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Published on: 4/7/2025

What Could Cause Severe Abdominal Pain After Eating?

Severe abdominal pain after eating can be caused by several conditions that affect the stomach, intestines, and nearby organs. The pain typically stems from inflammation or problems like gallstones.

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Explanation

Pain after eating typically indicates a digestive system issue. Inflammation of the stomach or intestines is a common cause. This can occur due to ulcers—sores that develop in the stomach lining—or gastritis, which causes the stomach walls to become inflamed. The gallbladder can also cause problems, particularly when gallstones block bile flow, causing pain after meals, especially fatty ones. The pancreas may become inflamed, a condition called pancreatitis, leading to severe pain accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Some people also have heightened gut sensitivity, where digestive tract nerves react strongly to food, causing pain. Food intolerances or allergies can trigger similar symptoms after eating. Given these many possible causes, it's essential to see a healthcare professional who can review your medical history and run appropriate tests to determine the exact cause and proper treatment.

(References)

  • Grigorian A, Lin MYC, de Virgilio C. Severe Epigastric Pain with Nausea and Vomiting. Surgery. 2019 May 3:227–37. doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-05387-1_20. PMCID: PMC7123429.

  • Lukic S, Mijac D, Filipovic B, Sokic-Milutinovic A, Tomasevic R, Krstic M, Milosavljevic T. Chronic Abdominal Pain: Gastroenterologist Approach. Dig Dis. 2022;40(2):181-186. doi: 10.1159/000516977. Epub 2021 May 4. PMID: 33946069.

  • Aguilera-Lizarraga J. Gut reactions: emerging mechanisms of abdominal pain from food intake. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol. 2022 Nov 1;323(5):G401-G409. doi: 10.1152/ajpgi.00173.2022. Epub 2022 Sep 20. PMID: 36126222.

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