Stomach or abdominal pain occurs in the belly above the pubic bone and below the rib cage. Due to the number of organs in this area, including your kidneys, spleen and pancreas, a variety of factors can be responsible for pain and discomfort in the area. If your pain primarily occurs after eating a specific food, that narrows the causes down to a possible digestive disorder.
Digestive Disorders
A digestive disorder, according to the National Institutes of Health, or NIH, affects the organs in the digestive tract, including the esophagus, stomach, large and small intestine, gallbladder, liver and pancreas. The purpose of the digestive tract is to break down food so that the body can absorb it. If your pain occurs after eating and is accompanied by bleeding, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, heartburn, incontinence, nausea, vomiting, problems swallowing or weight fluctuations, your doctor will likely consider a digestive condition as the cause of your discomfort.
Lactose Intolerance
People who are lactose intolerant lack a key enzyme, called lactase, responsible for digesting foods containing lactose, which is a sugar found in dairy products. According to the NIH, you can begin feeling pain, gassy and swelling in your stomach as soon as 30 minutes after eating foods with lactose. The National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, or NDDIC, explains that foods that contain this sugar include milk -- and milk chocolate -- and baked goods such as cake and cookies, doughnuts, breakfast cereal, candy and milk chocolate.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
According to the International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders, an estimated 10 to 15 percent of Americans suffer from irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS. While there is no known cause for IBS, the symptoms include cramping, abdominal muscle spasms, pain, gas, bloating and more. The NDDIC indicates that chocolate, milk products and ice cream are just some of the foods that can cause or worsen your symptoms.
Other Conditions
Other conditions that can be triggered by chocolate include chronic constipation, gas, ulcerative colitis, pancreatitis and more. The NIH explains that constipation is characterized by having a bowel movement fewer than three times per week. Constipation can be painful, cause straining and bloating. Pancreatitis is a painful condition caused when the pancreas is inflamed and the organ begins digesting itself, according to the NIH. While there's no direct link between eating chocolate and these other conditions, according to MayoClinic.com, certain foods can aggravate your symptoms, especially during an event.
Minimize Symptoms
Most digestive diseases cannot be cured. You can, however, minimize symptoms and even prevent flare-ups altogether, especially if you know that a certain food causes symptoms. MayoClinic.com reports that fiber helps promote bowel health and can prevent constipation, a symptom of a variety of digestive conditions. If you're lactose intolerant, the NDDIC notes that gradually introducing small amounts of lactose-containing foods can help your body adapt. If your symptoms are severe, however, you probably want to avoid lactose entirely.
