Fructose Intolerance And Stomach Discomfort
Fructose is a simple sugar found in many types of fruits, including bananas. Though bananas contain relatively low amounts compared to juicier, sweeter fruits, each banana contains around 5 percent fructose, according to the USDA National Nutrient Database. Some people react badly to fructose because they’re unable to break it down in the gut. This condition is known as hereditary fructose intolerance. Usually, fructose intolerance is diagnosed at birth.
How To Get Rid Of The Stomach Discomfort
Whether youâre uncomfortable because of gas, diarrhea or indigestion, there are several things you can do to find some relief. A quick and trusted method is to take Pepto Bismol. When used as directed, Pepto Bismol soothes your discomfort with proteins that enhance the viscosity of the protective layer in the upper gastrointestinal tract to help you feel better. Other ways to battle the bloating include drinking water, going to the bathroom, or waiting it out. If you want to be proactive, you can take note of foods that your body reacts poorly to and make changes in your diet to avoid them.
How To Get Relief
Though you may not experience total relief until your body has fully digested the food, the best methods for how to relieve stomach pain from nuts are similar to the measures you can take to ease any belly ache. Here are some natural remedies for an upset stomach that may help:
- Eat plain, non-irritating foods like bananas, rice, applesauce and toast
- Eat probiotic-rich foods like yogurt or kefir
- Drink plenty of water
- Sip ginger or licorice root tea
- Do gentle yoga to aid digestion and ease bloating
- Sniff peppermint
- Avoid dairy products, carbonated drinks, alcohol and smoking
If you feel gassy, bloated or crampy after eating nuts like almonds, cashews or pistachios, as well as peanuts , there are also steps you can take to prevent discomfort in the first place. Nichols recommends tricking the nut or seed to germinate prior to eating it, which can be done by soaking it in water. In general, plan for a soak time of seven hours, she says.
Your nuts will come out of their bath soft, so you can then use them to make nut milk or cream for recipes. Otherwise, to get them crispy and crunchy again, you’ll need to dehydrate the soaked nuts in an oven at a low temperature of 150 to 170 degrees Fahrenheit for about 12 hours, says Nichols.
If all that sounds like a tall order, you can speed up the process by using a dehydrator or, even quicker, by buying nuts that are already sprouted, which are available in some grocery stores.
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How Can I Improve My Digestive System
Your digestive system breaks down food into nutrients your body needs to function properly. And when it comes to a healthy gut, bacteria plays a huge role. Balanced levels of healthy bacteria create normal gut flora and line the entire digestive system, synthesizing vitamin K, and promoting blood flow and enteric nerve functions.
Your diet and lifestyle can have a direct impact on your gut health. Here are signs of an unhealthy digestive system and what you can do to help it function efficiently and improve your overall health.
What Are The Four Types Of Abdominal Pain
Since your abdomen it is home to many organs, your healthcare provider may want to narrow down the kind of pain youre having by narrowing down the region youre feeling it in. Healthcare providers often divide the abdomen into quadrants or four parts. They may ask if your pain is in the:
- Right upper quadrant.
- Left lower quadrant.
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Why Your Stomach Aches After Eating
There are several reasons why your stomach might hurt after eating. If you ate more than usual, it could be hurting because itâs full of too much food. On the other hand, your stomach could feel âoffâ because you ate foods that disagree with it. Spicy, starchy or especially decadent foods can cause stomach discomfort in some people because these foods often lead to bloating or gas to build up inside the stomach.
Peppermint Oil And Aloe Vera
Both peppermint oil and aloe vera have been clinically proven in separate studies to treat symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome such as painful cramping.
The peppermint oil study published in the Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology advises that more research is needed to determine the effects of the oil in conjunction with other treatments involving antispasmodic and antidepressant drugs.
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Medical Conditions Responsible For Stomach Ache
Some types of stomach pain need not be linked to what you eat. They can be caused by conditions that are triggered by when you eat. These include:
Causes For Stomach Pain After Eating
1. Food Allergy or Intolerance. Many people experience food allergies and intolerances that result in persistent gastrointestinal symptoms, such as gas, bloating, cramping, and diarrhea. Common allergens include eggs, tree nuts, peanuts, shellfish, milk, soy, wheat, and more. If symptoms are minor, these conditions can go undiagnosed for years!
2. IBS. Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a common disorder that affects the large intestine . IBS can cause bloating, abdominal cramping, diarrhea, constipation, gas, and other negative gastrointestinal symptoms. IBS is chronic and requires managing symptoms, often through dietary changes.
3. Gastritis. Gastritis is a broad term for inflammation/swelling of the stomach lining. It can be caused by infection, overuse of pain medications , injuries, certain foods, and overuse of alcohol. Gastritis can result in abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and weakness.
4. Celiac Disease. Celiac Disease is a chronic immune disease that is characterized by an inability to eat gluten. Eating foods with gluten damages the small intestine and immune system of people with Celiac. Symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss, bloating, and mood changes. It is often genetic and can be diagnosed with a blood test.
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You Can’t Digest Fructose
One reason why you might get a stomach ache after eating fruit is because your body has trouble digesting fructose.
Fructose is one of the naturally occurring sugars found in fruits, fruit juices, some vegetables and honey, per the Mayo Clinic. When your digestive system doesn’t absorb fructose properly, it can lead to abdominal pain, diarrhea and gas.
There are a couple types of fructose-related digestive issues you could have. First: Fructose malabsorption, a condition where the cells of the small intestine can’t properly absorb the sugar, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
It leads to symptoms like:
- Low blood sugar
- In extreme cases, seizures or coma
âFix it:â Talk to your doctor if you regularly experience side effects after eating fruit to find out if you have fructose intolerance or malabsorption.
People with hereditary fructose intolerance should completely avoid foods or drinks that contain the sugar, per the Cleveland Clinic. If you have malabsorption, eating lower-fructose foods and limiting your fructose intake can help curb stomach cramps after eating fruit.
Lower-Fructose Fruits
Most fruit â including dried and canned fruit â is high in fructose. But there are some lower-fructose options to try if fruit hurts your stomach regularly, per the Cleveland Clinic:
- Strawberries
- Mangoes
How Much Fiber Should You Eat Every Day?
- âââPeople assigned female at birth:â 22 to 28 g
- ââPeople assigned male at birth: â28 to 34 g
Consider An Elimination Diet
Its important to maintain a healthy, balanced diet. But when a balanced diet doesnt improve your headaches after eating, consider talking to your doctor about an elimination diet.
An elimination diet is done much like a science experience in that you continue to try different food choices to see how youre impacted by each. This can help you discover food intolerances, sensitivities, and potential allergies.
For example, you may try going a certain period of time without dairy products to see if you still experience symptoms after eating. If your headaches go away during this time, you may have pinpointed a food sensitivity.
If they dont go away, you can add the dairy back to your diet and eliminate another food that may be the culprit. This process can be continued until a trigger food is revealed. You should always do an elimination diet under the guidance of a doctor or nutritionist.
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Visit The Sydney Gut Clinic
If stomach cramps are persistent and if you experience them very often, it is necessary to treat the underlying cause behind them. Schedule an appointment with us to get an accurate diagnosis of your condition.
At Sydney Gut Clinic, we have a team of gastrointestinal specialists trained to identify the causes behind symptoms you experience and direct you to the best treatment options.
- Vomiting
Which conditions can cause stomach cramps?
Stomach cramps are often a result of your body reacting to medical complications in the digestive tract. Most of the time they are triggered as a result of certain types of food.
If cramps occur outside your dietary habits, it may mean a different gastrointestinal condition like inflammatory bowel disease, intestinal obstruction, or even food poisoning and intestinal infections. Visit a gastrointestinal specialist to get an accurate diagnosis of the stomach cramps you experience.
Tips To Prevent Stomach Pain After Eating
- Keep a food journal to identify what may irritate your stomach.
- Maintain a healthy diet.
- Adhere to a regular eating schedule every day.
- Avoid eating within two hours of bedtime.
- Take small bites of food.
- Eat slowly.
- Limit or avoid foods that are spicy, fried, and have high-fat content.
- Avoid alcohol and carbonated drinks.
- Remain in an upright position for at least 30 minutes after eating.
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Here Are Some Of The Causes Of This Unexplained Stomach Ache After Eating:
1. Gallstones
The gallbladder is a tiny, sack-like organ present close to your liver. It releases the bile pigment in the body which is required for the digestion of fats. Gallstones are small stones which form in the gallbladder. In some cases, they are not fatal and does not cause much trouble. But sometimes, these stones cause swelling and block the duct in the intestine which results in pain. This pain usually begins after a fatty meal.
2. Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis is a condition characterized by inflammation in the pancreas. This inflammation can cause a burning sensation in the mid and upper abdomen. Lying down on your stomach can make things worse for you. It may result in nausea, vomiting and dull aches. Drinking too much alcohol can be responsible for it.
3. Food intolerance
4. Food allergy
5. IBS
6. Peptic ulcers
Peptic ulcers develop on the inner lining of the stomach and the upper part of the small intestine. These are likely to cause a burning sensation in your stomach. The symptoms can be worse if you eat spicy foods.
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.
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What Are The Side Effects Of Eating Too Much Meat
Many people who pay attention to their health and nutrition in particular know that eating too much red meat is wrong and can have negative health consequences. Were not talking about raw or uncooked steaks and barbecue right now weve already mentioned that above. But in general about the constant excessive consumption of beef meat. Studies note that often eating too much red meat can cause cardiovascular disease, cause type 2 diabetes, cause stomach or intestinal cancer, etc. So, the foundation in nutrition is moderation.
What Does Abdominal Pain Location Tell You
Location is an important clue to your abdominal pain, though its not the only factor. It may indicate which organs are involved. For example, pain in the upper right quadrant may indicate a problem with your liver or gallbladder.
However, your healthcare provider will also want to know more about what your pain feels like, how often you feel it, and how severe it is. This will give them additional clues about what kind of condition you may have.
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You Might Have A Food Allergy
A food allergy is a step up in severity from a food intolerance. If you have an allergic reaction to a food, it means your immune system has mistakenly identified that food as a potentially harmful invader and mounted a defense against it, the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology explains. That immune system defense is what leads to symptoms like abdominal cramping, a tingly or itchy mouth, hives and overall bodily itching, facial swelling, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, and even potentially life-threatening trouble breathing.
According to the AAAAI, the most common food allergens are proteins in cows milk, eggs, peanuts, wheat, soy, fish, shellfish, and tree nuts. If you notice youre constantly dealing with pretty intense symptom flare-ups after eating these foods, an allergy could be to blame.
Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth
SIBO happens when theres an overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine which causes the stomach to bloat. It can have similar symptoms to food intolerances, candida, or a leaky gut. However, SIBO tends to cause more bloating towards the end of the day. One of the symptoms of SIBO is stomach cramps after eating.
Holistic nutrition consultant, Mary Vance recommends the low FODMAP diet to reduce bloating and relieve the pain that you feel in your stomach. The low FODMAP diet eliminates certain type of foods which break down easily into sugars and continue to feed the bad bacteria in your small intestine. She has more information on the low FODMAP diet here.
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Conditions That Cause Severe Abdominal Pain
Appendicitis: This illness happens when the appendix, which is part of the large intestine, becomes infected and inflamed. If the appendix ruptures, it can become life-threatening. Surgery to remove the appendix, called an appendectomy, is the usual treatment.
Stomach ulcers: Crater-like sores in the lining of the stomach and small intestine. They can bleed or burst and be life-threatening if not treated. Medication to reduce your stomach acid can help treat them.
Gallstones: Hard stones, made up of cholesterol and other materials, can form in the gallbladder, which is just below the liver. They can cause inflammation of the gallbladder, which can lead to inflammation known as acute cholecystitis. Treatment for these problems includes removal of the gallbladder.
Kidney stones: Crystals of varying sizes that form in your urine can build up in your kidneys and cause severe pain. You can pass some on your own through urination, or doctors may remove them surgically.
Inflammatory bowel disease : A chronic inflammation in the digestive tract that can cause severe abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, and rectal bleeding. Examples of IBD include Crohns disease and ulcerative colitis.
Pancreatitis: The pancreas produces insulin and glucagon the two hormones that manage how your body processes sugar and aids in digestion. Inflammation of the pancreas is called pancreatitis, which can affect its performance and cause severe stomach pain.
Why Does My Stomach Hurt
There are numerous reasons for abdominal pain. It may be related to digestion, injury, infection or disease. It may come from an organ inside, or from the muscles or skin in your abdominal wall. Or it may have spread from somewhere else nearby.
Your healthcare provider will ask you detailed questions about your pain to determine the cause. How bad it feels doesnt necessarily indicate how serious it is. Some common, transient conditions can be intense, and some life-threatening conditions may feel mild.
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