Gastritis is the medical term for inflammation that occurs in the lining of your stomach or intestines. Pain that occurs in your digestive system after you eat may be the result of different conditions. Gastritis that occurs as an isolated event is likely due to food poisoning -- the consumption of food or water that is contaminated with infectious organisms. If you develop gastric pain after you eat certain foods, you may have a food allergy or intolerance or a more serious condition, such as irritable bowel syndrome.
Food Poisoning
Food poisoning is a common cause of gastritis after eating. The pain you feel occurs because bacteria, a virus, a toxin or a parasite has entered your digestive system, causing an infection and inflammation. Pain from food poisoning may start out as minor pain, but will develop into moderate to severe pain within a few hours. Most food poisoning symptoms last for one to 10 days and commonly cause violent vomiting, diarrhea, cramping, pain and bloating. The most effective treatment for this condition is to increase liquid intake, eat bland foods and get rest.
Food Allergy
Food allergies will cause gastritis pain within a few minutes after you eat a food that contains an allergen. You may be allergic to more than one ingredient in certain foods -- for example, eggs, milk and soy in salad dressing. The most common food allergies include wheat, fish, tree nuts, eggs, soy, milk and peanuts. Food allergies are not caused by the digestive system, but will directly affect your gut. A food allergy causes inflammation in your intestines.
Food Intolerance
Food intolerance commonly causes gastric pain along with bloating, gas, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal cramping. You may be intolerant to any food; the most common include histamine intolerance, MSG intolerance, lactose intolerance, gluten intolerance and fructose intolerance, according to the American College of Gastroenterology. Food intolerance is caused by a defect in the small intestine. The small intestine does not create the appropriate enzymes needed to digest certain proteins, sugars and additives in foods.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
If you notice that every time you eat, you develop gastric pain, you may have irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS. According to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, about 20 percent of Americans suffer from IBS, typically marked by inconsistent and erratic constipation, diarrhea, pain, gas and bloating after eating. IBS is primarily treated with diet modification -- identifying foods that trigger your symptoms and avoiding them.
