How Can I Feel Better
Most bellyaches don’t 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 what’s behind their stress and give advice on how to fix problems or handle them better.
Ways To Stop Digestive Discomfort After A Supersized Meal
Overindulgence can be a pain in your stomach. Skip the bellyache after your next big feed with these quick fixes.
Overeating.
Most of us have done it at some point, even with the best of intentions not to.
Sometimes that holiday meal is so delicious we cant stop, or the dessert table is too tempting to ignore.
You feel bloated now, but dont despair: Overdoing it once in a while isnt going to ruin your health, though it can wreak havoc on your digestive system.
Stomach Pain After Eating And Diarrhea: 7 Causes Gastroenterologist Explains
Our content is not intended nor recommended as a substitute for medical advice by your doctor. Use for informational purposes only.
A wide variety of diseases and conditions can lead to stomach pain after eating and diarrhea.
The most common causes of stomach pain and diarrhea after eating include:
- Irritable bowel syndrome .
- Food intolerance such as lactose intolerance.
- Infections, whether acute or chronic.
- Gallbladder diseases and bile acid diarrhea.
- Pancreatic diseases .
- Celiac diseases .
- Inflammatory bowel disease as Crohns disease and ulcerative colitis.
- Medication-induced diarrhea.
- Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth .
- Others such as endocrinal diseases, Gastrointestinal cancers, etc.
This article will mainly focus on the CHRONIC causes of abdominal pain and diarrhea after eating.
The items below are in the order of commonality. Next, we will discuss the features suggesting each disease or condition.
However, The symptoms are overlapping and similar across many of them. I will do my best to explain the differences. But, the differentiation ultimately needs an evaluation by your doctor.
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If Your Abdominal Cramps Are Making Life Miserable Try To Talk To A Doctor
Treatments for the above issues can vary wildly. For instance, if you think the issue is that you have a hard time processing beans, which then leads to painful gas, over-the-counter medications like simethicone may help with the distension that causes your pain, Dr. Krishnareddy explains.
However, if youre experiencing cramps that are pretty severe, along with other symptoms that make you think you might have a chronic issue like IBS or IBD, its really important to try to consult with a doctorparticularly because taking over-the-counter medications wont treat the real issue at hand.
These medications can decrease the symptoms just enough that the person doesnt go to their doctor to get evaluated, Dr. Krishnareddy says. But its not actually the underlying problem.
Ultimately, if getting abdominal cramps after eating is affecting your life, its time to consult the professionals. If youre having symptoms that are occurring frequently enough to interfere with your ability to conduct your daily activities, you need to see a doctor, Dr. Chey confirms. This is especially true, he says, if youre having serious symptoms like vomiting , seeing blood in your stool , or inexplicably losing weight.
Trust your gut when it tells you somethings wrong. At the very least, your doctor should be able to ask you some questions that get you closer to figuring out whats going on.
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What Is The Fastest Way To Cure A Stomach Ache
To overcome the problem of stomach pain after eating, a person can adopt the following home remedies, such as:
- Often people facing the problem of stomach pain after eating should consume lemon juice after eating. Put a little powder of black salt, black cumin and black pepper over the cleavage of lemon and suck it slowly, it provides relief from stomachache.
- Garlic juice is an effective Ayurvedic treatment to relieve stomach pain after eating. If Stomach ache is bothering a person, then it is advised to drink half a teaspoon of garlic juice mixed with water.
- Under home remedies, in case of stomach pain, it is advised to lick slowly by mixing one spoon of lemon and ginger juice.
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Home Care For Stomach Pain After Eating
If you are experiencing mild stomach pain after eating, you can take some helpful steps that are listed below:
- When you have overeaten or are dealing with digestive discomfort it is important to drink water and clear fluids to stay hydrated.
- Avoid solid foods for a few hours, especially if you have been vomiting. When you begin to eat solid foods again, start with foods that are easy to digest such as applesauce, plain crackers or rice.
- Avoid any foods that may have caused your initial distress. If you are feeling heartburn or indigestion, cut out greasy foods, alcohol or carbonated beverages and take an antacid to help cut the pain.
- Do not take aspirin, narcotics or anti-inflammatories until you have determined the cause of your digestive distress.
Is It Stomach Pain Or Abdominal Pain
Some people refer to all abdominal pain as stomach ache or tummy ache. Abdominal pain is any pain that occurs in the area between your chest and your groin.
Your liver, appendix, pancreas and intestines as well as other organs sit in this part of your body. So, conditions affecting any of these organs can cause abdominal pain.
The different conditions that can cause abdominal pain tend to affect specific areas. The 4 locations to consider are:
- upper abdomen
- right side of the abdomen
- left side of the abdomen
Read more about these 4 types of abdominal pain and what you can do about them here.
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Upper Abdominal Pain Between The Ribcage
If you develop an aching or stabbing pain or pressure in the upper abdominal area just under the ribs, this may indicate a heart-related problem. Physicians say this pain is often accompanied by shortness of breath and is concerning if the pain persists. People often assume this type of pain is indigestion, and while that may be the case, anyone with risk factors such as diabetes or hypertension should see a doctor as soon as possible.
When Should I Be Concerned About Stomach Pain
One biggie to flag is that you shouldnt be able to feel pain in your internal organs if you do suspect that’s the case, then head to your doctor, STAT. Plus, if you are dealing with recurring pain over multiple weeks and it affecting your day-to-day life, then do head to see your GP for tests.
Other than that, obviously, stomach pain after eating can be as a result of easily-fixable issues, as well as medical reasons.
Lets break them down.
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When To See A Doctor
If your digestive distress has lasted for more than one week, you are experiencing long term loss of appetite or vaginal bleeding, unexplained weight loss, long-term diarrhea, long-term bloating, a burning sensation when you urinate or pain that is extreme. It is important to seek medical attention. This is especially important if you have recently experienced an abdominal injury, the pain is incredibly sharp or your abdomen has become rigid or you are vomiting blood. Contact your doctor to determine whether emergency medical care is necessary.
Sugar Intolerance May Result In Stomach Ache
The sweet taste of sugar may cause severe pain in stomach after eating too much of it. This may be caused by poor digestion of the sugar, and it eventually breaks down in the lower intestine, producing gas. In carbohydrate form, the sugar may stimulate pain if not expelled. A sugar intolerance may also be seen with the use of milk products, as milk contains sugar in the form of lactose.
Weather also may initiate sugar-induced stomach pain as extremely high temperatures may cause you to reach for cold, sweet drinks such as soda, iced tea, lemonade, and alcohol. The high content of sugar may cause pain and bloating from gas formation.
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What Causes Stomach Pain And How To Treat It
Temporary or chronic stomach pain is common and can have many causes. Pregnancy? Eating too much food? What to do if it is accompanied by nausea, gas, or back pain?
If you feel pain between your belly button and breastbone, it may be coming from your stomach, but it can also occur in other organs. Pain in this area does not necessarily mean that the stomach is involved, so you should always proceed with some caution. These are fairly common pains that can occur with a number of fairly innocuous conditions, such as stress, pregnancy, or taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
How Long Will Indigestion Last
Indigestion might go way as soon as you change your diet and habits. If you do take medication for your upset stomach, only do so with your healthcare providers approval. Some medications, especially acid reducers, can have long-term side effects. These may include an increased risk of infections or low levels of important nutrients.
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Colon Damage From Impaired Blood Flow
Acute intestinal ischemia means that the blood flow to the large and/or small intestines has been cut off. It is also called acute mesenteric ischemia, or AMI.
The ischemia is caused by blockage in one of the arteries leading into the abdomen, usually due to atherosclerosis or a blood clot.
Most susceptible are those with very high or low blood pressure heart disease or using illegal drugs such as cocaine or methamphetamine.
Symptoms include sudden, severe pain in one area of the abdomen nausea and vomiting and repeated, urgent bowel movements, often with blood.
Acute intestinal ischemia is a life-threatening medical emergency. If it is suspected, take the patient to the emergency room or call 9-1-1.
Diagnosis is made through arteriogram, which involves injecting dye into the abdominal arteries under x-ray in order to find the exact location of the blockage.
Treatment involves “clot-busting” drugs to destroy a clot, or emergency surgery to remove whatever is causing the blockage and possibly some of the damaged intestine as well.
Rarity: Rare
Top Symptoms: abdominal pain , nausea, loss of appetite, diarrhea, being severely ill
Urgency: Hospital emergency room
Heres How The Digestive System Works
Or how digestion should work when everything goes according to plan.
Your body employs multiple organs to turn the food you eat into energy. When everything is going well, you should barely notice this process, which is good because it can actually take a pretty long time. The Mayo Clinic estimates that it takes two to five days for a mouthful of food to go through all the various digestive processes and come out the other end looking unrecognizable.
First, though, this all starts with one bite. Between the chewing action of your mouth and the enzymes and lubrication from your saliva, you start to break down what youre eating, the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases explains. Once the bite is small enough to swallow, your tongue pushes it to the back of your throat into your esophagus, which begins to contract automatically in a motion called peristalsis.
The first organ the newly chewed food encounters after this is the stomach. Muscles in your stomach walls churn the food and release acid and enzymes, slowly mixing the food into a paste called chyme. Your stomach gradually releases the chyme into the small intestine, which reduces it further by mixing it with enzymes from the pancreas and from bacteria, along with bile from the liver, all while pushing the chyme further through the digestive tract. The walls of the small intestine absorb the extracted nutrients and water, which move into your bloodstream.
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Severe Acute Pain In The Lower Right Side Of The Abdomen
A sudden pain in the lower part of the abdomen may be a sign of appendicitis. It may also be accompanied by a fever. Pain often begins around the belly button area and becomes worse with time. Vomiting or constipation or diarrhea along with the pain also indicate it’s time to go to the emergency room. Physicians recommend seeing a doctor right away if the pain comes on suddenly over several hours or is persistent. Appendicitis often requires surgery. If left untreated, a ruptured appendix can be deadly.
How Is Indigestion Diagnosed
A healthcare provider will review your medical history, symptoms and lifestyle. Try to explain your indigestion in as much detail as possible. Note the type of discomfort and where you feel it. Also tell your healthcare provider when you experience indigestion. For example, does it occur after a meal or on an empty stomach? Is it worse in the morning or at night? Do certain foods make it worse?
Your healthcare provider will do a physical exam. Theyll check your belly for swelling or tenderness. They may use a stethoscope to check your stomach for growling or gurgling.
Other diagnostic tests may include:
- Blood tests, to assess your liver, kidney and thyroid function.
- Breath test, to check for H pylori.
- Imaging exams, to check for blockages or other problems in the intestines. Imaging exams may include X-ray,CT scan or upper endoscopy.
- Stool test, to check poop for H. pylori or other bacterial infections.
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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.
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.
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Abdominal Pain And Nausea
The most likely cause is caloric overload. You have stomach pain because you have overeated, eaten too much fatty food, too much sugar, abused alcohol. Otherwise, this pain may be consistent with anxiety, as it is rarely an organic symptom . If the problems are recent and accompanied by warning signs, such as weight loss, anemia, fever, or fatigue, you should see a doctor who will make sure there is no more serious pathology behind it.
When Should I Become Concerned About Stomach Pain
Any pain that is chronic in nature or atypical should be addressed as it could be a sign of something more serious. Visiting a specialist may help uncover the exact cause and need for further treatment. Some of the warning signs may include:
Persistent nausea
Vomiting with or without blood
Unable to eat or drink
Bloody emesis
Yellowing of the skin or whites of eyes
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Can Stomachaches Be Prevented
Not all belly pain can be prevented. But to help avoid common types of stomachaches:
- Wash your hands before eating or preparing food, and after using the bathroom.
- Don’t overeat, and try not to eat right before going to sleep.
- Drink plenty of water and eat fiber-rich foods, such as fruits and vegetables, to keep food moving through your digestive system.
- Avoid foods that have passed their expiration date or or weren’t stored properly.
- If you have a food allergy or intolerance, avoid eating foods that make you sick. If you have a food allergy, always carry two epinephrine auto-injectors, and know when you should use them.
Other Causes: Stress Anxiety And Medications
There is an incredible connection between the mind and the body and the things we put into it. If you dont have any of the above conditions but feel sick after eating, read on to discover how stress, anxiety, and normal medications may be causing your problem.
- Stress and anxiety: Irritable bowel syndrome is a frustrating condition that causes abdominal pain, cramping, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea. It currently has no known specific cause, but there is thought to be a link between IBS, sensitivity to stress, and regulating the response to stress. Research shows that 5090 percent of IBS sufferers also have a psychiatric disorder like anxiety or depression.
- Medications: There are a variety of medications that can lead to stomach pain after eating and/or digestive issues. NSAIDS, nitrates, calcium channel blockers, oral antibiotics, and birth control pills may cause GERD and reflux or irritate the lining of the stomach. Long-term use may lead to gastritis, ulcers, bleeding, or stomach perforation.
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