Stomach pain resulting from eating mild peppers may be caused by different digestive conditions. Irritable bowel syndrome symptoms are commonly triggered by various foods, including certain vegetables. Other common conditions that can cause stomach pain after eating mild peppers include food intolerance or food allergies. Before attempting to treat your symptoms, you need to talk with your doctor for the most effective treatment. Stomach pain is a general symptom that may be related to other conditions not mentioned.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome, also known as IBS, commonly causes stomach pain after eating certain vegetables, such as peppers. IBS is a digestive condition that causes stomach pain, cramps, diarrhea and constipation. The cause of this condition is still unclear, but IBS affects the function of the muscles in the colon, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. Muscles line the colon, contracting and relaxing to move waste downward toward the anus. If you have IBS, your muscles do not respond normally and may react too often or under-react. If you have IBS and you notice that eating mild peppers trigger your symptoms, stop eating them until you can be seen by your doctor.
Food Intolerance
It's possible to be intolerant of any food. Food intolerance is caused by a digestive malfunction where your small intestines fail to produce the appropriate amount of enzymes that are required to break down the proteins and sugars in foods. If you notice that every time you eat mild peppers you develop bloating, gas, cramping, stomach pain, diarrhea and nausea, you may have intolerance to peppers. Food intolerance symptoms do not affect any other part of the body aside from the digestive system. There is no cure for food intolerances, aside from complete elimination.
Food Allergy
Food intolerances and food allergies can cause similar symptoms, such as stomach pain, making it difficulty to diagnose the condition. Food allergies to mild peppers are caused by an overreaction of the immune system. Your body doesn't recognize the proteins in the pepper and reacts to them as if they're dangerous. The immune system reaction can lead to stomach pain, difficulty breathing, diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, wheezing, asthma, skin rash, skin irritation, hives and sinus congestion, according to MayoClinic.com.
Consideration
If you notice that you develop stomach pain after eating other foods, keep a food journal documenting the foods that cause pain. You may have a more serious condition, such as a an inflammatory bowel disease.
