Heaviness in the stomach after a meal

A person is overcome by the feeling that instead of his favorite dish for lunch he ate a cobblestone. You must admit – the feeling is not pleasant. It bothers not only on a physical level, but also brings many unpleasant moments on an emotional level. Heaviness in the stomach after eating significantly reduces the quality of life of the victim, telling the “owner” about systemic failures affecting the body.

This unpleasant symptom should become a motivating factor that will force you to seek consultation and examination from a gastroenterologist.

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Causes of heaviness in the stomach after eating

The modern food industry and our crazy pace of life provoke many factors of malfunctions in the body that affect the organs of the digestive system. One of the most common pathologies is dyspepsia, expressed by a feeling of a burdened load in the epigastric region. The stomach simply does not cope with its work, food products are not digested in time and are retained, not utilized, in the digestive tract. So what are the causes of heaviness in the stomach after eating, how serious are they and how can they be stopped or prevented? We will try to find answers to these questions in this article.

So what could be the causes of heaviness in the stomach after eating? All the root causes that cause such discomfort have not yet been fully studied, but let's get acquainted with the most common sources of discomfort.

• If a person loves to eat well, then overeating can become a provoking factor for an unpleasant sensation.
• The catalyst for discomfort is often an abundance of fatty and fried foods in the diet, the use of incompatible products, and elements of coarse food.
• Eating "on the go", the habit of eating and watching TV or reading a newspaper, quickly consuming food at the table, swallowing poorly chewed food.
• Love for fast food products.
• Consumption of food products containing dyes, stabilizers, preservatives, and GMO products.
• The reason for heaviness in the stomach after eating in the morning may be a heavy dinner the day before and shortly before going to bed. At night, all body functions slow down (they also need rest) and the digestive system simply does not have time to process the food that was eaten late.
• Highly carbonated and alcoholic drinks, nicotine.
• Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract that have become chronic. For example, such diseases as cholecystitis or gastritis. In parallel, you can observe abdominal pain, flatulence, heartburn, nausea and belching.
• A neuropsychiatric disorder associated with a person being in a long-term stressful situation, depression. For example, such diseases as schizophrenia.
• Peristalsis can also be slowed down by a malfunction of the intestinal wall muscles, scars on the intestinal mucosa formed after ulcer treatment, due to increased acidity and perforation of the walls of the digestive tract. This causes insufficient work of the sphincter.
• An unbalanced diet, poor in vitamins and microelements, can lead to problems with the mucous membrane of the digestive system.
• The walls of the gastrointestinal tract can also be irritated by such products as strong tea and coffee, excess protein foods, which are characterized by increased gas production: legumes, eggs, mushrooms. Large consumption of carbohydrates also does not go unnoticed: sweets, confectionery, pastries (especially hot ones).
• Dairy products can also cause heaviness in the stomach after eating.
• Tomatoes and tomato derivatives can provoke the discomfort in question.
• In elderly people, the symptoms of a "lazy stomach" appear due to age-related characteristics of the body, because over the years the level of enzyme production required for the complete processing of food products entering it decreases. The muscular activity of the walls of the digestive tract weakens.
• A feeling of heaviness in the stomach after eating in a pregnant woman may indicate a lack of plant-based foods in the woman’s diet.
• The cause of this unpleasant manifestation may be an infectious disease.
• The decay products of tumors of any genesis can also provoke discomfort.
• Physical inactivity, the scourge of modern times, can also reduce peristalsis.
• A long-term illness that confines the patient to bed - prolonged bed rest (reduced physical activity) can cause discomfort in the abdomen.
• The cause of the pathology may also be a severe form of circulatory disorder.
• Intestinal dysbacteriosis.
• Parasitic infestations.

It is quite rare to observe heaviness in the stomach after eating as a single symptom. Mostly, it is combined with other symptoms, the complex set of which is an indicator that narrows the definition of the primary source of pathology.

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Symptoms of heaviness in the stomach after eating

"Lazy stomach" syndrome - this is how this disorder is also called, doctors call it dyspepsia. In a nutshell, dyspepsia is a situation when the muscles of the digestive system lose their former activity and are unable to contract adequately. As a result, incoming food cannot be fully digested, settling as "dead weight" in the stomach. Usually, this process is also accompanied by nausea, belching, and the appearance of pain symptoms in the upper abdomen. These are the main symptoms of heaviness in the stomach after eating.

Heaviness in the stomach after meat

After eating meat, there is a heaviness in the stomach - it is worth sorting out this problem. The fact is that much depends on when the product was consumed. If this process occurred in the late evening hours, then you should not be surprised by such symptoms. Meat products are quite heavy for the body, especially during the period when all processes begin to slow down and a person is preparing to rest.

The heaviness may appear both at night and in the morning. But there are also cases when the unpleasant symptom appears almost immediately after consumption. This may be due to the large amount eaten. After all, as noted above, meat is a heavy product for the body.

But it is not always so simple. Such symptoms may indicate problems with the digestive system. Perhaps it is gastritis or the beginning of an inflammatory process. It is definitely not worth excluding these factors. Heaviness in the stomach after eating is a reason to see a doctor, because all this indicates problems with the abdominal organs.

Heaviness in the stomach after drinking water

Heaviness in the stomach after drinking water indicates problems with the digestive system. In particularly severe cases, a person feels unpleasant symptoms not only after eating, but also after drinking liquid.

This phenomenon can be caused by gallbladder reflux. A similar phenomenon occurs with gastroduodenitis. In this case, nausea, dry tongue and constant thirst can be observed. Cholecystitis, pancreatitis, enlarged pancreas and liver problems have similar symptoms.

Gastritis may develop, but at a more serious stage. Almost every second disease of the digestive system can manifest itself in a similar way. It is difficult to say what the problem is based on two signs. It is definitely related to the abdominal organs. Therefore, the sooner a person undergoes a gastroscopy and ultrasound, the faster quality treatment will be prescribed. Heaviness in the stomach, which occurs repeatedly and manifests itself over a long period of time, requires an immediate solution to the problem.

Heaviness in the stomach after alcohol

If you feel heaviness in your stomach after drinking alcohol, you need to get rid of this bad habit. Everyone knows that alcoholic drinks are quite high in calories. Therefore, if you drink them in large quantities, unpleasant symptoms may occur. Alcohol itself does not represent anything positive. It negatively affects not only the stomach, but also the liver.

Due to its caloric content and "burning composition", it affects the mucous membranes of the digestive organs. Heaviness can appear after a large amount of alcohol. This is where unpleasant symptoms appear in the morning, in the form of nausea, headache, unpleasant sensations in the stomach and liver.

It is impossible to get rid of this problem by medical means. It is necessary to simply drink less alcohol or simply give it up. Alcohol has a negative effect on the body and this problem cannot be eliminated. Therefore, if you feel heaviness in the stomach after a feast, you do not necessarily need to go to the doctor, it is enough to simply quit this bad habit.

Diagnosis of heaviness in the stomach after eating

A feeling of fullness in the epigastrium, causing discomfort, is unpleasant, but it can be not only a consequence of poor nutrition, but also an indicator of a disease developing in the human body. A full stomach is a symptom of many diseases, so the diagnosis of heaviness in the stomach after eating can include a set of examination methods in various combinations. The list of studies that the patient must undergo is prescribed by his attending physician, depending on the suspected primary source of the pathology. After all, "blind" therapy can not only be ineffective, but can also bring serious consequences. Therefore, a specialist will analyze the patient's complaints, conduct an examination and only then prescribe a set of necessary examinations.

This could be:

• Fibroesophagogastroduodenoscopy is an endoscopic examination of the digestive organs, most frequently performed recently. A gastroscope is used to examine the mucous membrane of the stomach and duodenum. Foci of inflammation, dystrophic processes and other pathologies are identified. It shows availability in conducting chromoscopy and taking a fragment of the mucous membrane for analysis.
• Gastrochromogastroscopy is a technique that allows for an analysis to clarify the level of acid-forming activity of gastric secretions. It allows for an assessment of the extent of atrophic pathologies. To conduct the study, an endoscope is inserted into the stomach through a special channel, and special dyes are used. The degree of contrasting of the staining is analyzed.
• Morphological examination – testing is carried out using a microscope. An analysis of the mucous membrane taken during the previous examination is carried out. An assessment is made of the degree of atrophy of the matter, the normal state of which was disrupted by some negative factors, for example, the effect of hydrochloric acid.
• Intragastric pH-metry according to Linar is performed. Thanks to special pH-sensors placed in the internal cavity of the stomach in the zone of gastric secretions, the specialist conducts a test assessment of the activity of the acid produced by them. In parallel, test studies are conducted to assess the work of the organ under histamine, pentagastrin, insulin, atropine load.
• Endovideocapsule – a small special device equipped with a mini-video camera is inserted into the patient through the esophagus, which, as it moves, takes pictures, passing through the entire digestive tract. A highly informative method. Allows you to assess the condition of the digestive organs and identify pathological changes.
• Fibroileocolonoscopy is an endoscopic examination of the lower part of the small intestine and the entire large intestine. The level of activity, tone and motility is assessed. Inflammation foci are determined. Quite often, this examination is also used as a method of therapeutic treatment, allowing the intestinal loops to be straightened somewhat. Quite an informative procedure.
• Irrigoscopy is an X-ray examination of the colon.
• Computed tomography and/or magnetic resonance imaging is a radioisotope study that allows us to assess the level of bile produced by the liver and the activity of its passage through the biliary tract.
• Enteroscopy is an assessment of the condition of the mucous membrane using endoscopic examination.
• Gastric X-ray is an X-ray examination performed using a contrast agent (barium). Evaluation of intestinal motility.
• Cholecystography is an X-ray examination of the gallbladder using a contrast agent.
• Hepatocholecystography is a radioisotope study that allows for a qualitative assessment and registration of all stages of bile passage. This method makes it possible to diagnose both hypotonic failures and hypokinetic deviations.
• Coprogram is a simplified method for assessing the functioning of the digestive tract. It allows you to assess failures in the process of assimilation and dissimilation of proteins, fats and carbohydrates. It allows you to differentiate cysts and individuals of parasitic microorganisms.
• Ultrasonography performed with loads. Provides an assessment of the contractile activity of the muscle tissues of the gallbladder and sphincters.
• Duodenal sounding is an analysis of the state of various bile samples, which makes it possible to evaluate the work of individual sections of the gallbladder. In order to increase the informativeness of the study, a test is performed using a contrast agent.
• Enzymatic blood test for pancreatic enzymes.
• Plasma test for pepsinogens and gastrin.
• Analysis of feces for elastase-1, a decrease in its level indicates a decrease in the activity of the pancreas.
• Stool culture, which provides an assessment of the balance of intestinal flora. Disturbances in the equilibrium combination lead to intestinal dysbacteriosis.
• Immunological and molecular tests that make it possible to recognize the presence of invasive parasites in the human body.

Naturally, the patient will not have to undergo all these examinations. The attending physician will select those that will be the most informative in this particular case.

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Treatment of heaviness in the stomach after eating

Any therapeutic actions can be carried out only if the source provoking this pathological manifestation is established. Treatment of heaviness in the stomach after eating begins only after a full examination and based on its results.

A diet is definitely prescribed, which is prescribed by the attending physician, based on the localization of the disease. Each pathology has its own specific dietary adjustment. In addition, "heavy foods" are removed from the diet. The doctor may recommend keeping a food diary, which includes the products included in the consumed dish and the body's reaction to it. This makes it possible to establish the relationship between a specific product and an uncomfortable manifestation. Sometimes it is quite sufficient to exclude the "irritating product" from the patient's diet and the unpleasant symptoms go away. This method of relief is called elimination. In some cases, this method can also be used to diagnose the patient's intolerance to specific products and chemical elements.

In addition to the diet, the patient takes pharmacotherapy prescribed directly to affect the disease - the provocateur of heaviness in the stomach after eating. Usually, pharmacological therapy is divided into drugs of substitution action and drugs designed to regulate the mechanism of motor activity of the digestive tract: cholekinetics and prokinetics.

Substitution therapy drugs are introduced into the treatment process in order to fully or partially replenish and activate the lost level of secretory function of the pancreas or stomach directly. For example, if a patient has a confirmed low acidity level, drugs with an increased content of hydrochloric acid or pepsin are prescribed. These include pepcidil, gastric juice, acidin-pepsin, abomin.

The drug pepcidil causes activation of protein processing in the human stomach. The drug is administered orally together with food products one to two tablespoons three times a day. It is advisable to take the drug through a tube. There are currently no data on contraindications for the drug.

Acidin-pepsin is a combination drug that helps normalize the process of digestion of food in the stomach. The drug is administered to the body with food or immediately after the meal, one or two tablets, soluble in half or a quarter of a glass of water. The number of doses is three to four times a day. For small patients, the dosage is prescribed depending on age, and ranges from a quarter of a tablet to one whole one, used three to four times a day.

The therapy protocol is supplemented with polyenzyme preparations: mezim-forte, festal, panzinorm, digestal, enzistal and other drugs with similar effects.

Festal is used together with food or after a meal with a small amount of water. The starting dosage is one to two pills three times a day. If necessary, the doctor can increase the amount of the drug administered. In case of an X-ray examination or ultrasound, two pills are taken two to three times a day. The method of administration and the dose for small patients are prescribed only by the attending physician. The duration of therapy, depending on the severity of the pathology, is from several days to several months, and in the case of replacement therapy, even years.

Festal is contraindicated for use in cases of hypersensitivity to the components of the drug, in the acute phase or chronic nature of pancreatitis, in cases of acute liver failure, pre-coma and hepatic coma, cholelithiasis, hyperbilirubinemia, intestinal obstruction, a tendency to diarrheal manifestations, and in children under three years of age.

Mezim-forte is taken strictly individually before meals. Adult patients drink one to two tablets. If there is a clinical need, one to four more tablets can be added during meals. These changes and the amount of the drug for children are prescribed only by a doctor. The duration of treatment is determined by the attending physician.

It is not recommended to take this medicine to patients with a history of hypersensitivity to the components of the drug, acute or chronic pancreatitis.

If pancreatic exocrine insufficiency is diagnosed, doctors tend to prescribe stronger modern polyenzymes. For example, such as Creon, Pancitrate, Micrazim, Ermital. They are usually administered to the patient in increased doses. In particularly severe cases, the patient has to take them throughout his life.

Pancitrate is taken by the patient with or after food. The administered dose depends on the severity of digestive problems. Adults are prescribed one to two capsules (with an active substance concentration of 10,000 IU) or one capsule (with an active substance concentration of 25,000 IU), which are administered three times a day. For young patients who are already six years old, therapy and dosages are prescribed only by the attending physician.

Contraindications for the use of pancitrate are similar to those of mezim-forte.

Ermital is taken in the same way as pancitrate. The only difference for adult patients will be the different number of units of the drug taken depending on the concentration of the active substance in them: two to four capsules (with an active substance concentration of 10,000 U), one to two capsules (with an active substance concentration of 25,000 U) or one capsule (with an active substance concentration of 36,000 U). The drug is used with each meal.

To stimulate intestinal peristalsis and restore coordination in the work of various zones of the digestive tract, doctors usually prescribe prokinetics (motility regulators). These include itoprides (for example, ganaton), metoclopramides (cerucal, reglan) and domperidones, which include passazhiks, motilium, motonium, motilak. In particularly severe situations, for example, in the case of atony that developed after surgery, ubretide or proserin are prescribed.

Ganaton is prescribed orally. For adult patients, the dosage of the drug is one tablet (50 mg) three times a day. Contraindications to this drug include hypersensitivity to itopride or other components of the drug; bleeding, perforation and ulcerative manifestations affecting the gastrointestinal tract; as well as during pregnancy and lactation, children under 16 years of age.

Passazhiks is administered orally 15-30 minutes before meals, one tablet (10 mg) three times a day. If medically necessary, an additional dose is prescribed before going to bed. For children who have crossed the five-year mark - a quarter of a tablet (2.5 mg) for every 10 kg of body weight, taken three times a day.

If therapeutically necessary, the amount of drug administered can be doubled.

The drug is contraindicated in cases of phenylketonuria, individual intolerance to the components of the drug, in cases of diagnosis of prolactinoma (prolactin-secreting neoplasm in the pituitary gland) and for children under five years of age or weighing less than 20 kg.

In order to activate the contractile activity of the gallbladder muscle tissue and simultaneously reduce the tone of the sphincter valve, the patient is recommended to take cholekinetics. This group of drugs includes Carlsbad salt, xylitol, barberry tincture, sorbitol, magnesium sulfate, berberine, and tsikvalon.

Magnesium sulfate is administered to the patient as an intravenous or intramuscular injection, and only on doctor's orders. The 25% solution is administered slowly, and its dosage is adjusted as the therapeutic result is achieved. The level of magnesium sulfate in the blood plasma is monitored in parallel. The prescribed interval is usually between 5 and 20 ml.

It is not recommended to use magnesium sulfate in case of hypersensitivity to the drug, arterial hypertension, low calcium levels in the patient's body, or suppression of the respiratory center.

Auxiliary methods will also be useful. For example, such as:

• Physiotherapeutic procedures: swimming pool, hydromassage, medicinal baths, massages and others.
• Preventive and supportive therapy with specialized mineral waters.
• A set of gymnastic exercises selected by a specialist.
• Recipes and methods of traditional medicine.

To “soften” or prevent the appearance of heaviness in the stomach after eating, you can insure yourself with some advice from our grandmothers.

1. It is necessary to prepare a decoction of centaury, chamomile or yarrow in advance. Pour two tablespoons of the herb with half a liter of boiling water, keep in a water bath for 15 minutes, then leave for 30-45 minutes, then collect the pulp. Drink half a glass of the strained liquid half an hour before the expected meal.
2. Before going to bed, two or three hours before, it is advisable to drink a glass of kefir.
3. If you still feel heaviness in your stomach after eating, you can try a simple procedure: put a warm diaper on your stomach, remove the diaper after ten minutes and massage your stomach with light movements for half an hour. Hand movements should be light, circular, and done clockwise.
4. Prepare the tincture: pour half a liter of vodka over two tablespoons of crushed yellow gentian root. Put the mixture in a cool, dark place for two weeks, then strain the liquid through cheesecloth. The extract should be taken for four to five days. Before use, dilute 20-30 drops of the tincture with six to eight tablespoons of water. Just don't get carried away with this mixture if your professional activity involves driving a vehicle.
5. It would not be superfluous to conduct relaxing auto-training, yoga classes. They allow you to stabilize the nervous system, which can also become a provocateur of heaviness in the stomach after eating.
6. As a strengthening and stimulating gymnastics for women, belly dancing is a great choice, for the stronger sex - it can be belly dancing.
7. The oldest and most effective recipe of our ancestors is dill or fennel water (infusion of dill or fennel seeds). Taking a decoction of the following mixture is highly effective: take two parts mint leaves, one part fennel fruits, three parts chamomile, one part anise fruits, three parts buckthorn bark. Grind each product thoroughly and mix with each other. Pour two tablespoons of the mixture with half a liter of boiling water, hold for 15 minutes in a water bath. Set aside to cool, then strain. Take two to three glasses during the day, drinking in small portions.

Prevention and treatment of heaviness in the stomach

Discomfort after a meal is a condition familiar to many. Is it possible to protect yourself from this misfortune and how to do it? Prevention of heaviness in the stomach after eating includes some recommendations, the implementation of which can significantly reduce the likelihood of this unpleasant symptom.

• You should not overload your digestive system before going to bed. Make it a rule that your last meal should be two to three hours before going to bed. Dinner should be light. You can drink a glass of kefir before going to bed.
• A well-established nutrition system and a balanced diet are the key to the normal functioning of the digestive system.
• During the meal portions should be small, but you should eat often and regularly (frequent diets have an adverse effect on the kinetics of the digestive organs). Intervals between meals are welcomed from two to three hours.
• When a person eats, one should not talk, read a newspaper or watch TV at the same time.
• Food should be chewed thoroughly. It would be useful to remember the popular wisdom: "who chews long - lives long"!
• Avoid overeating and watch your weight. Its large excess sharply increases the risk of developing many diseases, which provoke heaviness in the stomach after eating.
• It is necessary to remove spicy, fried and fatty foods and carbonated drinks from the diet.
• Give up bad habits: alcohol, nicotine (both active and passive smoking are harmful). If it is difficult to do this right away, then you need to try to minimize the factor that irritates the gastric mucosa.
• Carefully monitor the compatibility of products used in one meal.
• Try to learn to avoid stressful situations or cope with them adequately.
• Avoid physical activity and increased stress immediately after eating.
• If a person has a tendency to feel heaviness in the stomach after eating, long periods of fasting are strictly contraindicated.
• You shouldn't start eating right after a scandal or other psychologically negative situation. You need to calm down first, and only then start eating.
• It is also worth adhering to the temperature regime of the food consumed. In case of dyspepsia, hot, as well as very cold food, is strictly contraindicated.
• It is necessary to exclude from your diet as much as possible sweet refined products, fast food products, food products that contain stabilizers, preservatives, colorings and other harmful additives.
• You should not self-medicate, as the cause of heaviness in the epigastrium may be the medications you are using.
• Be very careful when taking medications prescribed by your doctor - some of them have side effects such as heaviness in the stomach.
• People suffering from this unpleasant symptomatology should pay due attention to intensive movement. It is necessary to spend more time in the gym or on the dance floor, swimming, running and long walks in nature are great.
• Avoid dehydration. Drink plenty of water - it helps with digestion and will also help you feel full faster, which will prevent you from overeating. Get into the habit of drinking a glass of warm water 30 minutes before your main meal. Water washes away the existing gastric juice, warms up the digestive organs, preparing them for work. After that, a new portion of gastric juice is produced - the stomach is ready for normal functioning. In this situation, it will be easier for it to work, and the water drunk the day before is perfectly absorbed into the blood, compensating for the lack of fluid in the body.
• During the hot summer, instead of warm water, you can drink a glass of cool water, but in this case the interval before meals should be increased to 40 minutes.
• If you feel thirsty while eating, you can drink liquid, but you should not drink it, but “chew” it.
• You should not drink juices, compotes, tea or coffee immediately after eating. This helps to reduce the level of gastric juice, which leads to a slowdown in the processing of products entering the stomach. Maintaining this habit for a long time can eventually lead to a disruption of the digestive process.
• If these preventive measures do not help to get rid of the unpleasant symptoms, you need to seek help from a specialist and undergo an examination to identify the pathological disease that provokes these symptoms.
• A good rest also makes a positive contribution to well-being. It is advisable to go to bed at the same time and no later than 11 pm.
• If you still feel heaviness in the stomach after eating, you should analyze your actions and diet the day before and, if possible, eliminate the irritant.

By following the simple recommendations above, you can significantly reduce the intensity of unpleasant symptoms or completely prevent their occurrence. A healthy lifestyle, including constant physical activity, balanced nutrition and the elimination of bad habits, will give you the opportunity to protect yourself from many pathological changes in the body.

Prediction of heaviness in the stomach after eating

In many ways, the prognosis of heaviness in the stomach after eating depends on the person himself. People who lead a healthy lifestyle significantly reduce the risk of getting unpleasant symptoms. But if the discomfort still bothers you, then a timely visit to a specialist who will determine the cause and prescribe adequate therapy will make the prognosis of heaviness in the stomach after more than favorable, reducing further recurrence of the disease to zero.

A high level of fulfilling life largely depends on how we feel. It is hard to imagine a person who flutters with joy when he is bothered by a heaviness in the stomach after eating. But everything, first of all, is in the hands of the person himself. After all, only he is able to hear the "complaints" of his body and take the necessary measures to improve his health: eliminating bad habits, leading an active lifestyle filled with healthy food and a positive attitude. After all, only the person himself can decide to seek help from a doctor. Therefore, be more attentive to your body, and it will stop "upsetting" you with such unpleasant symptoms.