There are many causes why you experience discomfort or pain in your stomach after you eat. If the discomfort or pain typically goes away on its own, this is most likely caused by the food you eat. If you are experiencing other symptoms or the discomfort does not go away even if you already changed your diet, this might be due to some medical condition.
In general, stomach pain or discomfort can be avoided if you eat healthy foods, including fruits and vegetables. You also need to avoid eating fatty and spicy foods, as well as drinking beverages which contain caffeine or high in sugar.
Eating satisfies hunger, and too much eating can make you feel full. And this is a natural physiological response of your body. There are cases when people tend to feel uncomfortable after eating. This is most likely because of the heaviness felt in the stomach.
Do you know that the walls of your stomach are just made of smooth muscle tissues? If your stomach expands beyond its normal volume capacity, you will most likely feel discomfort or distention, usually in the upper abdominal region.
Although the symptoms may vary depending on the individual, here are the common symptoms of fullness after eating (1):
- Acid reflux
- Bad breath
- Belching
- Bloating
- Disinterested
- Epigastric soreness or discomfort
- Fatigue
- Flatulence
- Heartburn
- Nausea
- Stomach pain
These symptoms may be typical, but if you are experiencing these for a few days, you need to seek medical attention from your doctor. This may be due to a certain medical condition.
You need to seek immediate medical attention if you experience the following symptoms (2):
- Blood in your stool
- Chest pain
- Difficulty swallowing or breathing
- High fever
- Throwing up blood
Well, stomach pain or discomfort is usually associated with the food you eat. As mentioned, the symptoms felt may vary among different individuals. Let us now understand why you feel this pain or discomfort in your stomach.
Causes and Treatment
Food poisoning
One of the indications that you are a victim of food poisoning is stomach pain. You might also experience diarrhea, lack of energy, high temperature, and vomiting.
These symptoms can be felt a few hours after you eat your meals. But there are cases when these symptoms only exist after a few days or weeks.
The good news is that food poisoning can be treated at home, by getting some rest and drinking lots of fluids. Food poisoning can go away on its own. You will eventually get better after a few days. If you lost lots of fluids, you just need to replace them with, of course, fluids and electrolytes. You need to avoid consuming drinks with alcohol and caffeine, as well as foods that are fatty and spicy (3).
Acid reflux
Acidic foods such as processed cheese, chocolates, tomatoes, onions, garlic, mint, and certain fruits can irritate your stomach. Drinking beverages such as carbonated drinks, tea, coffee, and alcohol can also cause acid reflux. Smoking, eating large meals, and taking certain medications are just some of the risk factors for acid reflux.
One of the most effective ways of treating this disease is to avoid foods and drinks that prompt symptoms. For instance, if this is due to eating large meals, then you need to reduce your food consumption. If this is due to the foods or drinks you eat or drink, then you need to avoid these. If this is due to your medication, then you have to ask your doctor for an alternative or maybe a remedy for acid reflux (4).
Trapped gas
Certain foods and sugary beverages can usually cause wind and bloating in your stomach. Beans, broccoli, cabbage, and onions are just a few, which can lead to gas pain. If you suck sweets, chew gum, or eat while your mouth is open, you will most likely swallow air. And this can make you feel uncomfortable and stretched.
There are many ways on how to get rid of this gas pain. You can let the gas out, pass stool, eat slowly, avoid foods and drinks that trigger this, quit smoking, drink tea, take peppermint supplements, use clove oil, apply heat, and many more (5).
Spicy foods
Spicy foods are stimulants to your digestive system. They can increase body temperature and improve circulation. Some people can eat spicy foods comfortably, while others experience gastrointestinal burning and cramping. The main reason for this is the agricultural chemicals, such as the capsaicin, used to grow chili peppers that are usually the cause for stomach discomfort.
One way to get rid of this discomfort due to spicy foods is to drink peppermint tea. It helps in reducing symptoms of acid reflux, heartburn, vomiting, stomach pain, and tension headaches. This can also be used to treat nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, gas, gastrointestinal cramps, and irritable bowel syndrome. Ginger root is also said to be good in treating various stomach conditions such as nausea, vomiting, motion sickness, and heartburn (6).
Indigestion
Indigestion is pretty common after eating. This can make you feel sick, bloated, and suffer from pain. The acid in your stomach helps break down the foods you eat. But sometimes, this can irritate your stomach lining, which eventually causes indigestion. Caffeine, alcohol, sugary drinks, and rich or fatty foods can worsen your indigestion.
Avoiding foods or drinks that trigger indigestion can help you prevent the same. You also need to avoid eating large meals, instead, divide these meals into five to six meals. Pain relievers such as ibuprofen, aspirin, and naproxen sodium should also be avoided. Being overweight can also put pressure on your abdomen, which can cause indigestion that is why you need to maintain a healthy weight (7).
Caffeine
Caffeine is typically found in coffee and tea. Some people tend to experience pain or discomfort once their stomach becomes irritated. Occasional stomach pain due to caffeinated products is usually due to indigestion. If the pain is experienced every time you ingest beverages with caffeine, it might be a sign of a certain digestive condition.
The most common side effects if you consume excess caffeine are anxiety, dizziness, irritability, feeling jittery, tremors, trouble sleeping, and a fast heart rate. Abdominal and stomach bloating, on the other hand, are not common side effects of caffeine. To avoid stomach pain or discomfort due to caffeine, the best thing to do is to avoid drinking or eating foods containing caffeine (8).
Alcohol
Alcoholic drinks, especially those carbonated, such as sparkling wine or beer, can cause stomach bloating. These can even lead to heartburn. Alcohol may offer health benefits, only when consumed in moderation, but it is more unhealthy in your entire well-being.
Of course, to avoid the feeling of discomfort due to alcohol, you need to eliminate this. It may be hard to overcome an alcohol addiction, but if you are ready to stop this, you will most likely achieve it. Well, overcoming this addiction won’t happen overnight; instead, it is a gradual process, so you need to be patient with yourself (9).
Food Allergy
If you eat a certain food that you are allergic to can irritate your stomach and cause stomach pain or discomfort. The milder form of allergy is food intolerance. Both food intolerances and allergies are due to different kinds of foods. Usually, intolerances include wheat, lactose, and gluten.
In case of stomach distress due to food intolerances or allergies, you can try home remedies such as drinking chamomile tea, mint leaves, ginger root, seltzer, lime, and apple cider vinegar. You can also apply a heating pad or a hot pack in your abdomen to minimize the pain (10). If you think you have an allergy with a certain food, you can note it in your food diary. So the next time you eat foods, you are aware of what you should not eat.
Overeating
Do you know that your stomach can hold only around one to two cups of food? If you consume more than that, then you are already overeating. If you eat a lot, your stomach stretches. And if you tend to overeat every time you eat your meals, your stomach will most likely bend easily. If your stomach is expanded beyond what is normal, then you will probably feel discomfort or pain.
To avoid pain or discomfort, you need to eat more slowly. Hormones take time to signal your brain that you are full. But if you eat slowly, you give your brain time to perceive the feeling of fullness. And that’s what makes you stop from eating. If you think you already overeat, you should get your body moving. It can help in stimulating the food in your gastrointestinal tract. It might help in digestion (11).
Gastritis
This is a medical condition wherein your stomach lining becomes inflamed. It can cause vomiting, indigestion, stomach pain, and sickness. Gastritis may occur gradually or suddenly. It is usually caused by the use of various medications such as anti-inflammatory drugs, excessive alcohol consumption, overstress, and chronic vomiting.
Gastritis can be reduced if you take antacids or other drugs such as H-2 blockers or proton pump inhibitors. You are also suggested not to eat hot and spicy foods. Since gastritis may have different causes such as H. pylori infection and pernicious anemia, various treatments may be available such as taking antibiotics or B12 vitamin shots (12).
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
IBS happens when there is gut inflammation. IBS can make you experience weight loss, rectal bleeding, nausea, vomiting, fever, diarrhea, anemia, and abdominal pain. It is a long-term condition that can be treated with lifestyle changes and medication.
If the signs and symptoms for IBS are mild, you can control these by making changes in your lifestyle and diet and by managing stress. You can avoid foods and drinks that trigger this condition. You can eat foods high in fiber. You should get better sleep, exercise regularly, and drinks lots of fluids (13).
Stomach Ulcer
The soreness of the stomach lining can cause stomach ulcer. Stomach ulcer can cause your middle stomach to experience burning pain. Usually, this condition is caused by an infection. This may also be due to medications such as ibuprofen, aspirin, or naproxen. Stomach ulcer may be treated depending on its cause.
Stomach ulcers may be due to an infection or long-term use of anti-inflammatory drugs such as mentioned above. Most of these ulcers can be treated by medications prescribed by your doctor. In some cases, surgery may be required, especially if the symptoms don't heal and continue to return, you experience tearing through the stomach and bleeding (14).
Stress
Stress and stomach pain are related in various ways. If you are stressed, your muscles become tense. This can create discomfort and pain in your stomach. If you take deep breaths before eating, it can make your muscles to relax. Eating calmly can help to avoid stomach pain.
Conclusion:
There are many reasons why you feel discomfort or pain after you eat. Usually, this is due to the foods you eat, such as when you suffer from food poisoning, acid reflux, indigestion, food allergy, overeating, gastritis, IBS, stomach ulcer, stress, and trapped gas or if you eat spicy foods, acidic foods, caffeine, alcohol. There are also various remedies depending on the cause of your stomach pain or discomfort.
References:
(1) https://www.avogel.ca/en/health/digestive-problems/fullness-after-meals/
(2) https://www.healthline.com/health/heaviness-in-stomach#symptoms
(3) https://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/food-poisoning/understanding-food-poisoning-treatment#1
(4) https://www.webmd.com/heartburn-gerd/guide/what-is-acid-reflux-disease#1
(5) https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321504.php
(6) https://www.livestrong.com/article/521984-remedies-for-upset-stomach-from-spicy-food/
(7) https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/indigestion/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20352215
(8) https://www.livestrong.com/article/471900-does-caffeine-cause-stomach-pain/
(9) https://www.helpguide.org/articles/addictions/overcoming-alcohol-addiction.htm
(10) https://www.verywellhealth.com/soothe-stomachaches-from-food-allergies-4105229
(11) https://healthblog.uofmhealth.org/digestive-health/4-ways-to-stop-digestive-discomfort-after-a-supersized-meal
(12) https://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/digestive-diseases-gastritis#1
(13) https://www.healthline.com/health/stomach-ulcer#treatment
(14) https://www.healthline.com/health/stomach-ulcer#treatment
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