Eating is intended to be an enjoyable experience, but if you develop stomach pain and swelling after eating, you may avoid eating. These symptoms may be related to one than more condition and your doctor needs to evaluate them for a proper diagnosis. The most common food-related conditions that can cause these symptoms include celiac disease, food intolerance or a food allergy. If you develop severe pain or notice blood in your stool, you need to go to the emergency room.
Celiac Disease
Celiac disease is a common digestive condition that causes severe swelling, stomach pain and bloating after eating foods that contain gluten. Gluten is a protein found in wheat and is harmless to a healthy adult. If you have celiac disease, your immune system reacts to the gluten by causing damage to the inner surface of the small intestine and an inability to absorb certain nutrients. The cause of the immune reaction is unknown, but can result in long-term damage that can lead to malnourishment and significant weight loss. Each person may react differently to gluten and diagnosis by a medical doctor is necessary.
Food Intolerance
Food intolerances are easily confused with food allergies because they produce similar digestive symptoms after eating food. The primary difference between the two conditions is the cause. Food intolerance is caused by a defect in the digestive system, while food allergies are caused by an immune system reaction. Food intolerances are more common than food allergies, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Food intolerance occurs when your digestive system cannot properly digest a certain food, ingredient or additive. Stomach pain and swelling in your abdomen are common signs of food intolerance that develop within 30 minutes after eating the food.
Food Allergy
If you're allergic to a certain food, you will develop stomach pain and swelling in various parts of the body after eating the food. The most common foods that cause food allergies are milk, peanuts, nuts, fish, eggs, wheat or soy, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Digestive food allergy symptoms include stomach pain, gas, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. Swelling can develop in your face, your lips, mouth, throat, sinuses, skin and lungs.
Treatment
The most effective treatment for these conditions is a clinical diagnosis and avoidance of the foods or ingredients that are causing your symptoms. For example, if you are diagnosed with celiac disease, your doctor will advise you to eliminate all foods that contain gluten such as bread, pasta and crackers. You will have to read all food labels before consuming foods to ensure that they do not contain gluten.
