Stomach cramps after eating: What does it mean?

Experiencing stomach cramps after eating is a common problem people of all ages may experience. In most cases, these cramps are more uncomfortable than painful, as the cramps are mild.

Usually, the cause for these cramps are instances of indigestion or simply eating more than necessary, but sometimes, there may be another underlying cause. If the cramps are significantly painful, a visit to a gastrointestinal specialist might be necessary.

Here are some possible causes of stomach cramps after eating.

Food intolerances and allergies

Despite how they sound, food allergies and intolerances are not the same.

Food allergies happen when the immune system mistakenly identifies certain foods as harmful substances and releases antibodies to eliminate them. A few foods that are known to cause allergies in some people include:

• Eggs
• Milk
• Nuts
• Shellfish

Stomach cramps are a common symptom for people with food allergies, but they may experience other symptoms, like vomiting, hives and swelling in the face and tongue.

Intolerances, on the other hand, happen when a particular food does not agree with the digestive system. There won’t be any immune response in this case, but the food the person is sensitive to will either be hard for them to digest or it irritates their digestive system.

Some common food intolerances are lactose intolerance and sensitivity to fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols, or FODMAPs for short.

The simplest way to treat food intolerance and allergies is to avoid the foods that trigger them.

Peptic ulcers

These are sores that form on the linings of the stomach and the small intestine. Ulcers are known to cause pain in the stomach after a meal. Spicy food, in particular, can aggravate peptic ulcers. The pain felt from a peptic ulcer is usually described as burning pain.

The most common cause of peptic ulcers is a bacterium called H. pylori, which is a bacteria that is commonly found in the stomach. Aside from this bacteria, peptic ulcers may also be caused by some non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, like aspirin.

These ulcers may heal by themselves, however, they should not be ignored. With proper treatment, peptic ulcers can heal in a few weeks.

Coeliac disease

Individuals with this condition are very sensitive to gluten, a protein commonly found in wheat. This disease causes people to experience immune reactions in their small intestines and over time, it may lead to the linings of the small intestine getting damaged.

Apart from cramps, patients may experience other symptoms, like diarrhoea, bloating, and anaemia. At the moment, there is no cure for coeliac disease, but it may be managed by following a gluten-free diet.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

IBS is a common disorder that one in five Australians have. This condition may cause stomach cramps after eating, in addition to some other conditions, such as excessive gas, diarrhoea, and constipation.

IBS commonly affects the large intestine and its cause is relatively unknown. While IBS is not a life-threatening condition, it can be very uncomfortable for some and it can impact their everyday life.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

IBD is an umbrella term for two gastrointestinal conditions; Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

Ulcerative colitis causes inflammation and sores in the linings of the rectum and the large intestine, while Crohn’s disease may cause inflammation in any part of the large or small intestines.

Compared to IBS, IBD is a more serious condition and may be life-threatening if not treated properly. Similar to IBS, however, the cause of IBD is uncertain, though some studies suggest that it may be caused by a problem with the immune system.

Stomach cramps after eating shouldn’t be taken lightly

Stomach cramps are a common problem that many people experience, and they may be due to a mild reason, like overeating or excessive gas. If you experience frequent cramps that are significantly painful after a meal, you should consider visiting a gastrointestinal specialist as soon as you can.