At some point, almost everyone experiences stomach pain after eating. It’s easy to identify the probable culprit after overeating on a “food holiday” such as Thanksgiving. But you may wonder what to do on a typical Thursday, after a moderate meal with no alcohol causes you pain. There are many organs in the stomach, and stomach pain may emanate from any one of them: the end of the esophagus, small and large intestines, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, aorta, appendix, kidneys and spleen. In the absence of a known and serious medical condition, you can take some common-sense steps to avoid this pain — and call your doctor if the symptoms persist.
Step 1
Avoid fatty, fried and greasy foods, dairy products and foods that contain citrus or tomato. Reduce or eliminate trans-fatty acids that are found in commercially baked goods such as cookies, crackers, cakes, french fries, doughnuts, processed foods and margarine. Avoid refined foods, such as white breads, pasta and sugar.
Step 2
Avoid washing down your meal with beverages that may irritate your stomach lining, including coffee, alcohol and carbonated drinks.
Step 3
Stay upright after eating for at least 30 minutes to give your body time to properly digest your food.
Step 4
Finish eating at least two hours before you go to bed.
Step 5
Try an abdominal breathing exercise: Close your eyes and take a deep breath through your nose while keeping your mouth closed. Allow your abdomen rather than your chest to distend as you inhale. (Rest your hand on your stomach so that you can feel whether your stomach rises or falls as you breathe.) Deep breathing can reduce pain levels, not to mention reduce stress levels if your stomach pain is inciting fear in you.
Step 6
Take an over-the-counter antacid, especially if you feel heartburn or indigestion high in your abdomen. An antacid may soothe your pain.
Step 7
Abstain from products that could exacerbate your stomach pain, including aspirin, ibuprofen or other anti-inflammatory medications and narcotic pain medications.
Tips and Warnings
- Wait four hours before eating anything if your stomach pain has triggered vomiting. Then eat small amounts of mild food, such as crackers, rice and applesauce. Sip small amounts of water. Eat foods that are high in B vitamins and calcium, such as almonds, beans, whole grains and dark, leafy greens. Eat fewer red meats and more lean meats and chicken. Exercise at least 30 minutes a day, three days a week, and drink six to eight glasses of water a day.
- Seek immediate medical help or call 911 if you feel sudden, sharp abdominal pain; your stomach is rigid and tender to the touch; chest, neck or shoulder pain; or are vomiting blood or are having difficulty breathing. Call your doctor if you feel abdominal pain that lasts one week or longer; abdominal pain that does not improve in 24 to 48 hours or is becoming more severe and frequent; bloating that persists for more than two days; a burning sensation when you urinate or frequent urination; or a fever of more than 100 degrees. With or without the presence of blood, diarrhea that lasts for more than five days (or for more than two days for children) may also be a sign of a greater health problems. Your doctor should also know about persistent constipation, nausea, vomiting and jaundice.
