Everyone has had the stomach pain that comes after eating. It can be unpleasant and make us not want to eat or eat as much again. Often this feeling is one of discomfort and annoyance, though it can also signify something more severe. Through this post, you will find out the 8 reasons why my stomach hurt after I eat.
Gas Accumulations
This is one of the most likely causes when someone has pain in their stomach after food, and it can often be caused by overeating, certain overeating types of food, or eating too fast. Many foods such as beans, broccoli, and pears can cause gas buildup, so these should be avoided if you want to avoid stomach pain and bloating.
Further, if your stomach is full, you may over-produce stomach acids and feel bloating and flatulence. This feeling can be relieved by having a small amount of food at the end of the meal to slow digestion and prevent another fullness sensation. That also reduces the risk of colorectal cancer. The best time to eat protein is before bedtime, which helps with digestion throughout the night.
Food Poisoning
This is a less often occurring cause and usually only happens to people who have eaten food they have previously had trouble digesting or are allergic to. The symptoms of this include vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain. Eating poorly cooked foods, cold foods, or raw foods can cause this. Be careful when selecting your meals to avoid eating food you already had a problem with.
Acid Reflux
Acid reflux happens when fluid moves up to the esophagus and refuses to go back down. This can be caused by overeating certain food types or eating too fast. This is another rare occurrence in which you may experience severe pain in the middle of the stomach when you swallow. Be careful if you have a history of acid reflux or heartburn, such as sleeping on your stomach at night. Try sleeping on your back to prevent this.
Food Allergy
If you have a history of allergies such as hives, swelling, or eczema after eating certain food types, this is a possible cause of the pain in your stomach. There are two types of food allergies: anaphylactic and non-anaphylactic, although both result in digestive issues. An allergen is a thing that triggers an allergic reaction, so if you have an allergy-like fish, then it will cause problems for you if you eat anything with fish in it, not just fish. Recognizing which foods trigger your allergies can help you avoid eating things that cause stomach pains. Food allergies are also easy to confuse with gluten intolerance. If you think the root of your stomach ache is food allergies, you should keep a diary and check for other symptoms like nausea and headaches when eating certain types of food.
Stomach Ulcer
Stomach ulcers, also known as peptic ulcers, happen when damage occurs to the stomach lining, which is caused by stress, smoking, taking too many pain medications, or drinking too much alcohol. A stomach ulcer can be very painful to experience, and the pain can often be felt in the center of the throat or chest. Ulcers can often be treated with medication. Looking into other causes of stomach pain is a good idea because you may need to look at these issues to prevent further irritation.
Chronic Inflammation
This is the rarest cause of stomach pain, and it is usually a digestive problem that the person has had for an extended period, such as Crohn’s disease or irritable bowel syndrome. If you have issues like these, talk to your doctor because they will help you find solutions that will be easier on your body and more effective in treating the problem.
Hormones
This might be counterintuitive, but too much of certain hormones can also cause indigestion. Among them are the female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone, which have been linked to stomach pain after eating. If you experience severe bloating and heartburn after eating, it could be your ovulation cycle that is making itself known.
Excess Caffeine Intake
Caffeine is something we are all familiar with. However, the problem with caffeine is that many people consume too much of it without even knowing it, which can cause indigestion in some people. The National Coffee Association states that caffeine can have negative health impacts on a person’s nervous system, mood, energy levels, and more. It also increases blood pressure, making your stomach hurt even more as you eat.
What is good about coffee is that it can give you a quick energy boost and wake you up. What is terrible about coffee is that it can leave you feeling sluggish and cause anxiety if consumed too much. If the feeling of indigestion in your stomach persists for more than two weeks, it could signify that you have consumed too much caffeine. So instead of replacing your morning cup of coffee with soda, try increasing the amount of water in your diet and see if this helps with your stomach pain after eating.
Many people will suffer from bloating and gas after eating, but these are more common and often more manageable. If you experience stomach pain after eating, the cause could be any of these. If your problems are severe and you are in pain, make sure to tell your doctor about it since they know why does my stomach hurt after not eating and will advise you on what to do.
Sources
- https://www.gastrohealthpartners.com/stomach-pain-after-eating-here-are-7-things-it-could-be/
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321318
- https://bhattigi.com/common-causes-of-stomach-pain-after-eating/
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