Stomach Pain After Eating – What Are Reasons and How to Prevent It?

Pain in the abdomen happens to almost everyone. Though painful and uncomfortable, most of the time a dose of Pepto and time will set it right. But for some, after dinner frequently finds them in agony. What causes this discomfort? Stomach pain happens for a variety of reasons and sometimes the causes can only be determined by a visit to the doctor, but here are a few causes that might be responsible for your after meal tummy ache.

Heartburn

Heartburn is one of the most common reasons for after dinner stomach pain. Usually accompanied by a burning sensation in the esophagus, headache and pain in the upper stomach, heartburn is caused by a malfunctioning valve between the stomach and the esophagus, allowing stomach acid to rise. Frequent and untreated heartburn can lead to complications in the digestive system and could be a symptom of a more serious ailment, gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, which can cause serious damage to the esophagus is untreated. Overeating, eating too quickly, spicy or fatty foods, emotional stress and excess body weight are all triggers of heartburn and indigestion.

Ulcers

An ulcer is a crater like sore that usually forms in the stomach lining or at the beginning of the small intestine, known as the duodenum. Pain occurring high on the stomach a few hours after eating is a typical symptoms for those suffering ulcers. Other common symptoms are nausea, vomiting and loss of weight. If you think you have an ulcer you should seek medical attention immediately. The primary culprit for ulcers is stress, so many physicians suggest, along with medication, dealing with the patient's underlying anxiety as part of treatment. People suffering ulcers should also avoid alcohol consumption, as excessive alcohol will only cause more irritation.

Lactose Intolerance

Lactose intolerance is defined as the inability to absorb lactose, a sugar found in milk and other dairy products such as cheese and cream. Normally, when lactose enters the body, enzymes called lactace break the lactose down into two sugars, glucose and galactose, that can then be absorbed by the intestinal lining, lactose intolerance occurs when there is reduced or absent lactace. Medical researchers have determined three sources of lactose intolerance: congenital or hereditary, secondary and developmental. In the case of congenital lactose intolerance, a mutation of the gene responsible for producing lactace renders the body unable to process lactose. This type is the most rare out of the three causes. Secondary lactose intolerance is generally due to diseases, such as Celiac Sprue, that destroy the lining of the small intestine, along with the production of lactace. Developmental lactose intolerance is the most common cause, defined by a decrease in lactase starting post childhood, continuing into adulthood. Developmental lactose intolerance is more prevalent in some ethnic groups, like some east Asian and African populations, where there is not a prominent relationship between dairy animals and people.

Food Allergies

If you experience severe stomach cramping after eating, along with nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, you may have a food allergies. About 12 million Americans suffer from food allergies, many from foods such as peanuts, shellfish, wheat and eggs. Many allergic reaction are extreme, resulting in hives and difficulty breathing and need immediate medical attention. Many doctors advise those with severe allergies to read all of the ingredients before eating any food products and always carry a syringe of adrenaline (often epinephrine or an Epi-Pen) in case they make an error. There are also medications available to reduce gastro-intestinal symptoms and hives, like antihistamines.

Most people have experienced stomach pain after a meal at some time or another, and usually the symptoms pass within a few hours. But if the you consistently experience discomfort after mealtime, you should seek the advice of a medical professional. However, there are a few strategies to help reduce indigestion and stomach pain, such as avoiding eating too much, eating too fast, high-fat foods and eating during stressful situations.