Upset Stomach After Eating

Upset stomach after eating is not a major health problem and is curable. However, if it occurs quite frequently, then it leads to weight loss and the body becomes weak. Most of the time, an upset stomach is accompanied by a continuous abdominal pain which may get extended to the chest, shoulder and neck. This pain makes the entire abdominal area tender and sensitive. Other symptoms found in this condition are bloating, flatulence, nausea, vomiting, acidic taste in mouth, etc. There could be blood vomiting and blood may come with stool too.

Upset Stomach Causes
Some of the common causes of recurring episodes of stomach upset 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. As a result, during digestion, the food contents cannot pass through the intestinal tract normally. This leads to abdominal pain and upset stomach after eating.

There is a lot of similarity between the symptoms of stomach ulcer and acid reflux disease as in both the conditions, stomach acids cause damage to the inner lining of the digestive tract which adversely affect the digestive mechanism of the body. Stomach ulcers are formed mainly due to a specific type of bacteria named Helicobacter pylori. Whereas, those with acid reflux disease suffer from upset stomach as inflammation occur in the esophagus lining after an excess amount of stomach acids is pushed into the food pipe through the opening in the upper part of the stomach. Other rare causes of upset stomach are ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Consumption of alcohol, caffeine, smoking and medicines like NSAIDs (Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) also contribute towards this problem.

What to do When Stomach is Upset?
Many people buy some over the counter medicines on the advice of pharmacist and start self-medication for the treatment of upset stomach. However, it is always advisable to consult a doctor before taking any of these medicines. The treatment is aimed at eliminating the underlying cause. Doctors first conduct thorough physical examination of the patient. They also check out their medical history and eating habits. If required, various clinical tests like blood test, urine test and stool test, X-rays or ultrasound of the abdomen, barium enema etc. are done.

When the cause of stomach upset is ulcer, antacids are administered to reduce the acid levels in stomach. Antibiotics are also given to destroy the bacteria H. pylori. These medicines help to cure the existing ulcers and also prevent the risk of formation of new ulcers. Symptoms of acid reflux disease can be relieved with antacids and other medicines that reduce or block the production of stomach acids. In case, it is due to irritable bowel syndrome, antacids may not be of much help. Anti-diarrheal medications are of great help as it can control diarrhea.

When you have an upset stomach after eating, it is advised to stop or minimize eating of solid foods as long as the condition does not improve. During this time, eat such foods that are easily digestible like whole grain and lean proteins. You should increase your fluid intake as it is essential to cure an upset stomach and prevent dehydration. It is not necessary that you have to drink plain water only. Rather, any clear fluid works well in this condition. To know about a few more home treatments, read on upset stomach remedies.

Upset Stomach: What not to Eat?
There are some foods which tend to aggravate the problem further and hence, you should not eat them at all. Spicy foods and fried foods have an adverse effect on the overall digestive health and should be avoided to make your stomach feel better. Both red and black pepper irritate the intestines. So, it is recommended to stay away from them. Vegetables like cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts should not be included in the diet for the time being. Fruits like apple and melon are not good when the stomach is upset. Citrus fruits, foods with high fat content, onions, coffee, chocolate and alcohol are not good for patients suffering from acid reflux disease. This is because, all these food substances trigger backflow of stomach acids and abnormal stomach contractions.

Those people who have the habit of eating very fast or indulge in overeating, are more prone to upset stomach after eating anything. So, while eating, chew your food properly and do not stuff your stomach with too much of food. If you have an upset stomach, do not worry too much about it as the stress can make the problem worse.