Medically reviewed and approved by a board-certified member
Acid Reflux / GERD

What's to know about nausea after eating?

BS Media
By BS Media
Published: Thursday, 25 May 2017
Login to get unlimited free access
Be the first to comment!
Table of contents
  1. The digestive system
  2. Causes
  3. Symptoms
  4. When to see a doctor
  5. Treatment
Many people will experience sensitivity of nausea after feeding too much food in one sitting. nevertheless, feeling nauseous after feeding on a regular basis can be related to a variety of conditions.

The conditions that cause nausea after feeding range from mild to severe. This article will outline what these disorders are, how to tell what is causation the nausea, and how to avoid or treat it

How the digestive system works

Food is broken down in the stomach and the intestines.

The digestive system refers to a collection of variety meat that work together to break down food and drink. They digest what is used-up, turning nutrients into energy that the body can use for functioning or store for later use.

The digestion process begins in the mouth, where food is broken down so that it can be engulfed. Food then travels down the food pipe (oesophagus) towards the stomach and intestines.

The digestive juices in the stomach and intestines break down the food for the final time and extract the nutrients. The waste passes into the large intestine for excretion through the anus.

Any problems during this digestive process can cause nausea after feeding.


Sometimes the body reacts to these problems by forcibly voidance the stomach, normally through vomit. The problem can sometimes be best-known by the color of the vomit. For example, a bright yellow or dark green color may indicate a problem in the small intestine.


Causes of how nausea develops after feeding include:


Hormonal changes often occur during gestation, which induce sensitivity of nausea at any time of day, often in the morning.

Some pregnant women will experience nausea before feeding a meal. Others will feel nauseous instantly after feeding. Sometimes this continues throughout the day.

Feelings of nausea will atypically start during the second month of gestation. Nausea during gestation is not harmful to either the baby or mother and will normally resolve by the fourth month of gestation.

Elevated endocrine levels in gestation can cause changes to the digestive system and the body, which means food spends thirster in the stomach and small intestine. It is possible that this may besides contribute to nausea after feeding in gestation.

The endocrines of gestation can relax the connection between the oesophagus and stomach, causation an increase in acid reflux, which can contribute to nausea. A heightened sense of smell during gestation can besides make nausea worse.


Food can become contaminated through not being au gratin thoroughly or stored incorrectly. overwhelming contaminated food can cause food poisoning.

Bacteria (or in some cases, viruses) are normally the cause of contamination. Either can induce sensitivity of nausea inside hours of feeding.

Viral infections of the digestive tract, so much as "stomach flu," can besides cause nausea after feeding.

People can get these viruses from:

  • close contact with some other person septic with the virus
  • feeding contaminated food and drinking water

These viruses are extremely contagious and cause inflammation to the stomach and intestines. They can lead to:

  • fever
  • nausea
  • vomit
  • diarrhea
  • abdominal pain and cramps

Food intolerances or allergies

Some people have an intolerance to certain foods, which means that the body has difficulty digesting them.

Some food intolerances can cause a person to feel nauseous after feeding.

Food intolerances do not involve the immune system but can cause nausea hours after the food is eaten. Common sources of food intolerances include:

  • foods that contain milk sugar, so much as dairy farm products
  • gluten, so much as most grains
  • foods that cause enteric gas, so much as beans or cabbage

Food allergies occur when the body erroneously identifies proteins found in certain foods to be a threat, triggering an immune system response.

Nausea caused by a food allergic reaction can occur seconds or proceedings after feeding. It is often attended by a host of other symptoms, so much as swelling to the face or lip and difficulties breathing or swallowing. These types of reactions are emergencies and require immediate medical attention.

Gastroenteric problems

Nausea after feeding and other gastroenteric problems may occur when an organ inside the digestive system Michigan functioning properly.

For example, internal organ illness (GERD) occurs when the ring of muscle between the oesophagus and stomach malfunctions, causation stomach acid to enter the oesophagus.

GERD causes a burning sensation throughout the oesophagus best-known as pyrosis and may be a cause of nausea after feeding.

The bladder is responsible for cathartic gall to aid in digesting fats. bladder illnesss impair the proper digestion of fats and can cause nausea after feeding meals high in fat.

The exocrine gland releases proteins and endocrines necessary for digestion. If this organ becomes inflamed or battle-scarred, best-known as inflammation, nausea often occurs on with other enteric symptoms and pain.

Irritable intestine syndrome (IBS) is a degenerative condition that can cause bloating and accrued gas. In some people, this can besides lead to nausea after feeding.


Nausea after feeding could besides be a sign of arteries in the intestines narrowing. This narrowing of blood vessels restricts blood flow. Nausea after feeding can be attended by intense stomach striving and may indicate a condition best-known as degenerative peritoneum ischaemia. This condition can suddenly worsen and become life-threatening.

Headache syndromes

Migraines can besides cause nausea after feeding, which can be attended by intense stomach pain, vomit, and dizziness.


In some cases, nausea after feeding can be a warning sign of a heart attack.

Psychiatric or psychological

Anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are the most common feeding disorders characterised by abnormal feeding habits.

Anorexia nervosa can cause nausea due to excess stomach acid or starvation. Bulimia nervosa can cause nausea after feeding from a compulsion to vomit any food used-up.

Anxiety, depression, or intense stress can besides result in a loss of appetency and nausea after feeding.

Motion sickness

Some people are extremely sensitive to particular movements or motion, which can make them feel nauseous. feeding food before or after experiencing motion can intensify nausea in individuals with motion sickness.


Nausea is a common side effect of several medications including antibiotics, pain relief drugs, or therapy drugs. Nausea should subside once the treatment is completed or stopped.


Other symptoms, which cause nausea after feeding that indicate an underlying condition:

Condition Additional symptoms
Food poisoning vomit
stomach pain
loss of appetency
Stomach flu vomit
head and muscle aches
loss of appetency
weight loss
Food intolerance vomit
stomach pain
bloating or gas
Food allergic reaction vomit
stomach pain
skin rashes
swelling - atypically on the face or throat
shortness of breath
hay fever-like symptoms, so much as sneezing
GERD pyrosis
sore throat
bad breath
bloating or gas
difficulty swallowing
degenerative cough
bladder illness vomit
pain, atypically in upper-right abdomen
pale stools
Irritable intestine syndrome diarrhea
stomach pain
Mesenteric ischaemia vomit
bloating or gas
stomach pain
Acute inflammation pain in upper left or middle of the abdomen, often through to the back
abdominal pain after feeding

When to see a doctor

Typically, nausea after feeding is not related to a serious condition. If it continues for more than 5 years or if some of the symptoms mentioned above occur together, people should contact a doctor to rule out an underlying condition.

Children who experience nausea after feeding may need more attention. Contact a doctor if:

A nauseous child may besides exhibit other symptoms that require medical attention.
  • a child under 6 months old is vomit
  • a child over 6 months old is
  • vomit and has a fever over 101.4°F
  • a child has been vomit for more than 8 hours
  • a child vomit blood
  • a child has not produced piss over 8 hours
  • a child is abnormally sleepy
  • a child has had abdominal pain for 2 hours
  • a child has a headache


The causes of nausea are wide ranging. But recording exact times of nausea and food used-up can help a doctor make a diagnosing.

Depending on the unsuspected cause, acquiring a full diagnosing could involve:

  • blood or piss tests
  • skin tests
  • swallowing tests
  • a endoscopy or upper endoscopy
  • a CT scan or MRI of the abdomen


Treatment and outlook will depend on the diagnosing and can vary greatly. For example, people with GERD or pyrosis may need treatment with acid block medication or antibiotics for the stomach bacterium, H. pylori.

People with a history of allergic or intolerant reactions should avoid certain foods. In the case of a stomach virus, people should stay well hydrous and eat bland foods once nausea decreases. More severe conditions, so much as bladder illness, may require surgery.


Some tips that can help to prevent nausea after feeding include:

  • sticking to easy to digest foods, so much as balmy, white rice, or dry toast. Browse cracker products online.
  • limiting feeding when nauseous piece continued to drink
  • ginger may help. Various ginger products are available to purchase online, including ginger ale, ginger gum, or ginger candy
  • avoiding milk or high-fiber foods
  • trying chew gum or suck mints. Different brands are available to buy online.
  • drinking liquids regularly but in small quantities until nausea improves
  • feeding littler, more frequent meals
Was this page helpful?
(0 votes)
What's to know about nausea after eating?
End of the article