Pain that is felt in the upper part of the stomach after eating is typically related to gas and indigestion that may result from various digestive conditions. An occasional occurrence of stomach pain in the upper part of the stomach may be related to indigestion, but if you continually develop this type of pain, you may have a medical condition. The most common causes for this type of pain from eating may be related to food intolerance, food allergies or irritable bowel syndrome.
Food Intolerance
Food intolerances can cause pain in the upper part of the stomach after eating. Many food intolerance symptoms do not develop quickly, but can take anywhere from 30 minutes to four hours before they show up. Food intolerances occur when your body cannot properly digest certain sugars, proteins or additives in certain foods. The most common food intolerances include fructose intolerance, lactose intolerance, gluten intolerance and MSG intolerance. Most symptoms of food intolerance directly affect the digestive system with nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, cramping and diarrhea.
Food Allergy
An allergic reaction to one or more foods can cause significant pain in the upper abdomen. Food allergies cause inflammation in soft tissue, virtually anywhere in the body. The most common places inflammation develops from a food allergy are in the lungs, sinuses, the skin and lining of the digestive system. Food allergies are not a digestive condition, but rather an overreaction of the immune system. The immune system mistakes the food as something dangerous. This mistake causes the body to react as if the food were a threat, causing the production of various chemicals.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome symptoms typically cause pain to develop in the upper part of the abdomen or in the lower portion of the large intestine shortly after eating. Irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, is not fully understood by the medical community. It is unclear what causes symptoms to develop. Chronic diarrhea, constipation or both are common symptoms of IBS. Any food can trigger IBS symptoms, but chocolate, dairy products and alcohol are some of the most common.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Talk with a gastroenterologist to determine the cause of the pain in the upper portion of your stomach. Once diagnosed, you will be offered the most effective treatment for your condition. Most food-related conditions are treated with avoidance of the foods that cause symptoms to develop.
