Most people experience occasional digestive upsets after eating, such as belching, gas pains and heartburn. While these symptoms are not uncommon, they may indicate the presence of a health condition, especially if they occur frequently. Identifying an eliminating certain foods may help minimize some of the triggers that can lead to digestive discomfort.
Heartburn
Heartburn is another word for acid reflux. This condition causes a burning sensation in your chest, beneath your sternum. Other common symptoms include belching, nausea, sore throat and regurgitating food. When the esophageal sphincter fails to close off the esophagus, food and acids from your stomach can enter the esophagus and irritate the lining, leading to these symptoms. Heartburn occurs most frequently shortly after eating, especially if you bend over or lie down after a large meal. Alcohol, cigarettes and stress may increase your risk of heartburn. Nonprescription medications that contain magnesium hydroxide or calcium carbonate may help neutralize stomach acids.
Left Side chest pain (link to a more detailed article):
Gas
Although acid reflux can cause burping and belching, intestinal gas and bloating usually occurs after swallowing air. The gas pains may range in intensity from mild to intense. Passing gas may ease the pain and discomfort of intestinal gas. As with heartburn, stress and smoking can play contribute to this condition. Other factors that may play a role include a gastrointestinal disease, infection or blockage, as well as the consumption of certain foods.
Diet
Certain foods can increase your risk of digestive discomfort. Fatty foods are a common source of digestive discomfort, due to their slow rate of digestion. Carbohydrate-rich foods can also contribute to your abdominal distress. Common culprits include lettuce, broccoli, pears, peaches, apples, cauliflower, baked beans, cabbage and brussels sprouts. Drinking carbonated beverages, chewing on gum or eating hard candy may also increase your risk of gas pains. If you have lactose intolerance, consuming dairy products may cause bloating, gas and diarrhea.
Experiencing chest pain after eating (<- good website on the topic) is a good sign that you have either eaten too much or you have eaten the wrong kind of food. However, according to clinical studies, there are many reasons to consider why a person is experiencing chest pain after eating. Here are some of the common causes of chest pain after eating:
1. Acid Reflux
Acid reflux is mucosal damage suffered through chest pain when the acid from the stomach goes up to the esophagus. This is most often experienced when the barrier between the stomach and the esophagus weakens and the esophageal sphincter is at an abnormal state. This may cause heartburn, regurgitation, stomach bloating, mild nausea and occasional water brash. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (or GERD) is caused by a chronic case of acid reflux. In GERD, the pain may be constant and may worsen, especially at night when sleeping. Other causes of gastrointestinal that cause chest pain after eating are as follows:
- Esophageal Ulcer
- Achalasia
- Esophageal Tear
- Gastritis and Peptic Ulcer
- Hiatal Hernia
- Intestinal Obstruction
- Biliary Tract and Gallbladder Disease
- Pancreatitis
2. Ulcers
Ulcer is a crater-like sore which forms in the lining of the stomach just below the stomach area at the beginning of small intestine in the duodenum. It is well described as an open wound which develops inside the lining of the digestive tract due to bacterial infection, causing a person to experience chest pain soon after eating. Anyone who suffers chest pain due to an ulcer must seek professional medical assistance.
3. Heart problem
In most cases, a pain experienced in the middle area of chest is perceived as a heart problem. Although heart problems can be very vague, it could be Angina or a heart attack which is causing the pain. A lack of blood and oxygen flowing to the heart will produce a chest pain that may spread to the arm, shoulder, jaw or back. Another heart problem that causes chest pain is when there is a tear in the wall of the aorta; the large blood vessel that takes the blood from the heart to the rest of the body. This can result in severe pain in the upper back and in the chest area of the body. Also, an inflammation in the sac that surrounds the heart causes pain in the middle area of the chest.
4. Extreme Indigestion
Extreme Indigestion usually happens when we experience a difficulty to masticate or swallow the food that we eat. This happens when the food we eat does not travel properly from the esophagus down to the stomach. Overeating, gas and fatigue may cause extreme indigestion as well, along with excessive intake of oily foods, caffeine, tea and alcohol, and all possibly leading to severe chest
5. Unhealthy diet
Eating the wrong kinds of food is a sure cause of chest pain. By letting unhealthy food get into your body like junk food, oily food, alcohol and the like, you could absorb the wrong nutrients, which are then distributed all over your body and possibly causing you to experience chest pain. Unhealthy diet and improper eating habits can lead to gastritis and burning chest pain.
For more informations about the subject you can also check this page : Right side chest pain after eating
Other common causes of chest pain after eating are:
- Lung problems like Pneumonia and Pulmonary Embolism
- Panic Attack
- Inflammation when the ribs join the breast bone
- Shingles
- Inflammation of muscles and tendons between the ribs
- Spasm of the oesophagus
- Gallstone
