Why Do I Feel Bad After I Eat?

Eating food is supposed to be an enjoyable event; however, when you begin feeling bad after every meal, you can begin to dread mealtime. You may wonder “Why do I feel bad after I eat?”. There are several reasons, which is why it can be difficult to determine the root cause. Let’s take a look at how your digestive system works, the common causes of your digestive problems, and the top natural remedies to relieve your digestive problems.

How Does Your Digestive System Work?

Your digestive system is an intricate system that breaks down food and turns your food into nutrients and prevents dangerous microbes, toxins, and chemicals from entering your bloodstream. When you chew and swallow your food, it travels down the esophagus until it reaches your stomach. There it mixes with stomach acid and then travels through the intestinal tract where digestion takes place.

Your digestive tract runs from your mouth to your colon and includes a variety of organs, nerves, hormones, and bacteria. Because of the complexity of your digestive system, there are many things that can go wrong. Let’s take a look at the common symptoms you may experience after eating and the causes of these symptoms.

Symptoms of Digestive Problems

When your digestive system is not functioning properly, you can experience a variety of uncomfortable symptoms such as-

• Abdominal Pain
• Bloating
• Cold Sweat
• Constipation
• Cramping
• Diarrhea
• Dizziness
• Gas
• Hives
• Itching
• Low Grade Fever
• Stomach Gurgling
• Stomach Pain
• Vomiting
• Right Upper Quadrant Pain

Causes of Digestive Disorders

There are several causes that can make you to feel sick after a meal, including food poisoning and pregnancy.  Here are the top ten reasons you experience sickness, abdominal pain, and more after eating.

1. Acid Reflux – Acid reflux occurs when the valve between your stomach and esophagus does not close properly, allowing stomach acids to rise up into your esophagus. When this occurs, you can experience pain and burning behind your breast bone as well as nausea.
2. Carbonated Beverages – Drinking more than one glass of a carbonated beverage can place stress on your digestive system and result in bloating, abdominal pain, and gas. When you drink carbonated beverages, you are swallowing pockets of air. These pockets can become trapped in the stomach, resulting in pain.
3. Food Intolerances – A food intolerance occurs when the body has difficulty digestive a certain type of food or a component found in your food. For example, if you are lactose intolerant, your body is unable to digest the lactose (a sugar) found in dairy products. You can experience food intolerances for years without even knowing it. Food intolerances cause numerous subtle symptoms including nausea, fatigue, weight gain, migraines, brain fog, and low-level inflammation.
4. Food Poisoning – Food poisoning occurs when food is not properly handled, is not properly refrigerated, or is not safely stored. It can also occur when raw or undercooked meat and eggs are consumed. Contaminants, including bacteria and viruses, can cause food poisoning. The symptoms of food poisoning include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Typically, these symptoms start within a few hours of consuming contaminated food.
5. Gallbladder Problems – When your gallbladder is not functioning properly, it will not produce the bile needed to digest your food properly. Bile contains acid that is necessary for breaking down fats. The most common symptoms of a gallbladder problem include right upper quadrant pain that can extend into the back near the shoulder blades. You may also experience nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
6. Improper Chewing – Digestion begins in your mouth. As you chew, your salivary glands secrete enzymes that help break down food. If you do not properly chew your food, your digestive system must work harder, which can cause a number of digestive woes. You should chew your food until it is almost liquified; otherwise, you can experience abdominal pain, bloating, and gas.
7. Low Fiber – Fiber is vital to proper digestion. Unfortunately, it is estimated that most people are not eating enough fiber. Fiber helps clean the digestive tract, remove toxins, and feed the beneficial bacteria in the digestive tract. In addition to this, fiber helps regulate hormone levels, balance glucose levels, and keep you feeling fuller for a longer period of time. Fiber can also help with weight loss. The most common symptoms of low fiber include constipation, diarrhea, bloating, flatulence, and abdominal pain.
8. Remain Upright – It may be tempting to lie down after a delicious meal; however, it can slow down digestion and increase the risk of heartburn and indigestion. For best results, eat at least two to three hours before bedtime. For best results, take a walk after you eat. Research has shown that walking after a meal speeds up digestion, which can decrease the risk of digestive issues following a meal.
9. Stress – Stress not only places pressure on your mental health, but it also places pressure on your physical health. When you are stressed, your adrenal glands activate your fight or flight mode, which increases the production of cortisol and other stress hormones. When your fight or flight response activates, it impacts your digestion. Your digestive tract can become inflamed, you may experience Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) or Leaky Gut Syndrome.
10. Unbalanced Gut Bacteria – Your digestive tract contains trillions of beneficial as well as detrimental bacteria, fungi, and yeasts. The beneficial microbes are essential to your digestive health. They help break down the foods you eat and enhance your immunity and overall health. When our gut bacteria become imbalanced, it can cause a plethora of digestive problems, including constipation, diarrhea, bloating, inflammation, and abdominal pain.

How to Improve Your Digestive Health

Digestive health issues are often complex and require the assistance of medical professionals. Our team of digestive health specialists uses proven protocols to help correct issues that are causing your digestive problems. Treatment plans may include:

• Food Diaries – A food diary will help identify any foods that are causing issues.
• Well Balanced Diet – Eating a well balanced diet will ensure your body has the nutrients that it needs to keep your digestive system functioning properly.
• Herbs for Bacterial or Viral Infections – There are several herbs, including olive leaf extract, oregano, garlic, and berberine that help destroy bad bacteria and viruses as well as repair any damage in the digestive tract.
• Soothe the Digestive System – Lemon balm and marshmallow root help soothe the nerves in the digestive tract and reduce inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract.
• Vitamin and Mineral Supplementation – When you have a digestive issue, you can experience a number of nutritional deficiencies. Supplements can help your body repair itself, including the intestinal tract.
• Avoid Fatty and Spicy Foods – Fatty and spicy foods can irritate the digestive tract. It can also increase the risk of gallstones. Limiting fatty foods and spicy foods gives your body time to regenerate.
• Exercise – Exercise is essential to optimal digestion. It helps to improve gut motility, decrease inflammation, and reduce stress.
• Stress Relief Techniques – Stress relief techniques help to decrease anxiety and stress. Some of the best stress relief techniques for digestive health include meditation, deep breathing exercises, and yoga.

If you are experiencing regular abdominal pain, gas, bloating, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and constipation, it can make eating a chore. There are many causes of these symptoms including food intolerances, stress, improper chewing, and more. Working with a gut specialist can help improve your digestion as well as your overall health and well-being. Our functional medicine clinicians help determine the root cause of your digestive woes and use holistic treatment approaches for improving your gut health.