Stomach cramping, or tight abdominal pain, can occur for a number of reasons. When cramps follow a meal, your symptoms may be food- or digestion-related. Because stomach cramps can indicate a range of ailments, from mild to severe, proper medical guidance is suggested to best ensure your health and safety. If your stomach cramps strike suddenly, are intense or accompany other symptoms, such as rectal bleeding or fever, seek medical attention promptly.
Food Poisoning
When stomach cramping occurs 30 minutes to 72 hours after eating a contaminated food, food poisoning is a likely culprit. The University of Maryland Medical Center explains that such abdominal cramping occurs because the body is resisting or rejecting harmful bacteria. Additional symptoms of food poisoning may include nausea, vomiting, muscle aches, weakness and fever. Fish poisoning, in particular, results in abdominal cramping. To best prevent food poisoning, wash your hands and foods thoroughly prior to eating. Cook foods to appropriate temperatures consistently, and keep raw meat juices away from foods you plan to eat. When food poisoning is severe, medical attention may be required. For this reason, discuss your symptoms with your doctor for best results.
Impaction
Impaction, also known as fecal impaction, occurs when a large mass of hard stool results from severe constipation. In this case, abdominal cramping can occur after eating, as food and digestion may exacerbate feelings of fullness and abdominal pressure. As the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health notes, additional symptoms of impaction include strain while urinating, rectal bleeding and sudden, watery diarrhea in those who have chronic constipation. Medications and stool softeners may be prescribed to help treat impaction, and dietary measures, such as increased fiber and water intake, can help prevent impaction from developing. For best results, contact your doctor if symptoms of impaction arise.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a condition of the digestive tract that can cause abdominal cramping, bloating and/or constipation. Those with IBS may experience intense discomfort after eating, particularly following the consumption of "trigger" foods, or those that commonly stimulate symptoms. According to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, 1 in 5 Americans has symptoms of IBS and most are effectively treated through dietary lifestyle changes. If you have symptoms you suspect are IBS-related, seek proper diagnosis and guidance from your doctor, because abdominal cramping and other digestive symptoms may indicate an array of conditions. Acidic foods, spicy foods, caffeine, alcohol, dairy products and emotional distress tend to trigger symptoms in IBS sufferers. To determine which foods or situations cause or worsen your symptoms, discuss them with a dietary professional, who can help guide you toward a positive lifestyle and treatment plan.
