Why Does My Belly Hurt After Meals? Exploring Common Causes

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Postprandial pain or stomach ache after a dinner or meal may be caused by various reasons from mere overeating or undue pressure on the abdominal walls to certain pathological conditions of the digestive tract. However, it is essential to know which type of discomfort you have and how it differs in terms of the intensity and length of pain in order to receive the necessary medical help (1^✔ ✔Trusted Source
4 ways to stop digestive discomfort after a supersized meal

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Common Causes of Stomach Pain After Eating

1. Indigestion (Dyspepsia)

Stomach ache after eating is particularly prominent and can be as a result of indigestion that causes a burning pain in the upper stomach. This condition can be caused by overeating, eating with aggression or speed, or eating greasy, spicy, or acidic food. Stress and smoking are also considered to have an influence on worsening indigestion (2^✔ ✔Trusted Source
Quick Dose: Is Eating Too Fast Unhealthy?

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2. Eating Too Much or Too Quickly

According to cultural beliefs the stomach has the capacity to contain only about 1-2 cups of food. However, if you take a quantity more than that, the stomach expands and this causes problems like swelling, discomfort and even pains. Drinking as well as eating too quickly may result in swallowing much air which in turn causes development of gas together with bloating.

3. Food Intolerances & Allergies

Food sensitivities are a condition where the body is unable to break down some foods or specific components in foods including Lactose and gluten. On the other hand, food allergies trigger an immune reaction and may lead to anaphylaxis at its worst. Both conditions can lead to pain in the belly and development of gases, frequent loose motions.

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4. Food Poisoning

Foodborne illnesses can result from taking food, and episodes are characterized by stomach aches, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Illness may occur within several hours or days of having the spoilt food or food that has been contaminated by another substance (3^✔ ✔Trusted Source
Symptoms of Food Poisoning

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5. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

GERD is a condition in which stomach acid moves backward into the esophagus and causes burning pain in the chest and stomach thereafter. It also results in nausea and a sensation of food being trapped in the chest (4^✔ ✔Trusted Source
Gastroesophageal reflux disease

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6. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

IBS is a functional gastrointestinal disorder that results in abdominal pain and changes bowel habits. Appendicitis pain is localized in the upper right, middle, or lower abdomen and may be associated with symptoms such as bloating, cramps, or a change in bowel movement.

7. Gallstones

Cholelithiasis consists of stones which can be developed in the organ of the gallbladder. They can lead to bile stasis, which leads to severe abdominal pain once it occurs, the pain is normally felt after meals, especially if they are very fatty.

8. Pancreatitis

A condition that irritates the pancreas is called pancreatitis and this may cause severe pain in the abdomen right after consuming food. This pain most commonly localizes to the back and is associated with nausea and vomiting.

9. Peptic Ulcers

Peptic ulcers also known as gastric ulcers are mucosal breaks which occur on the luminal surface of the stomach or the first part of the small intestine. They are often felt after a meal, especially if they have an empty stomach, and can be worsened by spices, alcohol and some medications (6^✔ ✔Trusted Source
Peptic Ulcers (Stomach or Duodenal Ulcers)

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10. Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

Two types of inflammatory bowel diseases: Crohns disease and ulcers, are chronic diseases that result in swelling of the gut-GI tract, and this leads to pain, cramping and diarrhoea, and these complications tend to worsen when one has taken a meal (5^✔ ✔Trusted Source
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

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11. Celiac Disease

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease that directs the body to attack the lining of the small bowel whenever the patient takes in foods containing gluten. This results in formation of gas, pain and diarrhea when one consumes foods rich in gluten.

12. Infections

Many viral or bacterial infections that are known to affect the gastrointestinal system can result in stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea soon after consuming food. Examples of the infections are: E.coli, Salmonella, and Norovirus infection.

When Should You See a Doctor?

Minor pain occurring once in a while and after a meal could easily be ignored, however a persistent pain or severe pain should warrant medical attention. You should go to the hospital as soon as possible if the listed signs are present together with fever, chills, vomiting, yellowing of skin or hard time swallowing.