Intense stomach pain after eating spicy food is most likely the result of a peptic ulcer. Eating too many spicy foods was at one time thought to cause peptic ulcers. However, it is actually the H. pylori bacterium that most commonly causes ulcers, while the use of certain pain relievers, alcohol and tobacco can cause them as well, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Although spicy food does not cause ulcers, eating it can make ulcer symptoms worse. However, as stomach pain may be related to various conditions, you should consult your doctor if you develop pain in your stomach.
Cause
The reason a peptic ulcer would cause intestine stomach pain after eating spicy foods is because ulcers create open sores in the lining of your stomach. The open sore leaves the soft tissue underneath the stomach lining exposed and vulnerable to irritation and infection. When you eat spicy or highly acidic foods, the exposed soft tissue is aggravated by the intense spices. FamilyDoctor.org recommends avoiding spicy foods, alcohol or caffeine until your stomach ulcer is healed. Do not eat any foods that typically cause heartburn.
Symptoms
If you have an ulcer, you may or may not develop other symptoms along with intense stomach pain. Other symptoms of a peptic ulcer can include stomach pain in the middle of night, pain that develops from your navel up to your chest, pain in your stomach that appears and disappears, vomiting blood, nausea, weight loss, appetite changes and dark or bloody stools. If over-the-counter antacids do not help your symptoms, call your doctor.
Treatment
Treating stomach pain after eating spicy foods begins with a clinical diagnosis of the cause. If you're diagnosed with a peptic ulcer, your doctor will discuss your treatment options with you. Aside from eating a bland diet, you may need to take certain medications to treat your condition. Because most ulcers are the result of a bacterial infection, you may need to take one or more types of antibiotic to kill the infection. Reducing your stress, avoiding the use of tobacco and not overeating will help your stomach lining heal.
Other Considerations
It's possible that you can develop intestine stomach pain from spicy food if you have irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS. IBS is a common digestive condition that can cause severe pain in your stomach, but is usually accompanied by chronic diarrhea or constipation. If you've been diagnosed with Crohn's or celiac disease, avoid eating spicy foods.
