Stomach pain after eating is never fun, especially when you are unsure of the cause of it. Although it could be something harmless, such as indigestion, it could also be a sign of a serious medical issue. Read on for some possible causes of your stomach pain after eating.
Indigestion
Indigestion is a common issue that most people have dealt with at least some point in their life. Indigestion occurs when stomach acid irritates the sensitive, protective lining of the stomach. This can feel like a burning sensation in your stomach and can also lead to bloating or heartburn. Although indigestion is not life threatening, it can be very uncomfortable to deal with. Usually indigestion can be treated at home. Certain foods, such as rich and fatty or spicy foods, can lead to more severe symptoms of indigestion. Avoiding these or similar foods that you notice cause indigestion can help to control it. Taking antacids can also help to reduce indigestion. If it continues to be a problem that is interfering with your daily life, you may want to talk to your doctor about it. They could be able to prescribe stronger medications or investigate further for possible causes.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, can also be the reason for your stomach hurting. IBS is an ongoing condition that can lead to stomach cramps, bloating, diarrhea, or constipation. If you are also noticing more severe symptoms, such as blood in your stool or weight loss, you should consult your doctor. Like indigestion, IBS can also be made worse by consuming certain foods. Noticing what foods worsen your IBS can be one of the only ways to help treat it. You can work with your doctor to make diet and lifestyle changes to see if that helps to decrease your symptoms.
Stomach Ulcer
Stomach ulcers are open sores in the protective lining of your stomach. These are the result from an infection or from taking certain anti-inflammatory drugs, such as aspirin or ibuprofen. Stomach ulcers usually lead to a burning pain in your stomach and can either feel better or worse after eating, depending on where the ulcer is. If you suspect you have a stomach ulcer, you should go to a doctor as they may prescribe treatment.
Food Intolerance
If you are noticing stomach pain after only eating certain foods, you probably have some kind of food allergy or food intolerance. Luckily, with food intolerances you are able to avoid the cause of the stomach problem once you are able to figure it out. You can get tested for food allergies or food intolerances to figure out what food to avoid.
Eating Too Much
Your stomach pain after eating may simply be caused by overeating. If you think this could be the problem, try slowing down when you are eating. Watch out for cues that you are getting full while eating and try eating smaller portions. Avoid distractions, such as your phone or a TV, while eating so you are aware of how much food you are eating. Eating slower can also help your body digest your food better if indigestion is the problem.
Dealing with stomach cramps after eating can be one of the worst things, as it takes away the enjoyment of eating a meal. Also, since eating food is something that you have to do everyday, you may have to deal with stomach cramps more often than you may think. If your stomach cramps become an ongoing problem you should see a doctor as soon a possible. You may want to consider seeing a specialist if you think your problem is severe. Search ‘Colon and Rectal Surgery Specialist Voorhees, NJ’ or replace it with your location to find a list of specialists nearby. Starting to find a solution to this problem now will allow you to go back to enjoying your life as soon as possible.
