A burning sensation in the stomach after eating can be a sign of digestive problems like gastritis, GERD, food allergies or intolerances, or psychological stress. This short article talks about the causes, diagnosis and treatments of digestive problems that create painful sensations in the stomach.
The stomach is a J-shaped muscular organ located in the abdominal cavity in between the esophagus and small intestine. Two of the primary functions of the stomach are to receive food from the esophageal sphincter and to expand to keep food. The stomach likewise produces enzymes and acids, which help in proper digestion. Pepsin is a primary enzyme the stomach secretes that helps to digest proteins, while hydrochloric acid is an acid produced by the stomach that helps get rid of harmful bacteria and preserve appropriate ph balance.
In the stomach, food mixes with water and gastric juices to help in the breakdown of food into smaller particles called chyme. This chyme moves into the small intestine through the pyloric sphincter, situated at the end of the stomach, before it takes a trip to the small intestinal tracts.
Causes of Burning Sensation in Stomach after Eating
Many conditions can contribute to a burning sensation in the stomach, especially after food consumption. Medical history and current symptoms are essential elements which physicians use to identify what is triggering this painful symptom. Here are a few of the most common reasons for a burning sensation in the stomach.
Gastritis – When an irritated, harmed, or irritated area in the lining of the stomach is exposed to gastric juices, gastritis can develop. Pain from gastritis differs in people but the most common reported symptoms include the following:
- A burning feeling in the stomach after meals or when lying down.
- Queasiness
- Bloating
- Indigestion
- Abdominal pain
- Hiccups
- A loss of appetite
H. pylori bacteria (Helicobacter pylori) cause a kind of gastritis that appears like heartburn. Pernicious anemia, smoking cigarettes, use of alcohol, food intolerance or food allergy, Crohn’s disease, celiac disease, and other underlying health conditions can likewise result in gastritis.
To diagnose gastritis the physician might advise an additional test called an endoscopy. For an upper endoscopy, the doctor inserts a thin, versatile tube that contains a small cam through the patient’s mouth or nose to advance the tube to the client’s stomach. The endoscopy permits the doctor to inspect the lining of the esophagus and stomach for inflammation and acquire a tissue sample if needed.
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) – Gastroesophageal reflux happens when the lower esophageal sphincter opens wrongly or fails to close totally. When reflux occurs, digestive acids rise up into the esophagus causing the common burning sensation referred to as heartburn.
Understood aspects that contribute to the development of GERD include the following:
- Obesity
- Pregnancy
- Smoking cigarettes
- Spicy, citrus, and tomato-based foods
To dismiss GERD a physician might need to perform additional tests on patients who report symptoms of heartburn that get worse at night or when lying down. A ph research study, barium x-ray, and upper endoscopy prevail tests physicians used to identify GERD, according to iytmed.com. The diagnosis is validated when the medications designed to suppress the production of stomach acid and reduces a patient’s symptoms.
Food allergy or intolerance – Burning sensations in the chest and upper abdominal areas that occur after eating can arise from food allergies or food intolerances. When an individual suffers burning sensations in the stomach that occur with vomiting and/or diarrhea, the physician may buy a series of skin tests to rule out food allergies.
Medications or drugs – Medications like aspirin and Tylenol and alcohol use and smoking can increase stomach pain and irritation. In addition, anti-inflammatory drugs like Ibuprofen and Naproxen can break down the protective lining of the stomach putting the individual at risk for gastritis.
Psychological stress – Many digestive problems are a result of badly managed emotional stress. Stress can decrease the digestion of food to where the stomach acids stay in the stomach, increasing the possibility that reflux will take place. A physician can diagnose psychological stress with a detailed health interview or psychological health examination to figure out whether stress is the underlying cause of the burning stomach pain.
Treatments of Burning Sensation in Stomach
The treatment of option for a burning sensation in the stomach is based upon the client’s medical history and present symptoms. Blood test, endoscopies, upper gastrointestinal x-rays, and other procedures help dismiss serious hidden medical illness. Swift treatment of the symptoms can help to prevent possible long-lasting medical complications. Here are four ways of treatment for a burning sensation in the stomach.
- Medications – Antacids are the first medical line of treatment to control the quantity of acid. If antacids are ineffective then the physician will prescribe H2 blockers, like Tagament, Zantac, and Pepcid. These medications work to reduce the production of stomach acid. If gastritis is believed to be a result of H. pylori bacteria, the physician will recommend antibiotics to treat the bacterial infection.
- Diet – Avoiding foods that aggravate the stomach such as spicy foods, tomato-based foods, citrus foods, chocolate, coffee, mint, garlic and onions may help in reducing heartburn symptoms. Snacking on dull foods like crackers, corn, and rice can likewise help reduce reflux.
- Change of lifestyle – Losing weight may reduce burning sensations in the stomach in overweight or obese individuals by lowering the pressure on the esophageal sphincter. Regular workout, getting rid of cigarette smoking and quit alcohol also help to improve digestive health.
