Why Your Stomach Hurts When You Eat
If your tummy hurts after eating, a simple bout of indigestion might be to blame. But there are also times when pain after eating can be a sign of something more serious. Read on to learn about some of the common causes of stomach ache, abdominal pain or stomach cramps after eating, how to treat and manage the discomfort, and when to see a doctor.
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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.
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You Might Have Eaten More Than Your Stomach Could Handle
Experts say this tends to be the most common cause for this specific type of discomfort. Im sure all of us have had that situation where weve eaten too much and we get stomach cramps, Suneeta Krishnareddy, M.D., M.S., assistant professor of medicine in the faculty of digestive and liver diseases at Columbia University Medical Center, tells SELF. Its usually just caused by the stomach stretchingbecause it is a very stretchy organbecause theres too much food in there. This stomach stretching can also happen because of the bacteria in your G.I. tract trying to help you break down the food, which can cause gas and distension, Dr. Krishnareddy says. That stretch in some people causes pain or cramping, she explains.
To be super clear, were not saying theres anything inherently wrong with sometimes eating a lot . Eating past the point of fullness on some occasions can actually be part of having a normal relationship with food. And, of course, if you deal with a disordered eating issue like binge eating disorder, navigating how much you eat can be really complex and not feel entirely under your control right now. So, seriously, no judgment here. But if youre dealing with stomach cramps after eating often and think its because you have a hard time not eating past the point of fullness, talking to a doctor, therapist, or registered dietitian may help.
How Is The Cause Of Abdominal Pain Diagnosed
Abdominal pain is one of the most common symptoms seen by GPs .
Information about your symptoms and the location of the abdominal pain can help a doctor diagnose the cause of your pain. They will want to know how long you have had the pain and may want to do a physical examination. If you are female, this may include a pelvic examination. If you are male, it may include checking your penis and scrotum.
They may suggest you have some blood tests or other diagnostic procedures done, especially if you have had the symptoms for some time.
Tests and procedures that may help in diagnosing the cause of abdominal pain include:
Other procedures that may be suggested, depending on your gender, include:
- pregnancy test and/or pelvic ultrasound
- ultrasound of the scrotum
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Food Allergy Or Intolerance
Some people may be allergic to certain foods. These can irritate the stomach and may cause pain after eating.
An intolerance is a milder form of an allergy. Both allergies and intolerances can be caused by many different foods.
Common intolerances include gluten, wheat, and lactose.
People can keep a food diary if they think they might have an allergy.
A food diary is a written record of what they have consumed at each meal, including drinks and snacks. They should also include a note of when their stomach hurts.
Keeping a diary can help determine the foods causing an issue. People can then cut this food out of their diet.
What To Do When Its More Than An Upset Stomach
If you continue to experience stomach discomfort more times than not, you notice your body responds poorly to certain foods, or you suddenly get very sick after eating, itâs a good idea to see a doctor. You could have a food intolerance or have contracted a foodborne illness. When it comes to your stomach, itâs better to be safe than sorry.
The more you know about your body and how it reacts to food, the better you can avoid any digestive discomfort. But, life happens, and itâs impossible to protect your stomach from everything. Whenever an upset stomach happens, you can trust Pepto Bismol to help provide relief.
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When To Go To The Healthcare Provider
Pain in the body means that something is wrong. If you experience pain after eating only every once in a while and it is not debilitating, you may want to mention it to your healthcare provider the next time that you see them.
But if you are experiencing pain after eating on a fairly frequent basis, it is essential that you make an appointment right away with your healthcare provider to ensure that you get an accurate diagnosis and come up with a treatment plan.
If the pain is severe, debilitating, and accompanied by jaundice, fever, rapid heart rate, chills, or severe vomiting, you should seek emergency care.
Why Do I Get Pain In My Diaphragm After Eating
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Trauma, twisting movements, and excessive coughing can all strain the rib muscles, which can cause a pain similar to diaphragm pain. The pain of broken ribs can also resemble diaphragm pain. Treatment options include: physical therapy.
Beside above, what does diaphragm pain feel like? Symptoms of diaphragm painastitch in your side when you exercise. inability to take a full breath. low blood oxygen levels. pain in your chest or lower ribs.
Similarly, it is asked, why does my upper stomach hurt after eating?
More Common Causes of Postprandial PainDyspepsia: Pain after eating that occurs in the middle part of your upper abdomen may be caused by dyspepsia, often commonly referred to as indigestion. 1? Dyspepsia may also cause a burning sensation in the same area. Bloating and nausea may also be experienced.
What causes pain in the stomach after eating?
Various causes of abdominal pain include, but are not limited to, indigestion after eating, gallstones and gallbladder inflammation , pregnancy, gas, inflammatory bowel disease , appendicitis, ulcers, gastritis, gastroesophageal reflux disease , pancreatitis,
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Diagnosis Of Stomach Pain After Meals
Your doctor will ask you a number of questions about your diet, lifestyle, and medical history. All of these can significantly affect the digestive system.
Doctors can use computerized tomography and magnetic resonance imaging scans to diagnose gastrointestinal pain, but it is not always easy to generate accurate images of the digestive system using these methods.
You Might Have A Food Intolerance
If you find that your cramps keep happening after you eat certain things, you might have an intolerance to a specific food substance. Common culprits of intolerances are foods that are designated as fermentable oligo-, di-, and monosaccharides and polyols , which is a fancy designation for poorly-digested carbohydrates, Dr. Ahuja says. Examples include fruits like apples and pears, veggies like cauliflower and lentils, and dairy products. In fact, trouble processing lactose is the most common type of food intolerance, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
In addition to getting abdominal pain when you eat that particular food, you might also deal with symptoms like nausea, bloating, gas, vomiting, heartburn, diarrhea, and more, the Cleveland Clinic says. And keep in mind that different people can be intolerant to the same food to different extents. For example, Dr. Krishnareddy explains, someone who is mildly lactose intolerant may be able to digest cheese and yogurt but not a milky latte, whereas someone with a severe intolerance may not be able to digest any form of dairy very well.
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What Does It Mean When You Eat And Your Stomach Hurts After
Looking for an answer to the question: What does it mean when you eat and your stomach hurts after? On this page, we have gathered for you the most accurate and comprehensive information that will fully answer the question: What does it mean when you eat and your stomach hurts after?
Reasons Abdominal Pain Can Worsen After Eating & Relief Options. Having abdominal pain after eating, also known as postprandial pain , can also be associated with nausea or diarrhea immediately after eating. Abdominal pain that gets worse after eating commonly occurs when there is infection or irritants to the organs of the digestive system.
A likely cause of stomachpainafter eatingis an ulcer. An ulcer is a deep,open sore in the stomachor intestines. The reason for stomachpainmay be food or stomachacid that irritates the ulcer.
Food intolerancesare a common cause of stomach pain after eating. Many food intolerances can be triggered after every meal because most foods contain ingredients that can trigger the intolerance. The most common intolerances that can affect you after every meal are gluten and lactose intolerance.
Ingredients Used In Pasta Sauces
It is important to note that pasta is usually served with a sauce. The ingredients present in pasta sauces that can trigger stomach pain include dairy and tomatoes. The red sauces are usually made out of tomatoes which can instigate an allergic response in some individuals. As for sauces that contain milk or cream, they can also trigger stomach pain due to lactose intolerance or an allergic reaction. Remember that lactose intolerance is a digestive issue that can cause bloating, stomach pain, cramping, diarrhea and gas after the consumption of dairy products.
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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.
You Might Have Irritable Bowel Syndrome
On top of abdominal pains , symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome can include excess gas, bloating, diarrhea or constipation , and seeing mucus in your stool, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Its not clear exactly what causes IBS, but there are a few theories. People with IBS may have abnormalities in how their brains and guts interact that lead to digestive problems and pain, the NIDDK explains.
This can manifest in a few different ways. Dr. Chey says that people with IBS may have large intestines that contract more strongly and more frequently when they eat a meal than other peoples, which can then cause abdominal pain and other issues. Another theory is that people with IBS are extra sensitive to the stretch that is normal in the intestines from the breakdown of food products, Dr. Krishnareddy says.
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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 Causes Stomach Pain After Eating
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If your tummy hurts after eating, a simple bout of indigestion might be to blame. But there are also times when pain after eating can be a sign of something more serious.
Read on to learn about some of the common causes of stomach ache, abdominal pain or stomach cramps after eating, how to treat and manage the discomfort, and when to see a doctor.
Recommended Reading: When You Have Cramps In Your Stomach
Why Does Fish Upset My Stomach
What does it mean when your stomach hurts every time you eat? Gastritis Gastritis causes the lining of the stomach to become inflamed. It can cause stomach pain, sickness, vomiting, and indigestion. Mild gastritis can be treated at home with medication and changes to diet. Cutting out acidic foods and eating smaller meals throughout the day can …
How Is Gastritis Treated
Fortunately, gastritis improves quickly once treatment has begun, and the underlying problems or causes have been resolved. Treatments include:
- Acid-suppressing medications: your physician may encourage you to take antacids or other drugs, such as H2 blockers or proton pump inhibitors to reduce acid in your stomach
- Adjustment to your diet: avoiding hot and spicy foods and removing irritating foods from your diet, such as lactose from dairy or gluten from wheat, and eating smaller and more frequent meals can have a significant impact
If your gastritis is caused by a bacterial infection, your physician may prescribe antibiotics, along with acid-blocking drugs if pernicious anemia is the cause, the physician may give you a B12 vitamin shot.
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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.
Does This Mean I Have To Stop Eating Meat
Well, the good news is no. You dont have to stop eating meat. There is still plenty of protein and nutrients in meat that can contribute to a healthy lifestyle.
Doctor suggests: If you eat red meat, limit consumption to no more than about three portions per week. Three portions is equivalent to about 350500g cooked weight.
The important thing to consider is the amount of meat we consume and is it part of an overall balanced diet.
Or, are we just consuming tons of meat because you enjoy the taste?
While that was totally normal when we were in our 20s and even 30s as you start to reach your 40s things start to break down. And you begin to realize some adjustments in lifestyle need to be made regarding your diet and nutrition..
Not just for a healthy optimal body, but for your children that should never have to worry about the health of their parents. It should be the other way around.
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When Should I See My Doctor
In some cases, you should seek urgent medical attention or consult a doctor if you have abdominal pain.
If you have a sudden, severe, incapacitating pain in your abdomen, go immediately to your nearest emergency department or call triple zero and ask for an ambulance.
You should also seek urgent medical attention if you have pain that:
- is severe and/or getting worse
- has lasted for several hours or more
- wakes you from sleep
- is spreading to your neck, chest or shoulders
- makes it difficult to swallow
Urgent medical attention is also required if you have abdominal pain accompanied by
- unexplained weight loss
- skin that appears yellow
If you are experiencing pain high up in your abdomen that is made worse by exercise it could be angina or a heart attack. If you, or someone near you is experiencing symptoms of a heart attack, call triple zero immediately and ask for an ambulance.
If you are pregnant and experiencing abdominal pain, check with your doctor or midwife. Abdominal pains are common in pregnancy, but should always be checked out.
If your abdominal pain does not match the situations above, but it is recurrent or persistent , or it started mild but is worsening, you should still consult a doctor.