What Does It Mean If You Feel Pain After A Meal?
Do you feel stomach pain immediately after your meal? Well, if the pain goes away in a while, the reason maybe your food. But if you have any other persistent symptoms along with stomach pain, then three may be a medical reason for it. Continue reading to know further.
Symptoms of Stomach Pain
Mild stomach pain can be treated with home remedies and over the counter medicines. But if the pain is severe, it can be due to an underlying medical condition.
There are many different types of stomach pain. The common symptoms of stomach pain are listed below.
Nausea
Bloating
Abdominal cramps
Acid reflux
Vomiting
Pain in the upper abdomen
Burning sensation in the lower abdomen
Dyspepsia (Indigestion)
Reasons for Stomach Pain after a Meal
FoodRelated Issues
The following food-related issues can be the cause of your stomach pain.
Food Poisoning
Acidic Foods
Spicy Foods
Coffee
Alcohol
Food Allergy and Intolerance
Overeating
Food Poisoning
When you feel stomach pain after eating your food, food poisoning can be the reason. Any uncooked food or toxins in the food can cause food poisoning. The typical symptoms of food poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, and lack of energy. Food poisoning lasts for a few days. It can be treated at home with rest and fluids.
Acidic Foods
Processed meats, Credits: pixabay
When you consume high amounts of acidic foods like processed meats, sugary drinks, tomatoes, processed cheese, and fruit juices, you can get stomach pain. You can find alternatives and avoid acidic foods to combat the stomach ache.
Spicy Foods
Chili peppers are part of spicy foods. They contain a chemical called capsaicin that irritates the stomach and causes a hot or burning sensation.
Coffee
Coffee, Credits: pixabay
Too much consumption of coffee can cause acidity. The caffeine can irritate the stomach and cause pain. Decaffeinated coffee and tea can be alternatives.
Alcohol
Carbonated alcoholic drinks like sparkling beer and wine can cause bloating and make the heartburn worse.
Food Allergy and Intolerance
Peanuts, Credits: pixabay
Some people are allergic to certain foods, which can irritate the stomach and cause pain. Food allergies happen when your body identifies food as a foreign particle and evokes a response against it.
The common foods that cause allergies include egg, gluten, fish and shellfish, peanuts, eggs, and wheat. You should avoid the foods that you are allergic to.
In food intolerance, there is no immune system involvement, but the digestive system is irritated as it cannot digest the food properly. The most common food intolerance is lactose intolerance.
Overeating
Overeating can cause the stomach to stretch beyond its normal capacity, causing pain, discomfort, and bloating.
2. Medical Conditions
Here are the following medical conditions that can be the cause of your stomach pain after eating.
Gastritis
Inflammatory Bowel disease
Stomach Ulcer
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Gall Stones
GERD
Celiac disease
Gastritis
Gastritis is the inflammation of the lining of the stomach. This causes stomach pain, vomiting, sickness, and indigestion. Gastritis is due to Helicobacter pylori infection.
Inflammatory Bowel disease
Inflammatory Bowel disease causes inflammation in the gut. Stomach pain is one of the main symptoms. The condition requires medications and lifestyle changes.
Stomach Ulcer
Stomach ulcers are due to infections or due to the use of medicines like aspirin for a longer period of time. Stomach ulcer causes pain in the middle of the stomach.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
IBS affects the digestive system and the common symptoms are constipation, bloating, and stomach cramps. There is no cure for IBS, but the symptoms can be managed through lifestyle modifications.
Gall Stones
Gall stones are hard pieces of material in the gall bladder, that block the bile duct causing sharp pain. Pain from gall stones usually occurs when you have a large meal, rich in fat. Treatment involves medications and surgery.
GERD
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a chronic digestive condition in which stomach acid comes back up into your esophagus. This acid reflux irritates the lining of the esophagus and can cause damage.
Celiac Disease
Celiac disease is caused by an allergy to gluten, found in rye, barley, and wheat. The repeated exposure to gluten products causes damage to the lining of the small intestine. This disease causes stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and bloating. Having gluten-free diet can help manage the condition.
Stress, anxiety, and the long term use of certain medicines can also be the cause of some forms of stomach pain.
Diagnosis of Stomach Pain
If stomach pain is severe and persistent, more invasive tests are necessary to identify the cause. Depending upon the severity, tests like colonoscopy, endoscopy, and MRI will be done.
Treatment for Stomach Pain
For food allergies and food intolerance, it is ideal to avoid the food that is the causative.
A lactose-free and gluten-free diet can help solve some of the issues of stomach pain.
Antacids can neutralize stomach acid and reduce the burning sensation.
Lansoprazoleand omeprazole can help heal the esophagus.
Laxatives and stool softeners can relieve occasional constipation and associated bloating.
Probiotics can improve overall digestive health.
Prevention of Stomach Pain
If the cause of your stomach pain is mild and is often seen after eating, you can try doing the following.
Do not overeat. Plan for 5 to 6 small meals per day.
Avoid acidic foods
Incorporate a diet rich in fiber, fruits, and vegetables.
Drink lots of water
Reduce stress
Take-Home Message
Mild stomach pain can be managed with lifestyle modifications. Severe, uncontrolled pain requires proper diagnosis and treatment.