What Are Stomach Cramps
A stomach cramp refers to a dull ache in the abdominal area. It doesnt last long most of the time and isnt severe. If it is, there is some cause for concern. Sudden and unexpected stomach cramps are medical emergencies, especially if they happen in a particular area.
If you have stomach cramps and feel bloated after eating a meal, there could be wind trapped in your abdominal area. Pharmacists would recommend over-the-counter drugs like Buscopan and Mebeverine.
Do your stomach cramps come with diarrhea? You may have Gastroenteritis. There may be an infection in your abdominal area, which should get better with medication. Sudden, sharp pain in a specific area of your abdomen is alarming, and you should seek immediate medical attention. It could signal appendicitis or other conditions, which we will discuss in the section on causes.
When Should You See A Doctor
Is stomach pain after eating a regular occurrence for you?
It may be time to visit a medical professional, naturopathic doctor, or holistic nutritionist. A stomachache after eating should go away after a few hours, but if your pain has lasted for more than a week or if a stomachache occurs after every meal, speak with your doctor.
Ways To Relieve And Treat Diarrhea After Every Meal
Establishing the underlying cause of PD is the first step in treating it. Depending on the diagnosis, a doctor will prescribe different treatments and lifestyle modifications. Never self-medicate when you have persistent diarrhea.
Try eating smaller, more frequent meals rather than large meals. Avoid foods that can irritate your digestive tract, such as fatty and spicy foods. Follow food safety measures and avoid handling other peoples food while you have PD.
Diarrhea can quickly lead to dehydration, so youll need to drink plenty of fluids and electrolytes while youre ill.
Food elimination diets are sometimes used to determine which foods cause adverse reactions.
Consider seeking medical attention if you have persistent or recurrent postprandial diarrhea, or if your diarrhea is associated with other symptoms, such as:
- Bloody stools
Also Check: Where Does Stomach Cancer Spread To
Don’t Miss: Should I Take Probiotics On An Empty Stomach
Stomach Pain After Eating Here Are 7 Things It Could Be
A recent online survey conducted across 26 countries found that 1 in 10 people experience post-meal abdominal pain. Of the 54,000 people who were polled, 13% of women and 9% of men reported frequent gastrointestinal discomfort after eating a meal. Individuals reported bloating, a swollen stomach, feeling full quickly, constipation, and diarrhea. Interestingly, these individuals had twice the rates of anxiety and depression as people who reported no symptoms.
This study illuminates the connection between food and diet, gastrointestinal health, mental health, and chronic gastrointestinal conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome or ulcerative colitis. It suggests the importance of an individualized and multidisciplinary approach to treating digestive disorders.
If you experience frequent gastrointestinal discomfort after eating food, seek medical help. A gastroenterologist can help diagnose the cause of your symptoms and build an effective treatment plan, based on your unique symptoms. In the meantime, follow along for common causes for stomach pain after eating:
Why Does My Stomach Hurt
There are numerous reasons for abdominal pain. It can come from any of the organs in your belly gallbladder, pancreas, liver, stomach and intestines or the abdominal wall the outer shell of the body. Sometimes you feel the pain in your belly, but its actually coming from the chest, back or pelvis.
Abdominal wall pain is common and easy to miss as healthcare professionals may direct their attention to internal organs as a cause of the pain. Once the abdominal wall is considered as a suspect, it is generally easy to nail down this diagnosis. If a patient strains the ab wall muscles from exertion, he may tell his doctor that he has right sided stomach pain. Clearly, this pain is not caused by a diseased internal organ such as the gallbladder or the stomach.
Healthcare providers can often determine where pain is coming from by taking a detailed history from you. Depending upon the physicians style, you may be simply asked to relate your medical story in your own words as a narrative. Other physicians may prefer to ask a series of detailed questions. Others may utilize both techniques. This medical history is paramount, even more important than the physical examination. After the history and physical, certain diagnostic tests may be advised to make an accurate diagnosis.
You May Like: How To Lose Weight In Your Chest And Stomach
What Causes Stomach Cramps After Eating
Stomach cramps arent usually a cause for alarm, but this doesnt mean that you shouldnt be alert to the possibility that the symptoms could signal something serious. Keep your mind open to these causes, and seek medical attention when necessary.
1. Gastroenteritis
First of all is Gastroenteritis, which refers to a stomach pain caused by infection. It can be so severe that it forces a person to bend over in pain. Rice and bananas usually relieve the symptoms. This study found that rice does have the power to ease the stomach flu.
2. Constipation
Constipation is a well-known cause of abdominal pain. Medical professionals attribute it to lifestyle causes. Experts have found that adjusting meal size can somewhat relieve it.
3. Indigestion
Indigestion is a minor health issue but can trigger the stomach pain. The medical term for it is Dyspepsia. It is curable if you chew your food properly.
4. Appendicitis
Appendicitis is one of the more causes of stomach pain. It is quick and sharp anyone who suffers from it should get medical help immediately. It is treatable if assistance arrives at an early stage.
5. Inflammatory Bowel Disease
This condition can be long-term, and it refers to the inflammation of the gut. It includes other diseases, such as Chrons Disease, which affects the part of the digestive tract from the mouth to the anus, and Ulcerative Colitis, which refers to ulcers in the colon.
6. Urinary Tract Infection
7. Acid Reflux
Consulting With Your Local Gastroenterologist
Most symptoms of stomach pain after eating may be alleviated with dietary and lifestyle changes. However, it is always best to have any persistent or troublesome symptoms evaluated by a medical professional.
As the leading gastroenterology specialists in our community, Saratoga Schenectady Gastroenterology Associates, we aim to provide the best in care standards to our local patients. Setting up an appointment is easy and convenient, and we look forward to meeting with you.
Saratoga Schenectady Gastroenterology Associates has grown in to one of the largest, most medically advanced practices in New York State, providing the highest quality care to the Greater Capital Region since 1981.
You May Like: Does Ibs Cause Stomach Cramps
How Is Food Intolerance Different From Allergies
Food intolerance is often an inability to digest or process certain foods rather than an immune response to an allergen. Two common food intolerances involve gluten and milk.
- Gluten intolerance can cause stomach pain in its most severe form, celiac disease, it is an actual allergy to the protein in gluten. Anything with wheat, barley, or rye can upset your stomach.
- Lactose intolerance is a shortage of the enzyme needed to process the sugar in milk. This means that any milk or dairy products can affect you. Fortunately, you can find many lactose-free products in the market.
Drink Plenty Of Fluids And Rest
With stomach pains after eating resulting from food poisoning, rest and drinking plenty of fluids are key treatments. This allows the body to flush out the toxins that have gathered in the gut.
Maintaining hydration with water is important at any time, but it is recommended to wait at least an hour before drinking water after meals if too much food has been consumed in one sitting.
Recommended Reading: What’s Good For Settling Your Stomach
Prevention Of Diarrhea After Meals
To prevent diarrhea after meals, you should:
- Avoid eating food that triggers your symptoms. If you determine that certain foods are to blame for your diarrhea, be sure to avoid them at all costs.
- Limit your intake of high-fat foods that could cause discomfort to your digestive system. High-fat foods include meats, fried foods, processed meats, and greasy snacks.
- Limit your caffeine intake to no more than two cups per day. Caffeine is a known gastrointestinal stimulant that can cause diarrhea and discomfort.
- Eat smaller meals. Large portions of food may result in discomfort and diarrhea after eating.
- Include probiotics in your diet to improve gut health.
- Stay hydrated throughout the day to promote nutrient absorption and comfort your digestive system.
- Make sure youre eating enough fiber-rich foods, which may help alleviate symptoms of diarrhea after eating.
- Maintain good hygiene by washing your hands regularly and wiping down kitchen surfaces.
- Cook your food thoroughly to avoid food-borne illnesses such as salmonella and E. coli that can result in diarrhea.
Also Check: Can Stress Cause Stomach Pain
Right Or Left Lower Abdominal Pain In Women
Sudden onset of right lower abdominal pain or left lower abdominal pain can indicate a ruptured ovarian cyst in a woman who is mid-cycle. This kind of pain could also be a sign of ovarian torsion, which is the rotation of the ovary and part of the fallopian tube, or possibly a twisting of the ovary due to compromised blood supply. Seek treatment immediately at the nearest emergency department. Surgery to remove the ovary may be required.
Recommended Reading: Should Miralax Be Taken On An Empty Stomach
Sudden Stomach Cramps With Diarrhoea
If your stomach cramps have started recently and you also have diarrhoea, the cause may be a tummy bug . This means you have a viral or bacterial infection of the stomach and bowel. It should get better without treatment after a few days.
Gastroenteritis may be caused by:
- coming into close contact with someone who’s infected
- eating contaminated food
If you have repeated bouts of stomach cramps and diarrhoea, you may have a long-term condition, such as irritable bowel syndrome .
Exercising Immediately After Eating
Exercising right after eating confuses your body! This is something that you were probably told as a kid but probably ignored as an adult. I’m not pointing fingers here, as I’m guilty as well! Do you remember your parents saying, “Don’t go swimming right after eating a meal when you’re at the beachYour stomach will cramp up, and you’ll collapse or drown!” You might think it sounds a bit exaggerated, but it’s actually not too far from the truth.
- Your body is very good at both eating and exercising. But not at the same time, nor one after the other.
Most of the day, your blood is flowing around your body, transporting vital nutrients to your internal organs, taking away bad or old cells to expel them as waste after filtering them through the kidneys and liver. When you eat, your digestive system requires a large amount of energy to do its job effectively. Your brain sends a message to your heart to start pumping more blood to your digestive system at an incredible rate to give it the energy it requires for you to digest your food.
- This is why you might feel very tired after eating a big meal, particularly if that meal is high in starchy foods such as pasta, rice, or potatoes. Your gut has used so much energy that it makes the rest of your body feel lethargic and tired.
Also Check: Is Purple Mattress Good For Stomach Sleepers
Vague Upper Abdominal Pain Associated With Nausea And Belching
Sometimes stomach pain is hard to identify or comes with multiple symptoms. Vague pain in the upper and mid-abdominal area that is linked to nausea, burping, or belching could be signs of a heart attack, particularly in older patients. Physicians say tests like an ECG or cardiac markers can be lifesaving. They also warn that vomiting with back or jaw pain and shortness of breath can also be a sign of a life-threatening emergency.
How Can I Feel Better
Most bellyaches dont have a serious cause. They can happen for many different reasons, but most are easy to treat.
If stress or anxiety seem to be behind the pain, the doctor may recommend that you talk to a counselor or therapist. They help people figure out whats behind their stress and give advice on how to fix problems or handle them better.
You May Like: What Is H Pylori Stomach Infection
Read Also: What Can I Use To Clean My Stomach Out
Find The Cause Of Your Stomach Pain After Eating
Its important to remember that stomach pain after eating is a common problem that may stem from an underlying health condition such as pancreatitis or diverticulitis, or food sensitivity. Your pain can range from mild to severe, and depending on the cause, it may indicate damage to the lining of your gut.
The pain may occur within a few minutes to hours after eating, and the timing of the painful discomfort may help you to narrow down what food or disorder caused the agony. The location of the pain may also determine if the pain is caused by a serious event such as appendicitis.
Stomach pain after eating may be the result of an intolerance to foods like bananas, eggs, or peanuts and may be prevented by avoiding the culprits.
Pain may also be prevented by changing your overall eating habits. You can start by maintaining a regular eating routine of healthy foods and avoiding triggers that may be causing the pain.
Also Read:
What Causes Abdominal Pain And Diarrhea After Eating
Identifying the cause of your condition can help you to work with your health care provider on the effective treatment plan. Here are some situations that may be to blame for your symptoms
1. Viral Infection
Viral infection is a common cause of stomach cramps and diarrhea. They can cause diarrhea as well as make your digestive track super sensitive. The effects of viral infections usually last for a few days and then the symptoms subside. You may consult with your doctor for treatment.
2. Food Poisoning
Its hilarious that our bodies can identify what they should or shouldnt eat. In case you happen to eat contaminated food or drink contaminated water, the most probable way your body will get rid of it is through diarrhea, and you may feel some discomfort in the stomach. For instance, diarrhea after eating salad may mean that the salad was contaminated. Some cases of food poisoning are usually severe and if symptoms persist, immediately seek the help of a doctor.
3. Lactose Intolerance
In case you have an allergic reaction to lactose- a type of sugar mainly found in dairy products, then you may experience stomach cramps and diarrhea. if you take foods with lactose.
Sugar malabsorption is another condition related to lactose intolerance. In this case, ones body is unable to absorb sugars such as fructose and lactose properly. If these sugars reach the intestines, they may result in gastrointestinal issues as well as diarrhea.
4. Toddlers Diarrhea
5. Antibiotics
Also Check: How Do You Get Parasites In Stomach
When To Call The Doctor About Abdominal Pain
If your abdominal pain is serious, doesn’t go away, or keeps coming back, talk to your doctor. Call 911 right away if your belly hurts because you had a recent injury there or if you have any chest pain.
You should also contact your doctor as soon as you can if you have symptoms along with the pain, such as:
- Can’t keep food down for more than 2 days
- Signs you’re getting dehydrated, including not urinating frequently, dark-colored urine, and being very thirsty
- Can’t have a bowel movement, especially if you’re also vomiting
- Pain when you pee, or you need to urinate often
Also call your doctor if:
- Your belly is tender to the touch
- Pain lasts more than a few hours
You may have other symptoms that could be a sign of a problem inside your body that needs treatment as soon as possible. Get medical care right away if you have abdominal pain and you also:
- Have unexplained weight loss
The Top 10 Rarest Diseases
Can you get cramps from overeating? Now, you know that the answer is yes!
When you eat too fast and/or too much, the stomach has to work much harder than it usually does, which often causes bloating and cramping. You also end up missing out on a very important part of the digestive process: saliva mixing with the food as you chew.
Chewing food properly and for a long enough period of time induces saliva, which promotes good digestion. Saliva contains enzymes that play a vital role in breaking down starches and fats , and it also acts as a lubricant for food, allowing for easier swallowing and abrasion protection for your mouth and throat lining.
Read Also: Can Low Blood Sugar Cause Stomach Pain
Abdominal Pain After Eating: Other Causes
Abdominal pain sometimes occurs regardless of what you eat. A variety of medical conditions and conditions, including what you eat, can cause stomach ache after a meal.
Other causes of abdominal pain after eating include:
You May Like: How To Lose My Stomach Fast