What are the most common types of eating disorders. How can you recognize the signs and symptoms of different eating disorders. What factors contribute to the development of eating disorders. Who is most at risk for developing an eating disorder.

Understanding Eating Disorders: An Overview

Eating disorders are complex mental health conditions characterized by abnormal or disrupted eating patterns. They can affect individuals of any weight, gender, or age, though they often develop during adolescence or early adulthood. The National Eating Disorders Association estimates that 30 million Americans will experience an eating disorder in their lifetime, with women being disproportionately affected.

While the exact causes remain unclear, experts believe that a combination of sociocultural, biological, and psychological factors contribute to the development of eating disorders. These conditions can have severe physical and emotional consequences, making early recognition and intervention crucial.

Bulimia Nervosa: Binge Eating and Purging Cycles

Bulimia nervosa, commonly known as bulimia, is one of the most prevalent eating disorders. It typically emerges during adolescence or early adulthood and is more common among women than men. The disorder is characterized by recurring episodes of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors to prevent weight gain.

Key Characteristics of Bulimia Nervosa

• Recurrent episodes of binge eating
• A sense of lack of control during binges
• Compensatory behaviors to prevent weight gain (e.g., self-induced vomiting, laxative abuse)
• Excessive concern with body shape and weight
• Frequent fluctuations in weight

How does bulimia affect physical health? The cycle of binging and purging can lead to numerous health complications, including:

• Electrolyte imbalances
• Dental erosion
• Gastrointestinal problems
• Cardiac arrhythmias
• Dehydration

Anorexia Nervosa: Extreme Weight Loss and Fear of Gaining Weight

Anorexia nervosa is perhaps the most well-known eating disorder, characterized by extreme weight loss, intense fear of gaining weight, and distorted body image. Like bulimia, it typically develops during adolescence or early adulthood and affects more women than men.

Two Subtypes of Anorexia Nervosa

1. Restricting type: Individuals limit their food intake through dieting, fasting, or excessive exercise.
2. Binge-eating/purging type: People engage in binge eating followed by purging behaviors.

What are the physical signs of anorexia nervosa? Some common indicators include:

• Significant weight loss
• Fatigue and weakness
• Thinning hair
• Growth of fine hair all over the body (lanugo)
• Dry, yellowish skin
• Irregular menstrual cycles in females

Binge Eating Disorder: Compulsive Overeating Without Purging

Binge eating disorder (BED) is characterized by recurrent episodes of consuming large quantities of food in a short period, often to the point of discomfort. Unlike bulimia, individuals with BED do not engage in compensatory behaviors after binging.

Is binge eating disorder more common in certain demographics? Research suggests that BED is more prevalent among males and older adults compared to other eating disorders. It’s also the most common eating disorder in the United States.

Signs and Symptoms of Binge Eating Disorder

• Eating large amounts of food rapidly, often in secret
• Feeling a lack of control during binge episodes
• Eating when not physically hungry
• Feeling ashamed, disgusted, or guilty after binging
• No regular use of purging behaviors

Rumination Disorder: Regurgitation and Re-chewing of Food

Rumination disorder is a lesser-known eating disorder characterized by the regular regurgitation of food after meals. The regurgitated food may be re-chewed, re-swallowed, or spit out. This behavior is not due to a medical condition or another eating disorder.

When does rumination disorder typically begin? While it can occur at any age, rumination disorder often starts in infancy or early childhood. In some cases, it may develop in response to a physical illness, injury, or psychological distress.

Key Features of Rumination Disorder

• Repeated regurgitation of food
• Regurgitation occurs within 15-30 minutes after eating
• The behavior is not due to a medical condition
• In infants, it may lead to failure to thrive

Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID): Beyond Picky Eating

Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) is an eating disorder characterized by highly selective eating habits, disturbed feeding patterns, or both. Unlike anorexia and bulimia, ARFID does not involve distress about body shape or size.

How does ARFID differ from typical “picky eating”? While picky eating is common in children and often resolved with age, ARFID is more severe and can lead to significant nutritional deficiencies, weight loss, and impaired psychosocial functioning.

Common Presentations of ARFID

• Extreme food selectivity based on sensory characteristics
• Fear of adverse consequences from eating, such as choking or vomiting
• Lack of interest in eating or food
• Nutritional deficiencies due to limited food intake
• Dependence on nutritional supplements

Orthorexia: When Healthy Eating Becomes an Obsession

Orthorexia, while not officially recognized as a distinct eating disorder in the DSM-5, is a term used to describe an unhealthy obsession with eating “pure” or “healthy” foods. This preoccupation can lead to restrictive eating patterns and significant distress.

Can orthorexia be as dangerous as other eating disorders? Yes, despite its focus on “healthy” eating, orthorexia can lead to malnutrition, social isolation, and severe anxiety about food choices. It can be just as detrimental to physical and mental health as other recognized eating disorders.

Signs of Orthorexia

• Obsessive concern over the relationship between food choices and health concerns
• Increasing restriction of food groups deemed “unhealthy” or “impure”
• Unusual interest in the health of what others are eating
• Spending excessive amounts of time thinking about food
• Feelings of guilt when deviating from strict diet standards
• Social isolation due to rigid eating patterns

Recognizing the Warning Signs: When to Seek Help

Eating disorders can have severe consequences on physical and mental health if left untreated. Recognizing the early warning signs is crucial for timely intervention and successful treatment.

What are some general warning signs of an eating disorder? While specific symptoms may vary depending on the type of eating disorder, some common red flags include:

• Dramatic weight loss or frequent weight fluctuations
• Preoccupation with weight, food, calories, and dieting
• Refusal to eat certain foods or entire categories of food
• Food rituals (e.g., excessive chewing, not allowing foods to touch)
• Withdrawal from usual friends and activities
• Evidence of binge eating, such as disappearance of large amounts of food
• Evidence of purging behaviors, including frequent trips to the bathroom after meals
• Excessive exercise regimen, despite weather, fatigue, illness, or injury
• Unusual swelling of the cheeks or jaw area
• Calluses on the back of the hands and knuckles from self-induced vomiting
• Discoloration or staining of the teeth
• Use of laxatives, diuretics, or diet pills

If you or someone you know is exhibiting these signs, it’s important to seek professional help. Early intervention can significantly improve the chances of recovery and reduce the risk of long-term health complications.

Treatment Options for Eating Disorders

Treating eating disorders often requires a multidisciplinary approach, combining medical care, nutritional counseling, and psychological interventions. The specific treatment plan will depend on the type and severity of the eating disorder, as well as any co-occurring mental health conditions.

What are the main components of eating disorder treatment? Most comprehensive treatment plans include:

1. Medical care to address physical health issues
2. Nutritional counseling to establish healthy eating patterns
3. Psychotherapy, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) or Family-Based Treatment (FBT)
4. Medication, when appropriate, to address co-occurring conditions like depression or anxiety
5. Support groups to provide peer support and reduce feelings of isolation

Levels of Care in Eating Disorder Treatment

Depending on the severity of the eating disorder, treatment may be provided at different levels of care:

• Outpatient treatment: Regular appointments with a treatment team while living at home
• Intensive outpatient programs (IOP): More frequent treatment sessions, typically several times a week
• Partial hospitalization programs (PHP): Daily treatment while living at home
• Residential treatment: 24-hour care in a specialized facility
• Inpatient hospitalization: Acute care for medical stabilization

The appropriate level of care is determined based on medical stability, suicidality, body weight, co-occurring conditions, and the ability to function in daily life.

Prevention and Early Intervention Strategies

While it’s not always possible to prevent eating disorders, there are strategies that can help reduce the risk and promote early intervention. These approaches focus on fostering a healthy relationship with food and body image, as well as addressing underlying mental health concerns.

How can we promote healthy attitudes towards food and body image? Some effective strategies include:

• Encouraging balanced, flexible eating habits rather than restrictive diets
• Promoting body acceptance and diversity
• Teaching media literacy to combat unrealistic body ideals
• Fostering self-esteem based on personal qualities rather than appearance
• Encouraging open communication about emotions and stress management
• Providing education about the dangers of disordered eating
• Promoting regular, enjoyable physical activity for health rather than weight control

The Role of Schools and Communities

Schools and communities play a crucial role in eating disorder prevention and early intervention. Some effective initiatives include:

• Implementing body-positive health education curricula
• Training teachers and staff to recognize early warning signs of eating disorders
• Offering confidential screening programs
• Providing resources and referrals for professional help
• Creating a supportive environment that discourages weight stigma and body shaming

By combining individual, family, and community-level approaches, we can work towards reducing the prevalence of eating disorders and ensuring that those affected receive timely and effective treatment.

Types of eating disorder: Do I have one?

An eating disorder can affect almost anyone, regardless of whether they are underweight or overweight. Eating disorder is a term that covers a range of conditions involving abnormal or disrupted eating.

According to the National Eating Disorders Association, an estimated 10 million men and 20 million women living in the United States will develop an eating disorder during their lifetime.

The exact cause of eating disorders remains unclear. However, experts believe that sociocultural, biological, and psychological factors all play a role in their development.

Many people may think of anorexia or bulimia when they think of eating disorders. Although these disorders are the most common, there are several other types. Read on to find out more.

Below, we provide information on some of the most common eating disorders, including their typical signs and symptoms.

Share on PinterestSociocultural, biological, and psychological factors may all contribute to an eating disorder.

Bulimia nervosa, which most people refer to as bulimia, is a condition that typically develops during adolescence or early adulthood. According to a 2016 study, bulimia is more common among women than men.

Individuals with bulimia tend to eat large quantities of food very quickly, which people often call “binge eating” or a “binge.”

After binge eating, a person with bulimia typically takes steps to purge their body of the extra calories. Common purging methods include:

• self-induced vomiting
• taking diuretics
• taking laxatives

Not everyone with bulimia will use these methods of purging. Some people try to counter the high calorie intake by fasting or doing excessive amounts of exercise.

Signs and symptoms

The characteristics of bulimia include the following thoughts, feelings, and behaviors:

• an obsession with body weight and size
• repeat binging episodes that accompany a sense of loss of control
• purging episodes to prevent weight gain
• a general fear of gaining weight

Some people with bulimia lose weight, but others maintain their body weight. In either case, a person may develop the following side effects:

• acid reflux
• a sore or inflamed throat
• tooth decay
• severe dehydration
• electrolyte imbalances that can lead to stroke or heart attack

Anorexia nervosa, or anorexia, is one of the more well-known eating disorders.

As with bulimia, anorexia tends to develop in adolescence or early adulthood, and it is more common among women than men.

There are two recognized subtypes of anorexia:

Binge eating and purging type: A person with this type of anorexia typically purges after eating. They may sometimes eat large amounts of food. Alternatively, the person might engage in excessive exercise to burn off the calories that they have consumed.

Restricting type: People with this type of anorexia do not binge eat. Instead, they turn to dieting, fasting, or overexercising in an effort to lose weight.

Signs and symptoms

Typical signs and symptoms of anorexia include:

• very restricted eating habits
• being underweight compared with others of a similar height and age
• a fear of gaining weight, even when already underweight
• an obsession with being thinner
• a distorted view of the body
• basing self-esteem on body weight or shape
• the avoidance of eating in public or with others
• obsessive-compulsive tendencies, in some people

Share on PinterestA person with binge eating disorder may feel a lack of control when eating.

Similar to bulimia or the binge eating type of anorexia, people with binge eating disorder typically consume a large amount of food very quickly. However, they do not restrict their calorie intake at other times or purge the excess food that they consume.

Binge eating carries the risk of weight gain, and many people with binge eating disorder are overweight or have obesity.

According to a 2012 review, binge eating is more common among males and older adults than other eating disorders.

Signs and symptoms

A person may have binge eating disorder if they:

• feel a lack of control when eating
• feel shame or disgust when thinking about their binge eating
• consume food in private

Rumination disorder is a condition in which a person regurgitates partially digested food and chews it again before either swallowing it or spitting it out. According to the Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center, rumination occurs within 15–30 minutes of swallowing food.

Unlike self-induced purging, rumination is an involuntary reaction. The first episode typically begins in response to illness, physical injury, or psychological distress. Under these conditions, food regurgitation may provide the person with some relief. After the physical illness or injury has passed, the person’s body may continue to regurgitate food as a response to discomfort.

Rumination disorder can start as early as infancy. Infants who develop rumination often get better without treatment. However, persistent rumination can lead to potentially fatal malnourishment.

Rumination in older children and adults typically requires psychological treatment.

Signs and symptoms

A person with this disorder may experience the following symptoms shortly before regurgitating food:

• nausea
• a need to burp
• a feeling of pressure or discomfort

Other symptoms of rumination may include:

• bloating
• heartburn
• abdominal pain
• diarrhea
• constipation
• electrolyte imbalance
• headaches
• dizziness
• sleeping difficulties
• weight loss
• malnourishment

People with pica crave and consume nonfood items. Examples of such items include:

• soil
• chalk
• brick
• stone
• soap
• laundry detergent
• hair
• wool
• paper
• cloth

Pica can start in childhood or adulthood. According to one study, the disorder occurs most frequently in the following people:

• pregnant women
• children who are deficient in iron and zinc
• people with intellectual disabilities

Pica can cause serious and potentially life threatening complications. Examples include:

• stomach irritation
• injury to the digestive tract
• malnutrition
• poisoning

Avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), which people previously called selective eating disorder, is similar to anorexia in that it involves restricting calorie consumption.

Unlike anorexia, however, a person with ARFID does not obsess about their body size or weight gain. The condition can occur due to a lack of interest in eating, or a person may avoid eating because of the sensory characteristics of food.

ARFID can occur at any age. It may be more difficult to detect in children, who are often fussy eaters. However, a child with ARFID may have delayed growth and development.

An adult with ARFID may experience weight loss and malnourishment. In some cases, people do not consume enough calories and nutrients to support their essential body functions.

Signs and symptoms

Some signs and symptoms of ARFID include:

• significant weight loss
• stunted growth (in children)
• severe nutrient deficiencies
• a dependence on oral nutritional supplements
• considerable interference with social functioning

Some eating disorders that scientific literature reports on are less common or do not have formal recognition. Examples include:

• Orthorexia: the primary characteristic of this eating disturbance is an obsession with eating healthful foods. Healthcare professionals do not recognize it as an official condition.
• Other specified feeding or eating disorder (OSFED): a person with OSFED has some of the signs and symptoms of bulimia or anorexia but does not meet the diagnostic criteria for either condition.
• Unspecified feeding or eating disorder (UFED): a condition in which a person does not meet the criteria for any particular eating disorder but presents with similar symptoms and psychological distress.
• Laxative abuse: though not technically an eating disorder, laxative abuse involves the excessive use of laxatives to lose weight and become thinner.
• Excessive exercise: people may do an excessive amount of exercise to burn calories and achieve unhealthy weight loss.

Share on PinterestPsychotherapy may benefit people with eating disorders.

People should seek treatment for eating disorders as soon as possible. Eating disorders increase the risk of both physical health complications and psychological disorders, such as depression and anxiety.

The type of eating disorder that a person has will determine the treatment. In general, people usually receive one or more of the following treatments:

• psychotherapy, which may involve family counseling or cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
• medications, such as antidepressants, antipsychotics, and mood stabilizers
• nutritional counseling
• medical care and monitoring

If a person suspects that a loved one has an eating disorder, they should encourage them to speak to their doctor. A doctor may refer the person for psychotherapy or psychiatric treatment. They may also make a referral for care at a specialist center for eating disorders.

Eating disorders are common among people living in the U.S. Familiarity with the symptoms can help people recognize the disorders in themselves and others.

Ideally, eating disorders require early treatment to prevent health complications and additional psychological issues.

People who suspect that they have an eating disorder should see their doctor, who will be able to direct them to the appropriate healthcare services. In many cases, the right treatment can help people make a full recovery.

Here’s What You Should Know About the Causes Chronic Nausea

Most of us have felt nauseated for various reasons, including riding on a roller coaster, car sickness, hangover, pregnancy, or even flying on an airplane. Despite the situation, we all know that nausea is such an unsettling feeling. Nausea is a feeling of discomfort in the stomach that makes an individual feel as though they’re going or need to vomit. However, it doesn’t mean you have to vomit when feeling nauseated.

Nausea isn’t considered a condition by itself. It’s rather a symptom of an underlying condition within the body, such as early-stage pregnancy and infections or a side effect of some medications. It ranges from strong, where an individual feels like they could vomit anytime, to a mild stomach upset. We can also classify nausea as acute or chronic, depending on the severity and how long it lasts.

Acute nausea is mild and might be a result of a condition that comes suddenly like trauma, food poisoning, car sickness, migraines, overeating, gastroenteritis, hangover, or stomach flu.

According to the American Family Physician, acute nausea lasts less than a month. Chronic nausea, on the other hand, is somehow severe and might last more than a month.

Please read on to learn more about the signs and causes of chronic nausea. But first, let’s look at the signs and symptoms of nausea.

Signs of Nausea

As mentioned earlier, nausea isn’t considered a condition or disease itself but a symptom of an underlying condition(s). While vomiting is one of the most common and notable signs of nausea, individuals with nausea are also likely to experience the following;

• Dizziness and light-headedness
• Rapid heartbeat
• Stomach ache
• Skin temperature changes
• Retching
• Increase saliva production
• Difficulty swallowing
• An uncomfortable feeling in the chest, upper abdomen, or back of your throat

If you have constant nausea, it’s advisable to visit your doctor or gastroenterologist to determine the cause and thus find a solution.

What Is Chronic Nausea?

Chronic or constant nausea lasts longer than a month and could signify a severe condition in your body. It may come and go, may come and go periodically, be mild or severe, or be present almost all the time.

Diagnosing the cause(s) of constant nausea isn’t easy. However, your physician can look at the accompanying symptoms and how they vary. Below are some common causes (gastrointestinal tract complications) of chronic nausea that might necessitate you to seek the help of a gastroenterologist.

1. Peptic Ulcers

Peptic ulcers are characterized by open sores on the inside lining of your stomach (gastric ulcers) and the upper part of the small intestines or duodenum (duodenal ulcers). Individuals with peptic ulcers are likely to experience stomach pain due accumulation of stomach acid, which can cause you to feel nauseated. Nausea is one of the common symptoms of peptic ulcers.

The bacterium Helicobacter pylori, commonly referred to as H. pylori, is the most common cause of peptic ulcers. Another common cause is the long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). However, it’s worth noting that stress and spicy foods don’t cause peptic ulcers, contrary to popular opinion. They can only worsen the symptoms.

Peptic ulcers can cause nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, burning stomach sensation, belching, and bloating. Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics to help alleviate the symptoms.

2. Gastroparesis

Gastroparesis is a digestive condition that affects normal stomach muscle movements. It affects the vagus nerve that controls your stomach muscle and lowers stomach muscle contractions, preventing your stomach from emptying properly.

Some causes and risk factors of gastroparesis include diabetes medication, virus infections, opioids, scleroderma, hyperthyroidism, and nervous system complications like Parkinson’s disease. If you have gastroparesis, you’re likely to experience:

• Weight loss
• Stomach pain
• Acid reflux
• Appetite loss

3. Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), such as Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and indeterminate colitis, cause inflammation in various parts of the digestive tract and are closely associated with nausea. IBS changes or disturbs bowel function that can cause abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, and bloating, leaving you nauseous for a long time.

Once you visit your doctor, they’ll determine the cause(s) of it before recommending a treatment method. They might also include a treatment option for the inflammation caused by the IBD.

4. Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), also referred to as the spastic or irritable colon, is a functional gastrointestinal (GI) disorder that affects the large intestine. Some common signs and symptoms of IBS include abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, cramping, and excessive gas.

Family history of IBS, food intolerance, emotional stress, anxiety, and history of sexual or physical abuse are some IBS risk factors. While the exact causes of IBS are unknown, some common factors that can lead to IBS include dysmotility, visceral hypersensitivity, and brain-gut dysfunction.

The signs and symptoms of IBS are associated with chronic nausea. If you identify any of these signs, it’s advisable to seek help as soon as you can.

5. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is a digestive disorder that weakens or causes the over-relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), the muscle ring between your esophagus and stomach. When this happens, stomach contents come back into the esophagus, causing heartburn, regurgitation, acid reflux, indigestion, and nausea. If GERD goes untreated for long, it can cause chronic nausea.

The symptoms are likely to worsen after your meals or during sleep. You’re likely to have it all the time, especially as acid backs up into your throat. Luckily, GERD is treatable with OTC or prescription drugs. Changing your lifestyle, like losing weight and avoiding GERD triggers, can also help.   However, visiting your doctor for a more conclusive diagnosis is advisable to determine the cause and put you under the appropriate treatment.

Other gastrointestinal conditions that might cause chronic nausea include:

• Pancreatitis
• Gallstones
• Hepatitis
• Celiac disease
• Intestinal obstruction

What to Do if You Are Experiencing Chronic Nausea

Chronic nausea is uncomfortable and can lead to more complications, harming your gastrointestinal tract if it goes unchecked. Once you notice any signs of it, the next best step is to schedule a session with your physician or gastroenterologist as soon as possible to avoid further difficulties.

At Shore Gastroenterology Associates, we care about your gastrointestinal wellbeing. We offer a range of cutting-edge treatments for various gastrointestinal conditions and diseases to give you the diagnosis and relief you deserve. Our highly skilled gastroenterologists are always ready to provide you with the best care and get your health back as soon as possible.

Please don’t hesitate to contact us today for inquiries or to schedule a consultation.

Nausea after eating – causes, diagnosis, treatment in St. Petersburg | Medical Center

Multidisciplinary Medical Center MedProsvet
St. Petersburg, Engels Ave. 147 building 1
+7 (812) 374-84-00

Nausea is one of the most common medical symptoms that occurs periodically in every person. Occasionally, it has physiological causes: it develops when overeating, when shaking on the way and riding on carousels immediately after eating. The feeling of nausea after eating is typical for pregnant women, especially in the first trimester. If the unpleasant sensations are often repeated, do not go away for a long time and cause serious discomfort, it is worth thinking about the state of health.

Why you feel sick after eating – typical causes

The most common causes of a pathological symptom are diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Pathophysiologically, the feeling of nausea is associated with the upper gastrointestinal tract, so most often this symptom indicates diseases of the stomach and duodenum. Unpleasant sensations are often associated with disorders of the liver, gallbladder, pancreas.

Depending on the affected organ and the type of disease, the symptoms will vary:

1. Chronic gastritis with high acidity can cause nausea, heartburn, and belching.
2. Food poisoning causes severe nausea shortly after eating poor quality food. The patient vomits several times, abdominal cramps, frequent loose stools and other typical signs of poisoning are possible.
3. Gastritis with reduced acidity is manifested by prolonged and painful nausea, which is accompanied by heaviness in the abdomen, a feeling of early satiety, and a decrease in appetite. With hyperacid gastritis, patients suffer from heartburn, acid belching.
4. Pyloric stenosis is manifested by nausea and vomiting after any meal, even in small quantities. After the relief of the stomach, patients feel better, heaviness in the abdomen decreases or completely disappears.
5. Malignant tumors of the stomach are characterized by long-term nausea, which occurs without regard to the amount and nature of the food eaten. At the same time, a person loses his appetite, rapidly losing weight, feels disgust for meat products.
6. Helminthiases disrupt the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, so patients often feel sick after eating. Parasitosis also provoke heaviness in the abdomen, rumbling in the intestines, bloating, loose stools.
7. Hepatobiliary pathology causes nausea immediately after fatty foods: fried meat, creamy and oil sauces, pastries with creams. Patients complain of bitter belching, heaviness and discomfort in the right hypochondrium, periodic stool disorders with alternating constipation and diarrhea.
8. Chronic pancreatitis is accompanied by nausea when eating fatty and heavy foods, violating the diet prescribed by the doctor, and drinking alcohol. A characteristic sign of the disease is a plentiful and fetid stool with particles of undigested food.

With all of the above diseases, except for intestinal infections, nausea occurs periodically for many weeks and even months. If the patient does not go to the doctor, the disease can progress: stool disorders, severe abdominal pain, flatulence, repeated vomiting, including blood impurities, join the unpleasant symptoms.

Other causes of nausea and heaviness after eating

Nausea after eating is more often associated with gastroenterological pathology, but this symptom may indicate a general disorder in the body. In such cases, nausea worries the patient not only during and after eating, but also at other hours, especially in the evenings, during physical exertion, in the morning immediately after waking up.

Atypical reasons why you constantly feel sick after eating:

• disturbances in the functioning of the vestibular apparatus;
• chronic headaches that are aggravated by the intake of spicy foods, sweets, coffee and strong tea;
• diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism and other endocrine diseases accompanied by metabolic disorders;
• hypertension;
• menopause in women.

Occasionally, unpleasant symptoms are provoked by drugs. Nausea is one of the side effects of many medications, but most often it occurs when taking antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, vitamins, and iron supplements. The likelihood of abdominal discomfort increases if the patient is self-medicating, taking several medications or dietary supplements at the same time.

What to do if you feel sick all the time after eating

There are dozens of different reasons listed above that can cause nausea, so it is obvious that the patient cannot figure out the problem on his own. If nausea is not associated with a one-time overeating or alcohol abuse, you should consult a doctor for a complete examination of the body. The primary consultation is carried out by a therapist or gastroenterologist, if necessary, specialists give a referral to an endocrinologist, neurologist and other doctors.

Diagnosis begins with a detailed collection of complaints and medical history. The doctor asks how long the symptoms have been on, whether they are related to the type and amount of food eaten, whether vomiting occurs, and what the vomit looks like. The doctor is interested in the patient’s living and working conditions, the history of travel to exotic countries over the past six months, the presence of chronic diseases. Next, the doctor conducts a physical examination of the skin and mucous membranes, palpates the abdomen, measures blood pressure, listens to the lungs.

The second stage of diagnostics includes instrumental and laboratory tests:

• Ultrasound of the abdominal organs is a quick and non-invasive examination method that is performed at the initial appointment with a gastroenterologist, allowing to identify typical problems with the digestive organs;
• blood biochemistry (ALT, AST, bilirubin, creatinine, cholesterol, gamma-HT, pancreatic amylase, etc.) – the analysis shows signs of disturbances in the functioning of the liver, pancreas, kidneys and other organs, therefore it is prescribed to all patients who are very sick after eating ;
• coprogram – a study of a stool sample shows how well digestive enzymes work, helps in the diagnosis of pathologies of the liver and pancreas.

If the standard diagnostic methods do not give the doctor complete information, the patient is sent for an extended examination. A highly informative way to study the initial sections of the gastrointestinal tract is endoscopy (gastroscopy – FGDS). The procedure causes discomfort, but it allows you to examine the mucous membrane of the esophagus, stomach and duodenum, therefore it plays a key role in the diagnosis. According to indications, computed or magnetic resonance imaging of the abdominal organs is prescribed.

A common cause of gastritis is Helicobacter pylori infection, so patients undergo comprehensive testing for a specific pathogen. To detect H. pylori invasion in the stomach, perform:

• stool antigen testing,
• sample with a biopsy of the gastric mucosa,
• urease breath test,
• blood tests for antibodies.

Therapies

Eating modifications can help manage mild nausea after eating. Patients are advised to increase the frequency of meals and reduce single portions so as not to irritate the stomach receptors and not cause nausea. Easily digestible food, thermally processed vegetables and fruits, sour-milk products, cereals and soups are added to the diet. Meat and fish dishes are an important part of the diet, but they should be prepared with a minimum amount of fat: use baking, stewing, cooking in a slow cooker.

In case of gastroenterological pathology, sweet pastries with creams, fast food, dishes with a large amount of animal fats are excluded from the diet or maximally limited. It is also worth limiting the consumption of coffee and strong tea, so as not to irritate the stomach.

After eating, you should not immediately start physical work, but it is also not recommended to take a horizontal position. A light walk has a positive effect on digestion.

There are no specific drugs for the treatment of nausea after eating. Pharmacocorrection is aimed at eliminating the underlying pathology that caused discomfort in the patient. Medications may include the following medications:

• antacids are drugs aimed at reducing the acidity of gastric juice.
• prokinetics – tablets improve gastrointestinal motility and promote the movement of food from the stomach into the duodenum, so after taking them, heaviness and nausea disappear;
• antisecretory drugs – drugs are prescribed for hyperacid gastritis and ulcerative defects of the gastric mucosa to reduce the production of hydrochloric acid;
• antihistamines – medicines cope well with nausea due to food allergies;
• sedatives – drugs used to correct nausea caused by vestibular disorders and other extraintestinal causes;
• antibiotics – drugs are prescribed in the scheme of eradication therapy for Helicobacter pylori infection.

These preparations are selected by the doctor after examination and diagnosis. Self-treatment attempts are fraught with the progression of the underlying disease, the development of complications that will require long-term hospital treatment in the future. Therefore, the first step in the fight against nausea after eating is a visit to the doctor, who will tell you what to do next.

In the clinic “MedProsvet” you can get qualified assistance from a specialized specialist. The doctor will conduct a comprehensive examination, establish a diagnosis and select an effective treatment regimen. You can make an appointment by phone +7 (812) 374-84-00 or by leaving a request for an appointment on the website!

causes, treatment, prevention. How to get rid of nausea?

Nausea is a subjective symptom of an unpleasant sensation of an impending need to vomit ¹ . Discomfort is localized in the stomach and throat and is often accompanied by weakness, increased salivation and the urge to vomit.

Causes of nausea

Nausea is a symptom inherent in various pathological conditions. The most common of them are:

• food poisoning;
• rotavirus infections;
• side effects from taking drugs;
• pregnancy;
• chronic gastritis, gastroesophageal reflux;
• cholelithiasis, biliary dyskinesia, hepatitis;
• overeating;
• endocrinological diseases: diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism;
• neurological disorders: migraine, epilepsy;
• diseases of the cardiovascular system, arterial hypertension.

Nausea treatment

Nausea treatment will depend on the cause. Most often, this unpleasant symptom can be dealt with by improvised means. If nausea is persistent, does not go away for a long time, or is associated with any disease, then the doctor may prescribe medication.

Tablets

Quite often, pregnant women experience nausea. This is one of the signs of toxicosis that occurs in the first trimester of pregnancy and in some cases continues until the 3rd trimester ² . In addition to diet and vitamin therapy, medications are used to treat severe forms of toxicosis. It is important to remember that the choice of drugs should be entrusted only to a specialist, especially in such a delicate situation.

If nausea is caused by motion sickness or motion sickness, antihistamines such as those based on dimenhydrinate are used. With nausea associated with disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, drugs are used that improve the motility of the stomach and intestines, and contribute to the rapid digestion of food.

For nausea caused by neurological problems, your doctor may prescribe sedatives and tranquilizers.

– If nausea does not go away, or if it bothers you frequently, you should see a doctor for an examination. Drugs for nausea can only be prescribed by a doctor after taking anamnesis and examination, says general practitioner Oksana Khamitseva .

Folk remedies

Most often, you can get rid of nausea with the help of simple actions. It is necessary to take a half-sitting position, reduce movements to a minimum, open a window or put a fan nearby, breathe deeply and try to distract yourself from discomfort. Tea with mint, ginger helps to fight nausea ³ or chamomile, mineral water, such as Essentuki or Borjomi, or lozenges.

Prevention

According to Oksana Khamitseva, general practitioner, it is quite difficult to prevent nausea because its causes are very diverse. However, conditions that cause this symptom can be avoided:

• do not overeat;
• do not eat heavy, fatty, spicy foods, especially if you have gastrointestinal diseases;
• drink enough liquid per day;
• check the expiration dates of the products used;
• monitor blood pressure, blood sugar levels in the presence of relevant diseases.

Popular questions and answers

General practitioner Oksana Khamitseva answers popular questions related to nausea.

Why is nausea dangerous?

– Nausea can be a symptom of poisoning and infection, which if left untreated will lead to severe intoxication, including multiple organ failure and death.

Nausea can also be a sign of a chronic disease that will progress if ignored. And sooner or later, a person will no longer have to make an appointment with a doctor, but call an ambulance.

When to call a doctor for nausea?

– If nausea is accompanied by chest pain and shortness of breath, it may be a heart attack. If nausea is accompanied by black vomiting (“coffee grounds”), then this may be a perforation of a stomach or duodenal ulcer. In these cases, you must immediately call an ambulance.

If nausea is accompanied by vomiting, high fever, severe pain, then you need to call a doctor at home.

If nausea bothers you for a long time, then it is still worth starting with a therapist. He will conduct all the necessary examinations and redirect to a narrow specialist if necessary.

Is it possible to get rid of nausea with folk remedies?

– There are an unprecedented number of tips to get rid of nausea: brewed dill, anise, mint, fennel, green tea, and suck on a slice of lemon or a piece of ginger, and do acupressure. Here, as they say, no matter what the child would amuse. But it is worthwhile to understand that folk remedies are only symptomatic relief, but not a cure. And using them, ignoring going to the doctor, is not the best idea.

Sources:

1. Novikova VP et al. Functional nausea and vomiting in children // Questions of pediatric dietology. – 2020. – T. 18. – No. 4. – S. 36-44. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Anatoly-Khavkin/publication/347677556_Functional_nausea_and_vomiting_in_children/links/5ff3998a92851c13feeb3a86/Functional-nausea-and-vomiting-in-children.pdf
2. Yupatov E.