The following article was originally published on Honeycombers.
Whether you’re doubling over in pain after a meal or just experiencing waves of pain from time to time, stomachaches can be a sign of health issues. Here are the symptoms to know.
Feeling the need to visit the restroom after each meal? Experiencing levels of discomfort or stomachaches throughout the day? We speak with medical experts from StarMed Specialist Centre to share about the potential issues you may be facing. Now, pain is subjective and it’s difficult to definitively point to what each pain means without a consultation. However, one of StarMed Specialist Centre’s experts has broken down some common pains you should take note of.
1. Pain with a burning sensation
Feeling a burning pain? It’s usually a sign of acid reflux or excess acid. There are over-the-counter medications to alleviate this pain. You could also consider preventative measures like eating sparingly and slowly, and avoiding carbonated drinks.
2. Pain when hungry
If you haven’t eaten all day and you’re feeling pain in your stomach, that may be a symptom of gastric pain. That’s when there’s excess acid in the stomach as no food has been consumed for long hours.
3. Pain after meals
For stomachaches after meals, this may be related to digestive problems. It may also be due to pancreas, gallbladder or bile duct problems.
When should you see a doctor?
If your symptoms are prolonged even after consuming medication, or if the symptoms aren’t responding to treatment and are interfering with daily activities (such as sleeping), that’s the first sign to see a doctor. This is especially important if you have a family history of stomach, pancreas and other types of cancers.
In addition, the experts say there are important red flags that definitely warrant a trip to the doctor’s. These include unexplained weight loss, loss of appetite or inability to finish your usual portion of food and vomiting frequently. Also, be aware of pain in the stomach area that causes you to be incapacitated, black stool or dark blood in stool, or if your food feels stuck in the stomach area for hours and causes pain.
Aside from the above, the doctors share that while it’s normal to have bowel movement after a meal, a normal person should be able to wait easily for five to 10 minutes. If someone feels like they have to go to the bathroom immediately or is faecal incontinent, this signals a potentially serious medical issue.
Whenever you’re in doubt, pay a visit to a professional to get checked out! StarMed Specialist Centre’s gastroenterologists are experienced in investigating various digestive problems and treating different types of cases with minimally invasive surgical techniques such as keyhole surgery, laparoscopy and more endoscopic scopes and colonoscopy. Book an appointment if you suffer from any pain or discomfort – you’ll be in good hands.