Stomach pain after eating
We discussed the main causes and methods of treating stomach pain after eating with experts Kirill Kulikov and Mikhail Kutushov. Doctors told what causes it and what preventive measures should be observed at home

Pain in the stomach after eating at least once in a lifetime bothered every adult. Pain in the stomach, or gastralgia, is acute, aching, constant or paroxysmal, often accompanied by a feeling of heaviness, belching and heartburn. Painful sensations can signal problems with the gastrointestinal tract and other organs, and may be the result of stress or banal overeating.

Together with our experts, we found out what causes stomach pain after eating, what methods of diagnosis and treatment can be used for such symptoms, and what preventive measures can help prevent gastralgia.

Causes of stomach pain after eating

Pain in the stomach is usually referred to as discomfort in the epigastric region, the “triangle” between the lower ribs and the solar plexus. Sometimes the pain is localized not only in this zone, but also captures the region of the left and right hypochondrium.

Pain in the stomach after eating may be associated with functional disorders and organic disorders. Functional pain occurs with overeating, stress, and the use of foods that irritate the gastrointestinal tract. Functional disorders can go away on their own if the provoking factor is eliminated. Pain in organic disorders requires diagnosis and timely therapy in order to prevent the development of complications and the progression of the disease.

Most often, pain in the stomach after eating is observed in diseases and conditions such as:

  • gastritis;
  • gastroesophageal reflux;
  • stomach ulcer and 12 duodenal ulcer;
  • pancreatitis;
  • cholelithiasis;
  • celiac disease or gluten intolerance
  • lactose intolerance.

Depending on the cause, form and stage of the disease, pain in the stomach after eating occurs immediately or after some time, there are different intensities, they bother a person regularly or periodically.

Gastritis

Inflammation of the gastric mucosa is caused by dietary errors, the bacterium Helicobacter Pylori, autoimmune diseases and viral infections.1. In the early stages, the disease is often asymptomatic. Painful sensations occur when, due to the inflammatory process, the sensitivity and motility of the stomach are disturbed.1. Pain in gastritis usually appears a few minutes after eating, localized in the epigastric region1,2. In addition to the pain syndrome, patients with gastritis are concerned about the feeling of pressure and heaviness in the stomach after taking any amount of food.1.

Gastroesophageal reflux

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) occurs when the esophageal sphincter, the muscular ring between the esophagus and stomach, stops working properly.2. In this case, the acidic contents of the stomach partially return to the esophagus. This condition is accompanied by a burning sensation “in the pit of the stomach”, pain behind the sternum and in the epigastric region, a feeling of heaviness in the stomach, acid and bitterness in the mouth.2.

Peptic ulcer disease

Chronic inflammation of the gastric and duodenal mucosa with the formation of ulcers is a dangerous relapsing disease3. In case of peptic ulcer, pain in the stomach is observed at different times: at night, immediately after eating, or after 2-3 hours3. The so-called “hunger pains” occur on an empty stomach and disappear after eating.3. The pain is often intense and can radiate to the left side of the chest and shoulder blade. Often, pain is accompanied by belching and nausea.3.

Gluten intolerance, or celiac disease

With this autoimmune disorder, the human body does not absorb gluten, a vegetable protein found in grains of wheat, rye and barley. When gluten is ingested, stomach pain and indigestion are observed. People with celiac disease often complain of fatigue, anemia, and weight loss.

Cholelithiasis

The formation of stones in the gallbladder can cause attacks of biliary colic. During attacks, pain occurs in the epigastric region and right hypochondrium, sometimes with irradiation under the right shoulder blade and between the shoulder blades4. Seizures often begin at night and last from a few minutes to several hours4. Long – more than 6 hours – attacks indicate the development of complications: acute cholecystitis or pancreatitis4.

pancreatitis

Severe, persistent pain in the upper abdomen can be a sign of pancreatitis, an inflammation of the pancreas. With pancreatitis, the pain often becomes girdle, that is, it also captures the back area4. Pain is usually accompanied by bloating, nausea, and vomiting.4.

Lactose intolerance

People with lactose intolerance experience discomfort when eating any products that contain milk derivatives. It can be cheese, cottage cheese, ice cream, sour cream, chocolate, sweets, instant cereals and much more. The most common symptoms of lactose intolerance are flatulence, cramps, diarrhea, and stomach pain.

Treatment of stomach pain after eating

Conservative treatment of pain in the stomach after eating is usually done by therapists or narrow specialists – gastroenterologists who specialize in the treatment of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Surgery is performed by surgeons. Sometimes stomach pains are not associated with gastrointestinal pathologies and are a sign of cardiac diseases and endocrine disorders. In this case, therapy is prescribed by an endocrinologist or cardiologist.

Diagnostics

Any treatment begins with a diagnosis. The doctor listens to complaints, examines the patient, performs palpation of the abdominal cavity and draws up an examination plan. Sometimes a preliminary diagnosis can be made after examining the symptoms. For example, with ulcerative lesions of the cardiac and subcardial parts of the stomach, patients complain of pain immediately after eating, and with ulcers of the body of the stomach – 30–60 minutes after eating.3.

Most often, patients are prescribed the following types of studies:

  • general and biochemical blood test;
  • Analysis of urine;
  • fecal analysis;
  • Ultrasound of the abdominal cavity;
  • FGDS or fibrogastroduodenoscopy is an endoscopic examination of the mucous membrane of the stomach, esophagus and duodenum.

Your doctor may also order an abdominal x-ray, CT scan, and MRI. If a malignant neoplasm is suspected, a biopsy is performed – an analysis of a small area of ​​uXNUMXbuXNUMXbpathological tissue.

Modern treatments

The tactics of treating stomach pain after eating depends on the cause that caused the pain syndrome. The therapeutic regimen depends on the nature and stage of the disease. The most commonly used conservative methods with the use of drugs, among which may be:

  • antibacterial agents;
  • antacids;
  • proton pump inhibitors;
  • enzyme preparations;
  • antidiarrheals.

Diet is considered an effective remedy for treating stomach pain after eating. The dietary diet is selected taking into account the form and stage of the disease, but fractional meals in small portions and gentle cooking of products are almost always recommended: boiling, baking, stewing.

Prevention of stomach pain after eating at home

A normal daily routine, proper nutrition and the rejection of bad habits are the most effective measures to prevent stomach pain after eating. Doctors advise giving up fatty, fried and spicy foods or eating them in small quantities. Nutrition should be balanced in terms of the content of proteins, fats and carbohydrates and always regular, without long intervals between meals. In the presence of chronic diseases, it is recommended to follow a diet.

Popular questions and answers

Pain in the stomach after eating is a sign of many diseases. However, many people ignore unpleasant symptoms or limit themselves to taking medications without consulting a doctor. We asked experts how bad stomach pain can be, when to see a doctor, and what home remedies can help alleviate the condition.

When can stomach pain after eating be dangerous?

Dangerous is the pain in the stomach, which occurs against the background of acute cholecystitis, acute pancreatitis, ulcerative bleeding or perforation of the ulcer. These conditions require emergency medical care, including surgery.

When to see a doctor for stomach pain after eating?

Always, if the attacks are repeated more or less regularly. Urgent help is required if the pain does not go away within a few hours or intensifies, is accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and fever.

How can I relieve stomach pain after eating?

If the pain is caused by increased acidity of the gastric juice, an antacid drug or a regular soda solution can help – 1 teaspoon of soda in a glass of water. To relieve pain, you can use antispasmodics and proton pump inhibitors. If after 2-3 hours the condition has not improved, you need to urgently seek medical help. Pain medications (analgesics) should not be used as they distort symptoms and interfere with an accurate diagnosis.

Is it possible to get rid of stomach pain after eating folk remedies?

Sometimes you can. For this purpose, decoctions and infusions of medicinal plants are suitable, which have an antispasmodic and sedative effect. You can prepare and drink an infusion of chamomile, mint or ginger.
  1. Chronic gastritis: clinical options and treatment. S. S. Vyalov. FGAOU HE Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia. https://www.consilium.orscience.ru/upload/iblock/9c0/

    9c09f83310f095a96843efacae2d3fa7.pdf

  2. National guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of acid-dependent and HELICOBACTER PYLORI-associated diseases. Russian Scientific Society of Therapists. Scientific Society of Gastroenterologists of Russia.
  3. Clinical guidelines. Ulcer disease. Russian Gastroenterological Association. Russian endoscopic society.
  4. Recommendations of the Russian Gastroenterological Association for the diagnosis and treatment of gallstone disease.

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