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Why Does Stomach Cramp After Eating

How To Stop Bloating After Eating

Does your stomach ache after eating ?

Bloating remedies can be very helpful as a natural way to relieve bloating. If you cant figure out what is the cause of the bloating in your body however, or if the bloated stomach after eating has been persistent for more than a week, we highly recommend that you should see your doctor, as there may be an underlying medical condition that causes the bloating.

You Might Have Inflammatory Bowel Disease

IBD is an umbrella term for two conditions that both cause chronic inflammation of various parts of the digestive tract: Crohns disease and ulcerative colitis. People with either type of IBD often experience periods of remission followed by flare-ups, according to the Mayo Clinic.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explains that Crohns disease usually affects the part of the small intestine that meets the large intestine, but the characteristic patches of inflammation it causes can be anywhere from the mouth to the rectum and seep through multiple layers of the G.I. lining. Ulcerative colitis, on the other hand, affects continuous portions of the large intestine and/or rectum, with the innermost lining becoming inflamed.

If you have Crohns disease, youre likely to deal with abdominal cramping, diarrhea, and weight loss, and might also have additional symptoms like fatigue, nausea, joint pain, and anemia, the NIDDK says. With ulcerative colitis, the most common symptoms are abdominal pain and diarrhea , the NIDDK notes, though you may also have issues such as fatigue, nausea, anemia, and an urgent need to use the bathroom.

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.

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Do You Feel Pain When You Have An Eating Disorder

The past two years have been a period of incredible hardship for me as I stumbled through this eating disorder recovery journey. While I would never wish pain on anyone, it is, unfortunately, universal. Every single one of us will experience pain at some point in our lives. Im still learning to manage the hurt.

Treatment Of Abdominal Pain

Why do I have stomach cramps after eating?

In case the pain is mild, you can follow simple methods like taking rest, avoiding eating any foods that may cause discomfort, avoiding carbonated drinks, etc. However, along with stomach pain, if other symptoms like nausea, vomiting, severe cramping, chest pain, etc., are observed, you should consult the doctor.

It is advisable to maintain a food diary to identify food intolerance. Diverticulitis can be treated with medications. However, in severe cases, a surgery may be required. Gastritis can be treated with the help of medications.

Intestinal obstruction can be treated with surgical procedures. Although there is no cure for irritable bowel syndrome, there are medications that help in alleviating the symptoms. People are also advised to stay away from factors that trigger off this condition in order to prevent it from recurring.

Depending on the nature and type of pain, you need to determine if medical attention is required or not. In case the symptoms persist, it is wise to seek medical assistance.

Disclaimer: This HealthHearty article is for informative purposes only and does not, in any way, seek to replace the advice of an expert.

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Fiber And Acid Reflux

Stomach pain after eating fruit is most commonly related to fructose malabsorption however, there are other possible explanations. Fruits are rich sources of dietary fiber, which comes from the cell walls of plant foods. Your body can’t digest dietary fiber, so it moves through the digestive system mainly intact.

Read more: Signs and Symptoms of Too Much Fiber in the Diet

This provides many benefits for your health, including improved bowel function and lower cholesterol. However, for some people, eating too much fiber at once can cause digestive problems, potentially including stomach cramps after eating fruit. Fruits that are particularly high in fiber include raspberries, pears, apples and bananas.

How much fruit do you typically eat in one sitting? Eating a lot of fruit at one time especially high-fiber fruits can cause you to get too much fiber which, according to Duke University Student Health, can cause bloating, constipation, gas, abdominal cramping and diarrhea.

Read more:The 10 Worst Foods for Acid Reflux

Some fruits may also contribute to acid reflux or gastrointestinal reflux disease . In both cases, the stomach’s contents back up into the esophagus and cause the characteristic burning sensation known as heartburn. It can also cause pain in the upper abdomen. Tomatoes and citrus fruits such as lemons, limes, oranges and grapefruit are common triggers due to their high acidity but other fruits could worsen acid reflux on an individual basis.

How Do Doctors Find The Cause Of A Stomachache

To find the cause of a stomachache, doctors ask about:

  • your symptoms
  • illnesses youve had in the past
  • health conditions that other family members have

Be honest with your doctor, even if a symptom seems embarrassing.

The doctor will do an exam and sometimes might order tests, such as an X-ray, ultrasound, or blood test. It all depends on what the doctor thinks is causing the problem.

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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.

Visit The Sydney Gut Clinic

I’m 16 weeks pregnant and get bad stomach and chest pain after eating. What can I do?

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.

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When To Contact A Medical Professional

Get medical help right away or call your local emergency number if you:

  • Are currently being treated for cancer
  • Are unable to pass stool, especially if you are also vomiting
  • Are vomiting blood or have blood in your stool
  • Have chest, neck, or shoulder pain
  • Have sudden, sharp abdominal pain
  • Have pain in, or between, your shoulder blades with nausea
  • Have tenderness in your belly, or your belly is rigid and hard to the touch
  • Are pregnant or could be pregnant
  • Had a recent injury to your abdomen
  • Have difficulty breathing

When To See A Doctor

Most stomach spasms are harmless and go away without further treatment. If your stomach spasms are painful or happen often, they could be a sign of a more serious medical issue. See your doctor if you have any of these symptoms in addition to stomach spasms:

  • vomiting
  • blood in your bowel movements
  • severe pain, especially chest pain
  • long-lasting or recurring stomach spasms
  • fever
  • shortness of breath

You should also see your doctor if your stomach spasms are interfering with your daily life or causing you distress.

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What Is A Stressed Belly

What exactly is a stress belly? Basically, stress belly is not a medical diagnosis, its a way of describing how stress and stress hormones can affect your weight, especially your belly. For instance, higher levels of cortisol the primary stress hormone have been associated with abdominal obesity.

When To Call The Doctor

Why Does My Stomach Pain After Eating?

If you experience symptoms for more than a week, its wise to make a doctors appointment. However, if you have severe symptoms at any point throughout, it is also a good idea to be seen. Other symptoms that warrant a doctor visit include high fever, nausea and vomiting, confusion, difficulty speaking, vision problems, rapid heart rate, and seizures. While the most common symptoms of diarrhea and stomach problems are flu, food reactions, medications, stress, alcohol consumption, IBD, and IBS, these conditions can also be indicative of cancer, cystic fibrosis, appendicitis, or intestinal obstruction. If you have persistent symptoms, its best to be safe and be seen.

If you need to see a doctor for diarrhea and abdominal pain, or you are experiencing other GI upset, book an appointment at Carolina Digestive today.

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Why Does Your Stomach Hurt

Stomach cramps can range from mild achiness to severe, stabbing pain.

Common causes of stomach cramps include eating foods that can irritate your stomach, constipation, food poisoning, or a stomach infection. People who have anxiety may also develop stomach cramps.

Pregnant people may experience stomach cramps as the fetus grows. Menstrual cramps are also very common, though they actually take place in the uterus.

Sometimes stomach cramps are constant. In this case, a chronic digestive illness, such as irritable bowel disease, may be the cause.

Most stomach cramps go away on their own within a few hours or a couple of days. Changing what you eat and taking over-the-counter medication can help with symptoms while you recover.

Some stomach cramps may require medical attention. You should be concerned about stomach cramps if they last for a week or longer or are so severe that you cant function, or you also have symptoms like fever or blood in your vomit or stool.

Crampy Pain With Diarrhea Or Constipation

Lower “crampy” abdominal pain accompanied by bloating and diarrhea or constipation can be signs of irritable bowel syndrome , says Singh. “It’s exceptionally common and affects 15% of the U.S. population, particularly younger women, although it can happen at any age.” Symptoms of IBS can usually be controlled by managing diet, lifestyle, and stress. Medication and counseling may be needed in some cases.

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When Should I Get Help

Always respect pain or discomfort that is severe and persistent.

Here are some additional warning signs that you should not ignore:

  • A persistently high fever.
  • Pain that lasts more than a couple of days.
  • Diarrhea and vomiting that lasts more than a few days.
  • Vomiting blood or blood in stools.
  • Yellow skin .
  • Unexplained weight loss.
  • Persistent swelling of the abdomen with pain that lasts more than a few days.
  • A burning sensation when urinating.
  • Shortness of breath and difficulty breathing.

When Should You See A Doctor

What is the main reason of stomach bloating after eating fruits?

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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A Summary Of Stomach Pain After Eating

There are many reasons why you might experience stomach pains after eating. Its likely that it isnt anything serious and it can be easily treated.

Its worth considering portion control and your food choices. However, if the problems persist it might be worth consulting your GP.

The advice in this article is for information only and should not replace medical care. Please check with your GP or healthcare professional before trying any supplements, treatments or remedies. Food supplements must not be used as a substitute for a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle.

27 April 2021

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 .

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What Causes Stomach Pain After Eating

Last reviewed: Medically reviewed

All of Healthilys articles undergo medical safety checks to verify that the information is medically safe. View more details in our safety page, or read our editorial policy.

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.

What Causes Acute Pd

Why does my stomach hurt after I eat? 21 causes of pain

Some conditions or issues may cause a brief bout of PD. Time may put a stop to the PD symptoms, or medicine may be required. These causes include:

Viral infection: Viral infections, like stomach bugs, can cause temporary PD and make your digestive tract extra sensitive. The PD may last for a few days, even after other symptoms have eased.

Lactose intolerance: People with an allergy to lactose, a type of sugar found in dairy products, may experience PD if they eat foods containing lactose. Symptoms of lactose intolerance include bloating, abdominal cramping, and diarrhea.

Food poisoning: The human body does a good job of knowing it has eaten something it shouldnt. When it detects the bad food, your body will probably try to expel it immediately. That may cause diarrhea or vomiting within a few minutes of eating the contaminated food.

Sugar malabsorption: This condition is very similar to lactose intolerance. Some peoples bodies cant properly absorb sugars like lactose and fructose. When these sugars enter the intestine, they can cause diarrhea and other gastrointestinal issues.

Toddlers diarrhea: Toddlers and young children who drink a lot of fruit juice may develop PD. The high amounts of sugar in these drinks can draw water into the bowels, which can cause watery stools and diarrhea.

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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.

Overeating And Your Digestion

The average stomach ordinarily holds about one or two cups of food. When we overeat, we may be consuming twice that or even more. To make room for that extra food, your stomach stretches like a balloon. If you overeat frequently, your stomach expands easily . Most people will feel discomfort as their stomach is stretched beyond its normal capacity.

Depending on what youve eaten, that feeling may stick around. Foods high in fat and fiber take longer to digest. So, if youve overeaten fried foods, expect stomach pain to linger.

As that food lingers in your belly, it can start to push up against your diaphragm, causing you to have shallow breaths. It can also cause digestive fluids to sneak back up into your esophagus. When that happens, you may experience heartburn, which has nothing to do with your heart, or a sour, acidic taste in your mouth.

Here are four guidelines to help avoid these symptoms.

Slow down. As you eat and your stomach stretches, hormones signal to your brain that youre full. If you eat too quickly, youll have overeaten by the time your body gets the fullness signal. Also, try to listen to your body when you get that full feeling.

Get moving. If youve overeaten, take a gentle walk to help stimulate the process in your body that pushes the food down your gastrointestinal tract. Dont run or overexert yourself, though. If you work too hard, blood will flow to your legs rather than your stomach, and digestion will slow down.

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