Horrible stomach pain after eating can result from many causes, some of which may indicate serious medical conditions, according to the National Library of Medicine. Something relatively minor like a virus might cause your horrible stomach pain, but if the pain occurs more than once or twice or seems to be getting worse, you should see a physician immediately to determine the cause.
Function
If your horrible stomach pain hits you after eating, it's probably related to your digestive system, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. But pain that seems to come from your stomach may in fact originate somewhere else, either in your abdomen or outside it. Pain from your aorta, a major blood vessel in your abdomen, sometimes can feel like stomach pain. In addition, pain in your appendix, which is in your upper right abdomen, also might feel like stomach pain.
Types
Sudden, acute abdominal pain often indicates a serious condition that warrants immediate intervention, according to the Medical University of South Carolina. This type of horrible stomach pain can result from acute appendicitis or a burst appendix, a perforated ulcer, gallbladder inflammation or a ruptured abdominal aorta. If you have sudden pain in your stomach that makes you double over in agony, seek emergency medical help.
Causes
Horrible stomach pain that's chronic, meaning it appears every time or nearly every time you eat, likely has a less serious cause, according to the Medical University of South Carolina. You might suffer from acid reflux, which can cause pain that feels like it's coming from the stomach. Or, you might have gastritis, indigestion or gas, all of which represent common gastrointestinal complaints.
Prevention/Solution
If your horrible stomach pain after eating appears with flatulence or belching symptoms, gas might be causing your problem, according to Columbia University. If this is the case, you might try taking antacids, or eliminate common gas-promoting foods such as cruciferous vegetables and legumes. Herbal remedies such as ginger or peppermint extract seem to help some people with these symptoms.
Considerations
It's possible that your horrible stomach pain after eating results from a serious chronic digestive condition such as celiac disease, colitis or Crohn's disease, according to the National Library of Medicine. Medical testing can tell you for certain if one of these conditions causes your symptoms. If you have chronic pain and your physician rules out other conditions, you might receive a diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome, which you may be able to manage with changes in your lifestyle. Regardless of the eventual diagnosis, you should see your doctor to determine the cause.
