Intestinal Pain after Eating

Intestinal pain causes a painful sensation in the region of abdominal cavity. This kind of pain is mainly associated with some problems associated with the digestive system. The type and severity of intestinal pain after eating may vary according to the underlying causes. Sometimes, the pain is strong and lasts for a short period of time and in others it is a dull constant pain lasting for several hours. In some cases, it can give a sharp piercing sensation or the patient may get muscle cramps in the abdomen. Some people feel the pain so strongly that they start throwing up.

Intestinal Pain After Eating: Causes and Symptoms

People suffer from intestinal pain after eating for many different disorders related to digestive health. It can be caused by some ulcers in the digestive system. Some people get intestinal pain after eating fatty foods or spicy foods because of some infection in the digestive organs. Following are the main causes of intestinal pain:

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): This disorder occurs in the lower portion of the intestinal tract. If there is any trouble related to muscle movement in the intestine or some bacterial infection or intestinal parasite, it can lead to irritable bowel syndrome. Due to this, the muscles on the intestinal wall get contracted. In other words, intestinal muscle spasm occurs. Sometimes, the sensitive nerves of the intestines become tensed and lead to sharp pain. Along with, the intestinal pain, alternating bouts of constipation and diarrhea are also found in such patients. Adolescent people and young adults are mostly affected by it.

Intestinal or Bowel Obstruction: When some obstruction exists in the bowel, then the digested contents of intestine cannot be ejected out. It happens due to improper functioning of the bowel or food poisoning or when some viral or bacterial infection occurs. This gives rise to intestinal pain which gives sensation of cramps in the abdomen. The pain goes up and down from time to time. The intensity of this type of intestinal pain becomes severe after eating. Many patients throw up as well, because of the sharp pain and usually get temporary relief from the pain.

Diverticulitis: This is a health condition which results from inflammation of the intestinal wall, particularly in the large intestine. Any extra amount of pressure on the intestine during digestion, leads to further swelling and results in the increase in intestinal pain. Left side of the lower abdomen often experiences a sharp pain in this case. Fever, diarrhea, constipation are some of the other accompanying symptoms of this intestinal pain. For more information on diverticulitis refer to: diverticulitis.

Lactose Intolerance: This intestinal pain mainly happens after the intake of dairy based products like milk, ice cream etc. This will occur in those cases where the digestive system is incapable of digesting lactose sugar. Discomfort in the abdomen along with the intestinal pain and bloating are the main symptoms of lactose intolerance. Cramps and gas pains are also observed in the intestinal pain because of lactose intolerance. Learn more on: lactose intolerance symptoms.

Other Causes: If there is some inflammation in the appendix, then the secretion that results from the infection may spread into the large intestine. In that case, it can lead to intestinal pain on right side of the abdomen. Intestinal pain after eating can also occur when undigested food from the stomach gets dumped into the intestine.

Intestinal Pain After Eating: Diagnosis and Treatment

Finding out the exact cause of intestinal pain after eating is a challenging task. This is because the characteristics of the different types of intestinal pain are very similar to each other. Even the symptoms of the pain cannot be distinguished easily from one another. Initially, the doctor tries to figure out the cause of the pain by physical examination of the abdomen and studying the nature of the pain. Then different laboratory tests, radiological tests, endoscopic tests are done to confirm the cause of the pain. Apart from prescribing the usual medications required for the pain relief, doctors treat the underlying infection or any other disease, responsible for the pain. There are some restrictions regarding the kind of food eaten by the patient. Foods high in fiber should be included in the meals. Drinking of plenty of water and other liquids are also advised. Fatty foods, spicy foods, citrus fruits, caffeine, alcohol, carbonated beverages, etc., should be strictly avoided.

Many people make a big mistake by trying to treat the problem of intestinal pain after eating, with self medication, by purchasing some over the counter medicine. You should strictly avoid all such things. If the pain persists even after your doctor has started treatment, then it is advisable to take a second opinion from another doctor.