Pain after eating in the upper abdomen area occurs in many people. Often the symptoms are then triggered by eating too quickly. The stomach wall stretches, which can cause cramp-like pain in the upper abdomen.
However, there are also a number of diseases that can lead to pain in the upper abdomen after eating. Especially if the complaints occur regularly or particularly strongly, this may indicate that a serious illness is underlying. These include, for example, intolerances or allergies to certain foods, a stomach ulcer, pancreatitis or inflammation of the mucous membrane of the stomach (gastritis).
Psychological anxiety and stress can also play a role in post-meal pain in the upper abdomen. A distinction is made between acute and chronic pain conditions. Often, the pain after eating is perceived at a specific location, whereby the location of the upper abdomen pain can indicate the possible cause.
Causes
Upper abdominal pain, which occurs mainly after eating, is mostly caused by the digestive organs stomach, intestine, pancreas or gall bladder. For sensitive people, even excessive stress can cause pain and discomfort in this area. In most cases, pain in the upper abdomen is caused by an incorrect diet, by eating too much or too fast.
For example, a low-fiber diet can lead to chronic constipation. When eating again, constipation leads to severe pain, especially in the upper abdomen, because the intestine cannot work properly. Here, a change in diet and increased fluid intake should be aimed for.
But food intolerances or allergies can also lead to complaints after eating. and Bloated stomach after eating Also an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the stomach or a stomach ulcer lead to pain in the upper abdomen, especially after eating. Especially foods that are very acidic, salty, spicy, alcoholic or caffeine-containing cause pain in the upper abdomen, as these substances attack the stomach wall.
More advanced inflammation of the mucous membrane of the stomach can also lead to a stomach ulcer, which can also cause stabbing pain after eating. Here, a tissue sample (biopsy) must usually be taken to rule out a malignant disease (e.g. stomach cancer). Gallstones lead to severe cramps in the upper abdomen, especially after eating fatty foods.
A food poisoning caused by spoiled food becomes noticeable a short time after eating by violent vomiting, diarrhoea and upper abdominal cramps, as the body reflexively tries to excrete the harmful substances. But other causes can also be behind upper abdominal pain after eating. For example, certain medications, if taken regularly, or diseases of other organs can lead to pain in the upper abdomen.
