Stomach Pain after Eating: What Are The Causes?

Experiencing stomach pain after eating may be common but it is definitely not classified as normal. One must at least try to discover the cause of such discomfort and seek medical advice on how to treat or prevent such occurrence. If a person is prudent enough in understanding the cause of such pain, serious complications might be avoided in the future. It would be better to know the kind of pain felt and the frequency of the pain to determine what triggers the ache felt by the stomach. There are various causes as to what brings about the bouts of pain after eating. The pain felt can be described as a mild ache, stomach cramps, sharp pain or a dull ache. It may be a lone symptom or accompanied by other signs such as fever, vomiting, or diarrhoea in severe cases.

The most common cause of stomach pain after eating is indigestion. It is generally a feeling of fullness accompanied by an ache in the upper area of the stomach during or after a meal. Indigestion is actually more of a symptom of an underlying problem rather than an independent condition. It is commonly experienced by people who have ulcers, GERD or gastroesophageal reflux disease, and gallbladder problems. Stress, alcohol use, smoking, drug use, anxiety, and depression are sure to aggravate this condition. The doctor will find it necessary to perform some tests like x-rays and blood tests before prescribing medication in order to rule out underlying conditions.

One can prevent indigestion by making slight changes to one’s habits like avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption. Eating small meals will also help the stomach to digest food. Eating slowly will give time for the stomach to break down food thoroughly. Cutting down on caffeine, smoking, and alcohol will protect the stomach lining from being irritated. It is also advised that one avoid heavy activity after eating. One must not immediately lie down after eating or at least wait until three hours before going to bed. Tight fitting clothes, especially the ones that restrict the belly area tend to press on the stomach and might cause its contents to rise up the esophagus. Another cause of stomach pain after eating is gallstones.

The pain is localized in the upper right side of the stomach and may be felt on the right shoulder, right upper chest and back. This is usually accompanied by vomiting and gas. Food poisoning is also a cause of pain in the stomach after eating. This occurs when one happens to ingest food or water that is contaminated by bacteria. These food borne organisms might not manifest any symptom at all or might cause the person to have mild stomach cramps, vomiting, and diarrhoea. There are hundreds of diseases that might cause food poisoning. Stool tests are often done to properly determine the culprit.

It is important to properly diagnose the cause of stomach pain after eating in order to treat it right. It might just be a simple case of overeating or a mere symptom of a more serious underlying condition.