It's alarming when you feel pain develop in your lower abdomen consistently after eating a meal. Lower abdominal pain is caused by a complication in your large intestine, also called your colon. Various conditions can cause lower abdominal pain, so you need to talk with your doctor to determine the cause. Common causes of lower abdominal pain include food intolerance, irritable bowel syndrome, gas pains and diverticulitis. Do not attempt to treat your symptoms without first talking with your doctor.
Food Intolerance
Food intolerance directly affects your colon, which could lead to pain in your lower abdomen. Food intolerance is the result of an inability to digest certain proteins, sugars or ingredients in some foods. Common food intolerances include MSG, lactose, fructose, food additives and gluten, according to the American College of Gastroenterology. The portion of the food that is undigested enters the colon and interacts with bacteria. This interaction causes excessive gas, bloating, diarrhea and nausea. Pain from food intolerance should only last for a few hours and will most likely subside after the food is expelled from the body.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
A common symptom of irritable bowel syndrome is pain in the lower abdomen accompanied with chronic diarrhea or constipation. IBS is a common digestive disorder that affects the large intestine, but doesn't cause any harm to the digestive system. The cause of IBS is unclear, but it's known that the condition is the result of erratic muscle spasms in the colon. IBS is treated with dietary changes, medications and reducing stress in your life. IBS has no cure.
Gas Pains
Gas pains can cause sudden, jabbing pain to occur in your lower abdomen shortly after eating. Passing gas is a common occurrence on a daily basis, but if the gas becomes trapped in your digestive system, it can cause minor to severe pain. Gas pains are alleviated when you pass gas or belch. Certain foods are considered more gas-forming than others. If you have gas pains often, the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse recommends avoiding broccoli, cauliflower, beans, sorbitol and high-fiber foods.
Diverticulitis
Diverticulitis is a common inflammation of pouches that line your digestive system. The most common cause of the infection is from stool becoming trapped between the pouches. Older people are more prone to develop this condition, and it primarily affects the lower portion of your digestive tract. Pain may increase after you eat or before you have a bowel movement.
