severe if there are many stones present; otherwise they may go unnoticed unless they block the bile ducts which causes jaundice (yellowing). Treatment options include surgery to remove the gallbladder or medications such as chenopodium ambrosioides tincture or olive leaf extract capsules taken daily for six months.
Don’t live with stomach pain! See a doctor.
If you have stomach pain after eating, it’s important to see a doctor and rule out any serious issues.
Don’t self-diagnose. Don’t ignore the pain. Do not take over-the-counter medication without consulting a doctor first.
Conclusion
If you’re dealing with stomach pain, don’t suffer in silence. Talk to your doctor about the possible causes and treatment options.