Dear doctor;

I am Denise, 18. Why do I always get a stomachache after I eat? It happens whenever I eat. Does this mean I have an infection?

Dear Denise, Stomachache after a meal in such a young age is most likely due to infection or dyspepsia. Protozoal or parasitic  or bacterial infections of the stomach can cause abdominal pain with or without nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. Pain is mostly colicky in nature. It may be diffuse or localised over the site. This is easily diagnosed by doing a simple stool examination, which reveals the causative microbes or parasites. Complete cure occurs after taking a course of suitable antibiotic.

Eating a big quantity of food, eating fatty food, taking food late in night, all these situations put a load on the stomach, where pain occurs  after taking food. If one remains constipated and bowels are not evacuated regularly, pain can occur in abdomen after meals. In functional dyspepsia, one gets burning type of pain after meals which may or may not be associated with nausea and vomiting. Post meal pain is a feature of gastric ulcer and chronic gastritis (inflammation of inner lining of stomach) as well. Use of alcohol tends to aggravate the pain, whatever may be the cause. Caffeine and soda  can also cause indigestion.

Prevention of the pain consists in taking small quantity of meals two to three times everyday instead of a big binge of food. Food should include more of green vegetables and fresh fruits. Drinking water in good quantity is also useful. One should  avoid alcohol, caffeine and soda should be taken in moderation. Use of acid neutralising  drugs and anti flatulent agents like dimethicone helps to relieve the pain.  If the problem persists it is advisable to do a stool test. Upper gastro intestinal endoscopy (where one can visualise food pipe, stomach and upper intestines by inserting a tube though nose), helps in detection of gastritis or a gastric ulcer. These conditions are also completely curable.