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Stomach Pain After Eating? Here Are 7 Things It Could Be

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A recent online survey conducted across 26 countries found that 1 in 10 people experience post-meal abdominal pain. Of the 54,000 people who were polled, 13% of women and 9% of men reported frequent gastrointestinal discomfort after eating a meal. Individuals reported bloating, a swollen stomach, feeling full quickly, constipation, and diarrhea. Interestingly, these individuals had twice the rates of anxiety and depression as people who reported no symptoms.

This study illuminates the connection between food and diet, gastrointestinal health, mental health, and chronic gastrointestinal conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome or ulcerative colitis. It suggests the importance of an individualized and multidisciplinary approach to treating digestive disorders. 

If you experience frequent gastrointestinal discomfort after eating food, seek medical help. A gastroenterologist can help diagnose the cause of your symptoms and build an effective treatment plan, based on your unique symptoms. In the meantime, follow along for common causes for stomach pain after eating:

7 Causes For Stomach Pain After Eating

1. Food Allergy or Intolerance. Many people experience food allergies and intolerances that result in persistent gastrointestinal symptoms, such as gas, bloating, cramping, and diarrhea. Common allergens include eggs, tree nuts, peanuts, shellfish, milk, soy, wheat, and more. If symptoms are minor, these conditions can go undiagnosed for years! 

2. IBS. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder that affects the large intestine (colon). IBS can cause bloating, abdominal cramping, diarrhea, constipation, gas, and other negative gastrointestinal symptoms. IBS is chronic and requires managing symptoms, often through dietary changes.

3. Gastritis. Gastritis is a broad term for inflammation/swelling of the stomach lining. It can be caused by infection, overuse of pain medications (NSAIDs), injuries, certain foods, and overuse of alcohol. Gastritis can result in abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and weakness. 

4. Celiac Disease. Celiac Disease is a chronic immune disease that is characterized by an inability to eat gluten. Eating foods with gluten damages the small intestine and immune system of people with Celiac. Symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss, bloating, and mood changes. It is often genetic and can be diagnosed with a blood test. 

5. IBD. Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) refers to conditions such as Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis, which are a result of inflammation of the intestinal tract. Believed to be a result of an abnormal immune response, these conditions can result in symptoms such as cramping, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, persistent diarrhea, fatigue, and blood in stool.

6. GERD.  If you experience pain after eating that is located higher than the stomach and more in your upper abdomen or throat, you may be suffering from acid reflux or Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). Symptoms can also include heartburn, nausea, a burning sensation in the throat, or pain with swallowing.

7. You ate too much or ate something that is difficult to digest. Before diagnosing yourself with a food allergy or chronic disease, consider what you ate. Did you eat a very large portion of food? Did you eat acidic, spicy, or fried foods? Perhaps you ate something high in artificial sugar? These types of foods, especially in larger portions, are difficult to digest and can result in negative symptoms for anyone. 

For more information about diagnosing digestive conditions, reach out to Gastroenterology Health Partners (GHP) today. Our clinicians have a passion for seeking out and refining new treatments and advanced solutions for those suffering from disorders of the digestive system. Each of our physicians offers expert specialization, evaluating and treating the entire spectrum of digestive conditions. To learn more about the treatment options available to you, schedule an appointment at one of our locations throughout Louisville, Lexington, and Southern Indiana.

Celiac Disease: What You Need to Know

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Celiac disease is an immune disorder that gluten triggers. For people with the disease, it causes an immune response that damages the small intestine when eating gluten, which is found in foods like wheat, barley, and rye. Here’s an overview of celiac disease.

Causes and Risk Factors

This disease causes an immune response when you consume gluten. This response attacks the lining of the small intestine and leads to inflammation. This damages cilli, hair-like structures that line the small intestine. Cilli are key in absorbing nutrients from food; as such, celiac disease can cause problems with nutrient absorption and lead to malnourishment.

Celiac disease often runs in families. The causes of the disease are thought to be a combination of genes and consuming gluten. Sometimes celiac can be activated after a viral infection, childbirth, pregnancy, surgery, or severe stress. There are a few notable risk factors for celiac disease. These include a family history of the disease, type 1 diabetes, down’s syndrome, Addison’s disease, and autoimmune thyroid disease.

Symptoms of Celiac Disease

Symptoms for this disease are wide-ranging and vary significantly person to person. As mentioned before, celiac damages your body’s ability to absorb nutrients in food. Many of the symptoms you may experience are related to this lack of nutrition. Digestive issues like bloating, constipation, diarrhea, gas, pale stool, and weight loss are common. A tingling feeling in the legs is possible due to low calcium and nerve damage. People with celiac can also have musculoskeletal issues like bone and joint pain, cramps, and dental enamel defects. Anemia and hepatitis can occur too. Children with the disease can experience growth issues and a failure to thrive.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Doctors can diagnose celiac disease with blood testing. Serology blood testing examines your blood for antibodies that might indicate an immune response to gluten. Additionally, they can use genetic testing for certain antigens to potentially rule out the disease. In some cases, they may test for iron levels, as anemia (low iron) can happen with celiac. In some cases, they may want to biopsy some tissue from your small intestine to search for signs of damage. They can do this with an endoscopy, where they pass an endoscope through your mouth to your small intestine and take a tissue sample.

Treating celiac involves managing symptoms and avoiding trigger foods. You can’t eat foods with gluten, which include wheat, malt, and rye. Removing gluten from your diet will help reduce inflammation over time. You may also need to take some vitamin supplements. Your doctor may recommend you work with a dietician to establish a healthy diet without gluten. You may also need regular follow-up visits so your doctor can check in on your condition over time.

Our experienced team at GHP has years of experience diagnosing and treating Celiac disease. We can help establish the best plan of care for your situation. Contact any of our office locations to learn about the options we offer and schedule an appointment today.