After a meal, it is distressing when your stomach begins to hurt, even when you have not eaten anything heavy. If you continue to observe this pain time and again after your meals, you need to inspect closely to identify the root cause.ALSO READ: Gastroenterologist shares 3 everyday habits that could be silently harming liver: ‘If you are drinking alcohol every…’
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The condition should be diagnosed by a medical professional rather than self-treated. There are many possible causes of pain after a meal, making it tough to identify the exact underlying issue without a proper medical evaluation.
Dr Devika Madhu, associate consultant in the Department of Gastroenterology at KIMSHEALTH, Thiruvananthapuram, identified the possible causes, decoding that pain after eating may be associated with a wide range of gastrointestinal conditions.
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She shared with HT Lifestyle that this pain, however, may shift in location. Explaining why, the expert said, “Abdominal pain has many causes, some more serious than others. What feels like a stomach ache may be coming from another organ in your abdomen. Or it may be coming from outside your digestive system. Always seek medical care if your abdominal pain is unexplained, severe or doesn’t stop.”
Aside from the pain being unexplained and severe, Dr Madhu recommended visiting a specialist if you also observe these signs :
The gastroentrologist informed that after understanding the history, the specialist will ask for investigations like blood parameters, imaging like ultrasound or CT, diagnostic tests, and endoscopy if required.
Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
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Pain after eating may stem from multiple conditions. The possible causes range from regular digestive issues, like constipation or irritable bowel syndrome, to more serious conditions like gallstones, inflammatory issues and cardiac problems. The location of the pain is also an important clue about what could be the cause.
Here are some of the possible causes, their location and other relevant clues spotlighted by the gastroentrologist:
As the possible causes are varied, from something as serious and life-threatening as a cardiac problem to something as common as constipation, you cannot self-diagnose or resort to home remedies. Guesswork may have dire consequences. Instead, consult a specialist if this postprandial pain persists.
“Since abdominal pain has multiple causes, it has to be evaluated by a physician with proper history, examination and investigations to clinch the diagnosis and cure your ailment,” Dr Madhu mentioned how specialists try to understand the ailment.
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This tells us that the location of the pain may not always reveal its actual source, so avoid trying to guess the cause. Many people may turn to home remedies or over-the-counter medicines to ease the unexplained pain or prevent it from becoming severe. However, the most appropriate way forward is to see a specialist, identify the underlying cause and begin necessary treatment under medical guidance.
Dr Madhu then revealed what this is called clinically: “The term postprandial refers to physical changes after eating. Postprandial discomfort and pain after eating may be a sign of a wide range of gastrointestinal conditions.”
