Many people experience abdominal pain or even diarrhea after breakfast, which can be concerning. This article will discuss the possible causes of this issue and provide some solutions to alleviate the problem.
1. Reasons for Abdominal Pain After Breakfast
According to nutrition experts from Total Health (USA), breakfast should be consumed within two hours of waking up. This is because the body undergoes intense metabolic processes during this time. Intestinal peristalsis occurs to digest food or perform excretory functions. Hence, it is normal to experience mild abdominal pain during this period, and there is no need for concern.
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Spicy food: Eating spicy food for breakfast can irritate the stomach and cause abdominal pain.
Acidic foods: Foods with high acidity can irritate the stomach, including oranges, lemons, and processed tomato products.
Food allergies: If abdominal pain after breakfast is accompanied by diarrhea, itching, or discomfort, it could be due to a food allergy. Typical allergenic foods include milk, soy, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, and eggs.
Constipation: While the body is trying to digest new food, constipation can cause abdominal pain.
Stress: Prolonged stress or anxiety can lead to stomach pain or discomfort.
Hypertension medication: Medication for high blood pressure may cause side effects such as constipation and occasional stomach pain. If you experience these side effects, consult your doctor about switching to an alternative medication.
Celiac disease (gluten intolerance): Celiac disease is an immune reaction to gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. Gluten damages the small intestine’s lining in people with this disease, causing stomach pain and potentially leading to other severe complications.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): GERD is a chronic digestive disorder where stomach acid flows back into the esophagus. This acid reflux irritates the esophageal lining and causes stomach pain, along with other gastric injuries.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): IBS, also known as spastic colon, is a common chronic condition affecting the large intestine. It can be caused by various factors such as prolonged stress, misuse of diarrhea or constipation medication, and poor food hygiene. Symptoms include abdominal cramps in the morning, nausea, bloating, diarrhea, and constipation. Medical advice should be sought for pain caused by this syndrome, and a long-term treatment plan should be followed.
Crohn’s disease: Crohn’s disease is a serious, chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It causes inflammation in different parts of the digestive tract, leading to severe pain, diarrhea, and bloody stools, among other symptoms. This condition is severe and can have life-threatening complications.
Stomach ulcers: Stomach ulcers are sores that develop in the stomach’s lining and the upper part of the small intestine (duodenum). The most common symptom of ulcers is a burning stomach pain, which can be aggravated by consuming salty or spicy foods.
Gallstones: Gallstones can cause sudden, sharp pain after a meal.
Overactive thyroid: An overactive thyroid can lead to medical issues affecting bones, muscles, and the heart. One symptom of an overactive thyroid is stomach pain and diarrhea. Other symptoms include insomnia, weight loss, and a rapid heartbeat.
Potential stomach cancer risk: If you experience prolonged abdominal pain without relief and also have diarrhea, blood in your stool, mild fever, and weight loss, it is crucial to seek medical attention as these could be signs of stomach cancer.
Other factors: Sudden changes in weather, extreme heat or cold, stress, and anxiety can negatively affect the intestinal nerves and cause abdominal pain and diarrhea after breakfast.
2. Remedies
Simple Tips
Apply heat: Applying heat to the abdomen with a hot water bottle, hot water bag, or warm towel after a meal can reduce intestinal contractions.
Drink ginger tea: Use a few slices of ginger, infuse with 100ml of hot water for 5 minutes, and sip slowly to reduce pain. Alternatively, crush ginger and rub it on the abdomen, gently massaging in a clockwise direction. The ginger essence will penetrate and warm the abdomen, providing quick relief from pain within 5-7 minutes.
Drink chamomile tea: Infuse 1 teaspoon of chamomile with boiling water for 15 minutes, then drink. Chamomile has antispasmodic properties and is effective in reducing abdominal pain and improving irritable bowel syndrome.
Use cinnamon and cloves: This remedy is especially beneficial for those with diarrhea symptoms. Lightly roast a small amount of rice and cook it with one carrot, cut into small pieces, and a few cloves. Drink the water several times a day until it is gone.
Use Vối leaves: Vối leaves contain tannins, which have antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and digestive stimulation properties. To treat abdominal pain after breakfast, prepare three vối leaves, 8g of bumpy papaya skin, and 10g of banana flower pistils. Chop the ingredients finely, dry them, and decoct them with 400ml of water to obtain about 100ml of liquid. Drink this infusion twice a day for 2-3 days to effectively reduce pain.
Establish a Healthy Breakfast and Exercise Routine
For breakfast, choose carbohydrate-rich foods and avoid high-fiber options. Examples include rice, boiled potatoes, baked sweet potatoes, and porridge.
Do not drink milk on an empty stomach.
Avoid stomach-irritating spices such as chili, pepper, wasabi, and alcoholic or carbonated beverages for breakfast, as they can irritate the stomach and cause pain and diarrhea.
Practice good food hygiene: Eat only well-cooked food (including vegetables in the morning) and avoid raw meat dishes.
Limit coffee and tea consumption before breakfast. Instead, opt for decaffeinated tea and coffee or warm water with a slice of lemon for a healthy detox.
Choose fresh, high-quality food with clear origins. Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly and let them air dry before consumption.
Stay hydrated.
Reduce consumption of oily, fatty, and alcoholic beverages, especially if you have IBS.
Supplement with probiotics to promote a healthy balance of gut bacteria and improve digestion.
Avoid prolonged stress and anxiety and limit alcohol consumption.
Do not exercise vigorously after eating. Instead, engage in moderate physical activity.
Most cases of abdominal pain and diarrhea after breakfast are related to food and are not dangerous. However, if you frequently experience severe abdominal cramps and unusual symptoms such as high fever, dark-colored stools, or dehydration, seek medical advice immediately to identify any underlying conditions and receive timely treatment.
We hope you now understand this issue better. Stay tuned for more informative articles on health and wellness!
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