Pain that develops in your abdomen after you ingest food may be related to a wide array of digestive conditions. Abdominal pain may be the result of a peptic ulcer, food intolerances, gas pains or an inflammatory bowel disease, also called IBD. If the pain is consistent, you need to make an appointment with your doctor to determine the cause of the pain. Because abdominal pain may be related to a wide range of conditions, you should not attempt to self-diagnose or self-treat your symptoms without talking with your doctor.
Peptic Ulcer
The most common symptom of peptic ulcers is abdominal pain. The pain felt in the stomach is the result of an open sore that's formed in the lining of your stomach or intestinal lining. Your digestive system is lined with a mucus membrane that covers the soft tissue to protect the tissues from exposure to digestive acids. If the protective layer erodes, the acids will interact with the soft tissue, causing the formation of open sores that can be very painful. Common causes for developing a peptic ulcer include alcohol abuse, the use of tobacco products, the overuse of certain pain relievers and bacterial infections.
Food Intolerances
Food intolerances cause excessive gas, bloating, diarrhea, stomach pain and cramping. Food intolerances are commonly confused with food allergies, but are two different conditions. Food intolerances occur when your digestive system cannot break down certain proteins or sugars in food, while food allergies are an overreaction of the immune system. Common food intolerances include lactose, MSG, histamine, food additives, fructose and gluten. The only treatment for food intolerances is to avoid problem foods.
Gas Pains
Excessive gas in your digestive tract will cause sharp pains throughout your abdomen. Unlike other conditions, gas pains come and go and do not remain consistent. Certain foods are more likely to cause increased gas, such as fiber-rich foods, certain sugars, onions, broccoli, cauliflower and beans. Overeating, eating too fast and eating foods high in fat may trigger gas pain. Gas pains can also be the result of swallowing air when you eat or drink.
Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
More than 600,000 Americans suffer from inflammatory bowel diseases, or IBD, according to FamilyDoctor.org. IBD is a collection of different digestive diseases that cause chronic inflammation in the lining of your digestive system. The most common conditions include ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. The cause of IBS is still unclear and is commonly treated with dietary changes and medications.
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