Upset Stomach After Eating

Upset stomach after eating is not a very major health problem and is curable. However, when it occurs quite frequently, then it leads to weight loss and weakening of the body. Upset stomach is often accompanied by a continuous abdominal pain which tends to get extended to the chest, shoulder and neck. In some people, the abdominal pain can make the entire abdominal area tender and sensitive. Other symptoms are bloating, flatulence, nausea, vomiting, acidic taste in mouth etc. There could be blood vomiting and blood may come with stool too. To know more read on:

• Stomach Ache After Eating
• Stomach Pain After Eating

Upset Stomach Causes
The most common upset stomach causes are irritable bowel syndrome, stomach ulcers and acid reflux disease. In irritable bowel syndrome, there is a constant irritation in the large intestine of the patient, which causes pain in the abdomen. While eating food, some change of movements occur in the intestine and the pain increases further. There is a lot of similarity between the symptoms of stomach ulcer and acid reflux disease. Stomach ulcer is caused mainly due to a bacteria named Helicobacter pylori. Acid reflux happens when the excess acids of the stomach get pushed up to the esophagus or food pipe through some opening in the muscle of the upper part of the stomach. Usually, the acid gets pushed by some extra weight on the stomach. This could be due to pregnancy or obesity. In some cases, rare kind of diseases like ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease may also lead to stomach upset after eating. Consumption of alcohol, caffeine, smoking and medicines like NSAIDs (Non-steroidal anti inflammatory drugs) are also responsible for stomach upset.

What to do When Stomach is Upset?
Upset stomach has to be treated by eliminating the underlying cause, responsible for upset stomach. Many people buy some over the counter medicines on the advice of pharmacist and start self-medication. However, it is always advisable to consult a doctor prior to the intake of any medicines. The doctors identify the cause by physical examination of the patient. They also check out the medical history and eating habits of the patient. If required, clinical tests like blood test, urine test and stool test, X-ray or ultrasound of the abdomen, barium enema etc., are done.

When the cause of stomach upset is stomach ulcer, antacids are administered to reduce the acid levels in stomach. Antibiotics are also needed to destroy various bacterias like H. pylori. These medicines help to cure the ulcer and prevent the risk of formation of new ulcers. In case, it is due to irritable bowel syndrome, antacids may not be of much help. You should increase your intake of fluids. Fluids are essential to cure upset stomach. It is not necessary that you have to drink water only. Rather, any clear fluid works well in this kind of stomach upset. To know more read on upset stomach remedies.

Upset Stomach: What not to Eat?
When you are suffering from upset stomach after eating, it is always advised to stop or minimize eating solid foods. There are some foods that can increase the chances of stomach upset and hence, you should avoid them or take them in limited quantity. You should opt for foods that are easily digestible like whole grain or lean protein. Some vegetables like cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, brussels sprouts can cause discomfort to the stomach and should not be eaten. Fruits like apple and melon are not good for upset stomach. Both red and black pepper cause irritation in the intestines. So, it is recommended to stay away from them. Spicy foods and fried foods often adversely affect the digestive health and should be skipped to make your stomach feel better. Citrus fruits, foods with high fat content, onions, coffee, chocolate and alcohol should be strictly avoided under upset stomach condition. This is because, all these food substances tend to have a relaxing effect on the muscles present at the top of the stomach, which may aggravate the problem further. Read more on stomach ulcer diet.

Those people who have the habit of eating very fast or indulge in over eating, are more prone to upset stomach after eating anything. Hence, eat your food after proper chewing and do not stuff your stomach with too much of food. No need to worry if you have upset stomach, as stress can worsen the problem. All you have to do is identify what could be the cause and undergo treatment accordingly.