Why Does My Stomach Hurt After I Eat

Have you ever wondered why your stomach hurts after you eat? Why do you feel uncomfortable or suffocating? At times, we feel serious discomfort or pain in our stomach due to certain reasons that we are not even aware of!

That minor “tummy discomfort” might be the result of overeating or eating too quickly, but it could also indicate a more significant health concern. We’ll look at some of the probable reasons for stomach aches after eating in this post.

People are recommended to contact a doctor if stomach pain after eating persists for a long period and lifestyle and food adjustments do not help.

17 Causes of Abdominal Pain that Gets Worse After Eating

1. Intolerances of certain foods or allergies to foods

Nearly 20% of the population is thought to be intolerant or sensitive to particular foods. Food intolerances or sensitivities, which are typically linked to dairy, gluten, nuts, yeast, and tomatoes, cause stomach discomfort and cramps.

Food allergies can cause symptoms such as stomach aches and include dairy products, almonds, eggs, peanut butter, soy, maize, wheat, and gluten. To identify whether you are allergic to a certain food or substance, you can use a food-exclusion diet or an allergen-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibody test.

2. Excessive Consumption

Stomach ache is frequently induced by consuming meals too rapidly. When you overeat, you may not take the time to chew your meal thoroughly, and you may notice that the food vanishes rapidly from your plate. When eating, take your time and chew gently.

3. Spicy and acidic meals

Fruit juices, processed cheese, and tomatoes are acidic meals that can irritate the stomach.

Finding alternatives, such as substituting water or tea for fruit drinks, may assist to alleviate stomach aches.

Chili peppers are frequently used to add heat to spicy foods. Capsaicin, a substance that generates a hot or burning feeling, is present in them. Capsaicin can cause irritation in sensitive areas of the body, such as the stomach.

4. Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a condition that affects the gastrointestinal tract

This is a prevalent digestive condition that affects 15% of the population. Gas, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, cramping, abdominal discomfort, and stomach ache after eating are some of the signs and symptoms. Irritable bowel syndrome is linked to candida overgrowth, food allergies, and food sensitivities.

5. Celiac Disease

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease that affects the small

Celiac disease frequently causes stomach discomfort. Gluten sensitivity is a symptom of the disease. Gliadin, a gluten-derived protein present in wheat, rye, barley, spelled, and oats, triggers an allergic reaction in celiac disease sufferers.

6. Diverticulitis

Diverticulitis is a bacterial infection that causes pouches in the colon to become inflamed. Cysts and diverticula are other names for pouches. Fever, constipation, diarrhea, bloating, nausea, bowel pattern changes, and cramping discomfort, particularly in the lower left abdomen, are some of the symptoms. After eating, stomach ache is also prevalent.

7. Pancreatitis

Stomach pain after eating might be a sign of pancreatitis, especially if it lasts longer than six hours. Pancreatitis is the inflammation of the pancreas. Pancreatitis causes discomfort that starts in the upper abdomen and gradually spreads to the back. Fever, nausea, and vomiting are further pancreatitis symptoms.

8. Heartburn

Acid reflux or acid indigestion are terms used to describe heartburn. Heartburn is caused by a lack of stomach acid, which can cause scorching chest pain after eating. The discomfort might last anywhere from a few minutes to many hours.

Gallstones, spicy meals, stomach flu, lactose intolerance, food poisoning, appendicitis, pelvic inflammatory disease, Crohn’s disease, and peptic ulcers are all causes of stomach pain after eating. A clogged blood vessel might potentially cause stomach aches after eating.

9. Obstruction of the intestines

It might be difficult to digest foods correctly if you have a blockage in your colon or small intestine. Large bits of food may not be broken down if you consume too quickly. Intestinal blockage can also be caused by a hernia or tumor.

10. Candida albicans

Candida albicans is a kind of yeast. Chronic candida, commonly known as yeast overgrowth, can cause abdominal discomfort as a symptom. Chronic tiredness, bloating, gas, and depression are some of the other symptoms connected with candida.

11. Lactose Intolerance

Lactose is a naturally occurring sugar found in milk and other dairy products. Lactase is an enzyme that helps your body break down lactose. If you don’t have enough of it, your body may have difficulties breaking it down. This might result in diarrhea, gas, bloating, and a stomachache.

There is no cure, but you may manage it by consuming only a little quantity of dairy on a regular basis, purchasing lactose-free dairy products, or using Lactaid tablets over the counter.

12. Thyroid hyperactivity

Hormones produced by the thyroid gland instruct the body on how to function. Medical disorders caused by an overactive thyroid can impact the bones, muscles, and heart.

Stomach aches and diarrhea are two signs of an overactive thyroid. Other signs and symptoms include insomnia, weight loss, and a fast heartbeat.

13. Virus in the Stomach

This is a viral illness in your intestines that is also known as the stomach flu. You may have watery diarrhea, cramps, or nausea, as well as the possibility of vomiting. It can be contracted from someone who has it or through tainted food.

There is no cure, although it normally clears up on its own. If you have a fever, are vomiting, are dehydrated, or have blood in your vomit or stool, visit a doctor.

14. Ulcers of the Peptic Stomach

These are open sores on the stomach lining or the upper portion of the small intestine. Bacteria is the most prevalent cause, although long-term use of aspirin, ibuprofen, and other medications can also contribute. People who smoke or drink are more likely to get ulcers. They can be treated with proper medicines.

15. Constipation

Exercise, plenty of water, and high-fiber meals like prunes and whole grains can all help. However, if you pass fewer than three stools per week, have to strain to go, and your stools are lumpy and hard on a regular basis, this might indicate a more serious issue. If you have any of these symptoms, see your doctor.

16. Hernia incarcerated

When a section of your intestines slips through your abdominal wall, it’s called a hernia. It can cause significant discomfort in your stomach if it is twisted or relocated and cut off from its blood supply. To remedy the condition, surgery is frequently required.

17. Gallbladder Inflammation

Gallstones, which are little boulders produced from digestive secretions, obstruct the tubes, or ducts, that connect your liver, pancreas, gallbladder, and small intestine. Abdominal discomfort is the most frequent symptom; if it is severe or lasts for longer than a few hours, see your doctor.

Nausea, vomiting, fever, tea-colored urine, and light-colored feces are all possible symptoms. The stones may move on their own, but if they don’t, surgery may be required.

If someone exhibits any of the symptoms described above, they should seek medical attention.

Finally, if your life is being disrupted by stomach pains after eating, it’s time to seek expert help. “You should consult a doctor if your symptoms occur frequently enough to interfere with your ability to carry out your everyday activities,” Dr. Chey says.

This is especially true if you’re experiencing significant symptoms like vomiting (with or without blood), seeing blood in your stool (which can sometimes seem like tar instead of being red), or losing weight for no apparent reason, according to him.

Now that you know why your stomach hurts after you eat, you can certainly be more cautious, and follow a simple and healthy diet to refrain from this major problem.