Why do I get nauseous when I eat?
In this brief guide, we will address the query, ”Why do I get nauseous when I eat?” We will also discuss the various causes of nausea and how we can prevent it.
Why do I get nauseous when I eat?
The main reasons why you may get nauseous when or after you eat something is due to pregnancy, food poisoning, allergies, gastroesophageal reflux disease, irritable bowel syndrome, and many more. All these conditions may cause nausea or dizziness. Let us discuss them in detail:
Pregnancy
Nausea during pregnancy usually happens when you’re eating your snacks, lunch, dinner or after you’re done eating them. This is because women produce the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) during pregnancy, which causes nausea. Another reason why you get nauseous during pregnancy could be the rise of estrogen or a change in the balance of bacteria in the gut during pregnancy.
Food poisoning
Nausea is the most common symptom of food poisoning. If you feel nauseous, have an upset stomach, or feel like vomiting after eating something, it is most likely due to food poisoning. The foods that cause poisoning are tainted with a virus or bacteria that upset the GI tract, which results in different side effects like nausea and, in some cases, vomiting.
Bacteria that cause food poisoning usually die when exposed to temperatures above 140 degrees Fahrenheit. When you eat foods that are not properly cooked, pre-packaged and raw foods such as salad, and fruits, the risk of food poisoning increases.
Food intolerances or allergies
When you eat something to which you are allergic or intolerant, your immune system responds with chemicals such as immunoglobulin E (IgE) and histamine. This may induce symptoms such as nausea. Eggs, meat, wheat, peanuts, soy, fish, and shellfish are some of the most common food allergies. You can get yourself checked to determine what foods you are intolerant to. This can save you from similar incidents in the future.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease
It is also most commonly known as acid reflux. According to the Center for Ethics at Oregon Health & Science University, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) usually occurs when stomach acid flows up into the esophagus, inflaming it and causing nausea.
You can experience heartburn especially after eating spicy or greasy foods. This burning sensation in your upper chest can also be the cause of nausea. If you have additional symptoms like difficulty swallowing, chronic coughing, and sleep disturbances, your nausea could be caused by GERD.
Irritable bowel syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a digestive disorder that causes symptoms such as bloating, cramps, and nausea. If you have irritable bowel syndrome and have feces accumulated in your colon, your nausea may worsen since what doesn’t go down may eventually come up.
An IBS flare-up has no known etiology so it’s difficult to point out what exactly went wrong. However, most symptoms, such as vomiting, seem to worsen after eating foods that are difficult to digest. It can also be triggered by drugs or stress. Find some of the foods that are easy to digest here.
How can we prevent nausea?
Although you might want to seek some medical help if your nausea worsens, you can also prevent nausea by adopting a few remedies and by changing your eating habits and lifestyle. Some of the tips for preventing nausea are as follows:
- Avoid spicy foods, instead go for foods that are easy to digest such as crackers, white rice, or dry toast.
- Limit eating when you are nauseated, instead drink plenty of water.
- Consuming ginger may help with your nausea. Various ginger products like ginger ale, ginger gum, or ginger candy can help you to prevent nausea.
- Avoid milk or high-fiber foods that are known to trigger nausea. Eating bland foods like bread may help.
- Try chewing gum or sucking mints or ice cubes.
- Relax and sit still after eating your meal to allow your food to digest.
- Try to eat smaller but more frequent meals instead of three huge meals every day. Eating too much food at the same time might make your nausea worse.
Conclusion
In this brief guide, we have addressed the query, ”Why do I get nauseous when I eat?” We have also discussed the various causes of nausea and how we can prevent it.
