If your tummy hurts after eating, a simple bout of indigestion might be to blame. But there are also times when pain after eating can be a sign of something more serious.
If your tummy hurts after eating, a simple bout of indigestion might be to blame. But there are also times when pain after eating can be a sign of something more serious.
Read on to learn about some of the common causes of stomach ache, abdominal pain or stomach cramps after eating, how to treat and manage the discomfort, and when to see a doctor.
Symptoms vary, but it often causes discomfort after eating, which can feel like a burning pain in your tummy.
Other symptoms can include feeling uncomfortably full
, feeling sick (nausea), having excess gas and a burning pain in your chest (heartburn). You may also bring up a small amount of food, or bitter-tasting fluid.Indigestion can usually be treated at home by:
For fast relief,
may ease your symptoms, as they neutralise the acid in your stomach.Read more about ways to get rid of indigestion
If your indigestion doesn't go away, or keeps coming back, see your doctor. They may prescribe stronger medication and run checks to rule out other conditions, such as
, where stomach acid moves up into your food pipe.You should also see a doctor if you have indigestion and you:
Irritable bowel syndrome (
) is a long-term (chronic) condition that causes episodes of tummy pain or cramps, , diarrhoea and/or constipation. The symptoms are often worse after eating. The pain can be sharp, but may ease after doing a poo.Other IBS symptoms include backache, nausea and feeling tired. Occasionally, you may find that you can’t control when you poo (incontinence) or have problems peeing, like needing to go more often.
The exact causes of IBS are unknown, but the symptoms can often be managed by making changes to your diet and lifestyle. If you think you have IBS, a doctor can check your symptoms and offer advice.
However, you should see a doctor right away if you:
Stomach ulcers are open sores inside the body that form when the layer that protects your stomach lining from acid breaks down, damaging the lining of your stomach.
They can be caused by an infection or taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin or ibuprofen.
The most common symptom of a stomach ulcer is a burning or gnawing pain in the centre of your tummy (abdomen). This can get better or worse after eating, depending on where the ulcer is. You may also get indigestion, heartburn or nausea.
If you think you have a stomach ulcer, you should see a doctor, as they may prescribe treatment.
If you take NSAIDs, they will review this, and may recommend an alternative painkiller – but you shouldn’t stop taking any prescribed medication without talking to your doctor first.
You should get medical help urgently if you:
Gallstones are small stones that form in your gall bladder. It’s estimated that 1 in 10 people may have them, but not everyone gets symptoms.
They’re usually harmless, but they can cause tummy pain if they get stuck in one of the tubes (ducts) that lead to your gall bladder.
The pain can come on suddenly, be severe and usually last for up to 5 hours. The pain may also get worse when you eat a heavy meal.
If you think your pain may be caused by gallstones, you should see a doctor, as you may need to have them removed.
Painkillers can help to ease your symptoms. You should also try to avoid foods that can make symptoms worse, such as foods high in saturated fat.
Some people refer to all
as ‘stomach ache’ or ‘tummy ache’. Abdominal pain is any pain that occurs in the area between your chest and your groin.Your liver, appendix, pancreas and intestines as well as other organs sit in this part of your body. So, conditions affecting any of these organs can cause abdominal pain.
The different conditions that can cause abdominal pain tend to affect specific areas. The 4 locations to consider are:
Read more about these 4 types of abdominal pain and what you can do about them
.
If you’re still concerned about your tummy pain, check your symptoms or see a doctor for more guidance.
Important: Our website provides useful information but is not a substitute for medical advice. You should always seek the advice of your doctor when making decisions about your health.