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. In this article, we will cover some of the most common reasons and some of the less common reasons for having pain and which must be treated by a gastroenterologist.

Common Causes of Postprandial Pain

Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis, inflammation of the pancreas, can lead to pain signs both chronically and acutely after eating. Pancreatitis pain occurs in the upper abdomen and can radiate backward. Nausea and vomiting are other common symptoms.

Peptic Ulcer

Peptic ulcers occur when the stomach lining or duodenum may cause pain after eating, particularly if it is a stomach ulcer. Peptic ulcer pain is generally felt somewhere between the sternum and abdomen.

Gallstones

After eating; gallstone pain can occur, especially if the food is large and/or high in fat. Typically, gallstone pain occurs at the center or right side of your upper abdomen. There may also be discomfort behind the sternum and radiation to the upper back. Other gallstone signs include nausea and vomiting.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

IBS is a health condition that causes chronic abdominal pain. Bowel movement is associated with such pain rather than eating. The eating effect can, however, lead to excessive intestinal contractions that can lead to abdominal pain. The upper, mid, and lower portions of the abdomen may experience IBS pain, but may also radiate up to the upper portions of the torso.

Food Intolerance

A food allergy or intolerance is when a certain food is not recognized by the digestive system in your body. The immune system does not respond to food intolerance. Having food intolerance means either your digestive system gets irritated by food or cannot digest it properly.

Many people experience lactose intolerance which results in symptoms of stomach upset with milk and other milk products.

Celiac Disease

Celiac disease occurs when your body has an immune gluten reaction — a protein found in wheat, barley and rye. It causes damage to the lining of the small intestine with repeated exposure. This leads to signs of stomach upset and other severe complications.

GERD

Gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) is a chronic gastrointestinal disease in which the stomach acid is returned to your esophagus. This acid reflux irritates and can cause damage to the esophagus lining.

Crohn’s Disease

Crohn's disease is a severe, chronic inflammatory bowel disease. It causes inflammation in various parts of the digestive tract that can lead, together with other symptoms, to severe pain, diarrhea, and bleeding. This is a serious condition with life-threatening consequences.

Constipation

Constipation occurs when stool moves through the digestive tract too slowly and cannot be normally eliminated. Chronic constipation— with 3 or fewer bowel movements for several weeks— can cause pain and bloat of the abdomen. Your symptoms may get worse when you eat when your body tries to digest new food.

Contact Digestive Disease Specialists for a gastroenterologist in OKC. If you believe you have any other problems mentioned above or similar symptoms, it is time to visit a doctor.

**Disclaimer: This blog content does not offer a doctor's advice and creates no relationship between any patient and care provider.