If you’ve ever eaten too much, you’ve probably experienced indigestion, fullness, and nausea. But if you’re getting pain when eating normal amounts of food, it could be a sign of a problem.

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Most causes of stomach pain and indigestion aren’t serious and don’t require medical attention. You can usually treat a mildly upset stomach with home remedies and over-the-counter (OTC) medications.

However, if your pain is moderate or severe, it’s a good idea to speak with your doctor. Your symptoms could be a sign of an allergy, intolerance, or underlying condition.

There are many reasons why your stomach might hurt after eating. Read on to learn more.

Certain foods might cause digestive issues. After speaking with a doctor and getting tested, you may find that you’re allergic to, or have an intolerance to, something that you regularly eat.

Allergies

Food allergies occur when your body mistakes a certain food for a harmful foreign invader and your immune system releases antibodies to fight it. This immune response can cause an array of symptoms, including stomach pain.

Common food allergies include:

Intolerance

A food sensitivity or intolerance is when your body’s digestive system doesn’t agree with certain food. Unlike with an allergy, there’s no immune system response involved in food intolerance. Instead, your digestive system either gets irritated by a particular food or can’t digest it properly.

Common foods that cause intolerance include:

  • Lactose: This is a type of enzyme found in dairy products.
  • Gluten: Some people are sensitive togluten, a protein in grains such as wheat and barley.
  • FODMAPs: These are different types of fermentable carbohydrates, which may cause digestive distress. Eating a low FODMAP diet can help reduce symptoms. However, it’s important to note that this type of diet should be done under the supervision of a medical professional.

Sugar alcohols

Sugar alcohols, which contain neither sugar nor alcohol, are artificial sweeteners used in many sugar-free gums and candies. Sugar alcohols, like sorbitol, are food additives regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The FDA warns that excessive consumption of sorbitol can have a laxative effect. If you eat a lot of food containing these additives, you may experience bloating or diarrhea.

Certain medical conditions can cause digestive issues after you eat.

Constipation

Constipation happens when stool moves too slowly through the digestive tract and it can be become hard and difficult to pass. Chronic constipation — several weeks with three or fewer bowel movements — can cause stomach pain and bloating.

Your symptoms may get worse after you eat. To relieve constipation, try to eat more foods that contain fiber and drink a lot of water.

Indigestion

Indigestion, which is also called dyspepsia or upset stomach, loosely describes a negative reaction in the digestive system to a particular food.

Indigestion can happen for many reasons. It is not a disease by itself, but it can be a symptom of an underlying condition. If you experience frequent indigestion after eating, speak with a doctor to find the cause.

The triggers of indigestion can also be nutritional and include:

  • consuming too much alcohol or caffeine
  • eating too much or too fast in one meal
  • eating spicy, greasy, or acidic foods

Celiac disease

Celiac disease is when your body has an immune response to gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. This is different from an intolerance to gluten because the immune system is involved in the reaction.

Over time, exposure to gluten can damage the lining of the small intestine. This causes an upset stomach and can eventually lead to more serious complications.

GERD

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a chronic (long-lasting) digestive condition where stomach acid backs up into your esophagus. This acid reflux irritates and damages the lining of your esophagus.

The main symptoms you’ll notice are heartburn and feeling like your food is coming back up after being swallowed. However, it can also cause chest pain.

Irritable bowel syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common chronic condition affecting the large intestine. It can cause:

  • abdominal pain
  • cramping
  • bloating
  • diarrhea
  • constipation
  • gas

It generally requires long-term management. There are three types of the condition that primarily cause constipation, diarrhea, or a mix of both.

Crohn’s disease

It causes inflammation in different parts of the digestive tract, leading to severe pain, diarrhea, and bloody stools. If you have symptoms of Crohn’s disease, it’s a good idea to speak with your doctor.

Ulcerative colitis

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is another form of IBD. It’s a condition in which the immune system reacts abnormally, causing inflammation and ulcers on the inner lining of your large intestine.

While research hasn’t identified any specific foods that cause UC, there may be some that can make symptoms worse. Making changes to your diet and taking medication can help you manage UC.

Peptic ulcers

Peptic ulcers are sores that develop on the inner lining of your stomach and upper part of your small intestine (duodenum).

The most common symptom of an ulcer is burning stomach pain. This can be aggravated by spicy foods and alcohol, so you may want to avoid them as much as you can.

Biliary colic

Biliary colic is an obstruction in the stomach typically caused by stones in the bile duct. The condition often develops after eating and can cause pain in the upper right quadrant of the abdomen. This pain may be continuous or intermittent.

A doctor will typically diagnose the condition with blood or imaging tests. The treatment is usually a cholecystectomy, which is the removal of the gallbladder.

Acute pancreatitis

Acute pancreatitis is the inflammation of the pancreas. It can cause abdominal pain that radiates into your back.

While there are a range of causes, common ones include gallstones, high triglycerides, and alcohol consumption. A doctor will diagnose the condition with blood tests or a CT scan.

The treatment depends on the cause, but it can often involve IV fluids and pain-relieving medications.

There are many different types of stomach pain and upset. You’ve probably experienced many of them before. Some common symptoms include:

If you or someone you know is having severe stabbing pain, it could be a medical emergency. Seek immediate medical care.

Dehydration is also a medical emergency. If you’re unable to consume liquids without vomiting or are having severe and persistent diarrhea, you may need to go to the emergency room for IV fluids.

If you’re experiencing stomach pain after eating, you may already have tried a few at-home treatments. If you haven’t found anything that works, it could be because you haven’t pinpointed the right underlying cause.

Ultimately, treatment for stomach pain will depend on what’s causing it. If you think you may have a food allergy, consider scheduling an appointment with an allergist for an evaluation and diagnosis. If you have a food intolerance, try to avoid that food as much as possible.

Many of the uncomfortable symptoms of post-meal stomach pain can be managed with OTC medications like antacids, Pepcid, Imodium, and Pepto-Bismol.

There are several things you may be able to do to prevent stomach pain after eating. You can try to:

  • manage portions
  • avoid foods that have caused symptoms in the past
  • eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, which are high in fiber
  • drink lots of water, both with meals and between them

There are a lot of things that could be causing your stomach to hurt after eating.

You may have common indigestion or heartburn, and you could benefit from OTC medications. But if your symptoms have persisted for several weeks, you may have a chronic condition.

If you think an underlying medical condition may be causing your symptoms, it’s a good idea to speak with a doctor.