There is never a good time to have an upset stomach, but after eating, stomach pain is especially uncomfortable.
Food allergies are not as common in adults as you might expect, according to Thomas Vanderheyden, DO, a gastroenterologist at Michiana Gastroenterology.
It may take some time to identify the precise foods that are hurting you, so it’s vital to discuss your eating habits and any symptoms you may be experiencing that might be connected to food with a doctor, he advises. Determine the best strategy for you by consulting a qualified dietician or your physician.
As you might have suspected, dyspepsia, which is essentially just a fancy word for indigestion, is one of the most frequent causes of stomach pain after eating. Scott Gabbard, MD, a gastroenterologist at the Cleveland Clinic, claims that dyspepsia causes abdominal pain, bloating, and feelings of fullness after eating.
While indigestion usually goes away on its own, Ashkan Farhadi, MD, a gastroenterologist at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center and the director of MemorialCare Medical Group’s Digestive Disease Project in Fountain Valley, California, explains that your stomach may hurt after eating because of an underlying condition.
10 Medical Reasons Why Your Stomach hurt So Much After Eating
Do you frequently experience stomach pain after taking meals? It might be worthwhile to investigate whether one of these medical conditions is to blame.
RELATED: 12 Natural Remedies For Stomach Aches, Recommended By Gastroenterologists
#1. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) affects you
This ailment, also known as GERD, is brought on when stomach acid irritates the lining of your esophagus, resulting in heartburn and stomach pain, according to Dr. Farhadi.
If you overeat or enjoy spicy meals, you’re more likely to have GERD, according to Rudolph Bedford, MD, a gastroenterologist at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California.
Reduce your intake of spicy meals, coffee, and alcohol, and use over-the-counter antacids to relieve symptoms if you believe you have GERD. Call your doctor if that still doesn’t work.
#2. You have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
IBS, an intestinal illness that may cause stomach pain, gas, diarrhea, and constipation, can manifest itself in a variety of ways, but Dr. Farhadi believes it can unquestionably result in stomach pain after eating. You should visit your doctor to get tested for IBS if your stomach aches after meals and you also experience constipation or diarrhea.
#3. You suffer from celiac disease
Gluten consumption causes an immunological response that can have various effects on those who have celiac disease. According to Dr. Bedford, one is stomach pain following a gluten meal. By the way, celiac disease is distinct from mild gluten intolerance, which means you have trouble digesting gluten but still experience stomach pain.
If a person has celiac disease, eating gluten can cause damage to their small intestine; if they have gluten intolerance, they may only have physical symptoms like gas or diarrhea. Your doctor can assist you in identifying the potential cause of the issue.
#4. You have a stomach ulcer
According to Dr. Gabbard, if you experience persistent pain after eating and you’re also experiencing anemia, weight loss, vomiting, difficulty swallowing, or blood in your poop, it may be an ulcer. You need to visit a doctor about this because ulcers, which are sores that form in the lining of your esophagus, stomach, or small intestine, are typically treated with acid-reducing medication and antibiotics in some situations.
#5. You have gastroparesis
Gastroparesis, also known as “slow stomach,” causes partial paralysis of your stomach muscles and impairs normal digestion, according to Dr. Vanderheyden. Food stays in your stomach longer as a result. The additional food you eat cannot be digested and absorbed by your stomach as a result, which results in stomach cramps and/or spasms. Also possible are nausea and vomiting.
However, a recent infection with COVID-19 has also been linked to gastroparesis, according to Dr. Vanderheyden. The majority of cases are spontaneous, typically occurring after a stomach virus or bacterial infection.
If you suffer from this issue, you should eat smaller, more frequent meals because this will help the food pass more easily through your stomach. The consumption of well-cooked fruits and vegetables rather than raw ones, as well as avoiding fiber-rich foods like oranges, broccoli, beets, and celery, may also be advised. Additionally, your doctor can recommend drugs to energize the muscles in your stomach and lessen resulting nausea.
#6. You have a bacterial overgrowth in your small intestine
When your small intestine contains an unusually high number of bacteria, SIBO can develop. The healthy bacteria that are necessary for digestion get overpowered when there are too many harmful bacteria present. Poor digestion might result in bloating, diarrhea, and abdominal pain after meals.
According to Dr. Vanderheyden, risk factors for SIBO include advanced age, prior abdominal surgery, autoimmune disorders, or chronic constipation.
Dr. Vanderheyden advises consulting a gastroenterologist if you think you might have SIBO because the treatment involves dietary modifications as well as antibiotics to get rid of the bacteria overgrowth.
#7. You suffer from gallbladder disease
According to Jeffrey Jacobs, MD, a gastroenterologist at Illinois Gastroenterology Group, gallbladder disease is more prevalent in women in their 40s and refers to several conditions that produce pain in the mid-to upper-right upper quadrant of your abdomen and around your back.
After eating a fatty meal, minor to severe abdominal pain may occur because fat stimulates the gallbladder (think: fried foods, cheese, sausage, potato chips, and butter). Severe pain can also be brought on by inflammation brought on by gallstones blocking the ducts leading to your small intestine. According to Dr. Jacobs, experiencing severe stomach pain in the middle of the night is typically a sign that your gallbladder may be in trouble.
Gallbladder problems often do not go away on their own, so you should visit a doctor right away if you experience persistent or recurrent stomach pain after eating or any other unsettling symptoms. For more severe cases, surgery to remove the gallbladder may also be required in addition to pain treatment.
#8. It’s Crohn’s disease you have
Crohn’s disease, a kind of inflammatory bowel illness, can affect any section of the GI system, from the mouth to the anus, according to Dr. Jacobs. The symptoms of Crohn’s disease-related inflammation can range from mild to severe and include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, exhaustion, stomach pain, cramps, decreased appetite, and blood in your poop.
Crohn’s disease has no established origin, although according to Dr. Jacobs, it is typically caused by your diet and genetics. Your doctor may suggest medication, dietary modifications, and surgery to reduce symptoms and offer long-term comfort, even though it’s a chronic condition that necessitates regular monitoring and management.
#9. You have colitis with ulcers
According to Dr. Jacobs, ulcerative colitis is another type of inflammatory bowel disease that causes small ulcers throughout the entire colon or rectum. Abdominal or rectal pain, bloody diarrhea, rectal bleeding, the need to use the restroom immediately, exhaustion, and weight loss are among the symptoms that typically appear over time. Foods like cake, butter, coconut oil, and bacon that are high in saturated fats or sugar make the stomach pain worse.
Although the actual origin is unknown, it could be a result of a dysfunctional immune system, stress, food, or heredity. Consult a doctor if you have persistent abdominal pain after eating or discover blood in your stool. Anti-inflammatory drugs are typically used as treatment, although in more severe situations, surgery may be required.
#10. Your pancreas is inflamed
According to Dr. Jacobs, pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas that causes pain in the upper abdomen and extends to the back. Pancreatitis develops when the digestive enzymes produced by the pancreas are released prematurely and target the pancreas rather than the food in your stomach.
Pain can come on unexpectedly or it can be a chronic illness brought on by pancreatic, gall, or alcoholism stones. Painkillers and rest are usually sufficient treatments for mild acute pancreatitis, although surgery may be necessary in severe cases. Call your doctor right away if you experience sudden onset discomfort, nausea, vomiting, fever, or intense tenderness in your upper abdomen.
Again, overeating can sometimes be the cause, but if you notice that your stomach hurts after eating regularly, it’s a good idea to consult a doctor to help you determine the cause.
