Eating is a pleasant experience for most people. There are times, however, that you may feel nauseous and throw up afterward. Aside from the obvious reason that it’s going to make you feel worse than before, why do you throw up after eating? That feeling of nausea after eating something isn’t uncommon. In fact, this is a normal response of your body when it senses something that doesn’t agree with it. That said, not everyone experiences this feeling after eating and there are also different reasons why you throw up after eating. This article will reveal the truth behind why you throw up after eating and what are the potential triggers of these symptoms.
What’s The Reason Why You Throw Up After Eating?
There are various reasons why someone may throw up after eating. These include the following:
- Gastrointestinal upset due to overeating, overeating at improper times, or inadequate food intake in general.
- Food poisoning due to contamination of the food with bacteria or viruses that cause illness.
- Overconsumption of alcohol, drugs (including over-the-counter medications), and other harmful substances that can cause vomiting and gastric upset.
- Intolerance of certain foods such as gluten or lactose intolerance, which can lead to a condition called celiac disease, which is an autoimmune disorder that causes severe gastrointestinal distress including vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, and malnutrition if untreated by a gluten-free diet. Celiac disease is usually diagnosed by an endoscopy where a small tube is inserted through the mouth into the stomach and small intestine to look for damage to the intestinal lining caused by gluten (a protein found in wheat). If there is damage to the intestinal lining then you have celiac disease and need to follow a strict gluten-free diet for life (see “Celiac Disease” below). If you have celiac disease don’t eat any foods that contain gluten (wheat, barley, and rye) and look for a gluten-free diet in the form of a special diet.
- The presence of certain bacteria or viruses, such as rotavirus, can cause diarrhea and vomiting. These viruses are spread by contaminated food or water supplies and are not present in healthy people. Rotavirus is common in children under 5 years old who may have accidental contamination from contaminated diapers.
- Medications can cause vomiting as well if they are poorly absorbed into the body due to medications that affect gastrointestinal function, such as antihistamines (diphenhydramine), antacids (e.g., calcium carbonate), some antidepressants (e.g., fluoxetine), and other medications such as opioids (e.g., oxycodone).
- Stress can also lead to vomiting even if you do not have any apparent cause for it at the time; this is because stress increases the secretion of stress hormones such as cortisol which may act on the gastrointestinal tract to stimulate vomiting by causing diarrhea or constipation, which can be relieved by either being seated upright or lying down flat on the back.
- Intense exercise such as running and long periods of strenuous activity can lead to vomiting. This is because intense exercise can cause dehydration, which reduces the ability of the body to absorb fluids and increases the amount of water that is excreted through the kidneys and into the urine. This causes dilutional hyponatremia, which is a condition in which there is too much sodium in your blood causing a loss of brain function that causes vomiting.
- Certain medications can cause vomiting if they are poorly absorbed into the body due to medications that affect gastrointestinal function, such as antihistamines (diphenhydramine), antacids (e.g., calcium carbonate), some antidepressants (e.g., fluoxetine) and other medications such as opioids (e.g., oxycodone).
- Medications can also cause nausea or vomiting if they are poorly absorbed into the body due to medications that affect gastrointestinal function, such as antipsychotics (e.g., haloperidol) or antibiotics (e.g., rifampin).
You May Have An Imbalance In Your Gut Bacteria
Natural Remedies for IBS
If you have IBS, you know what it’s like to experience a variety of symptoms that can be very painful and difficult to treat. We’ve put together some of the best natural remedies for IBS.
Natural Remedies for IBS #1: Probiotics
I’m sure you’ve heard the saying, “you are what you eat.” This is especially true when it comes to your digestive system. The bacteria in your gut are responsible for regulating your health by producing essential vitamins and minerals, regulating your immune system, and helping your body absorb nutrients from the food you eat. When you don’t have enough good bacteria in your gut, it can cause digestive problems such as IBS. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to boost the good bacteria in your gut with probiotics. Learn more about probiotic supplements here >
Natural Remedies for IBS #2: Fiber
Fiber is a key ingredient in foods that help make digestion easier on the digestive tract. Foods high in fiber include beans, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables (especially leafy greens). Eating foods high in fiber helps keep things moving through your digestive tract, which is especially important for IBS patients who have sluggish digestion.
Natural Remedies for IBS #3: FOS
Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) are a type of soluble fiber that helps to feed the good bacteria in your gut. You can find FOS in foods like onions, garlic, asparagus, and artichokes. They are also sold as supplements. If you have IBS or another gastrointestinal disorder and you’re looking for a natural supplement to help with digestion, try taking FOS supplements. Learn more about fructooligosaccharides here >
Natural Remedies for IBS #4: Ginger Root
Ginger root is an herb that has been used as an anti-inflammatory and anti-spasmodic since ancient times. It can be found fresh in the grocery store or dried in capsules or powder form in health food stores. You can also buy ginger root extracts that contain ginger root’s active ingredients as well as other beneficial herbs like turmeric and black pepper extracts. Ginger root is often used to treat stomach pain, diarrhea, bloating, and gas (especially for irritable bowel syndrome). Learn more about ginger root here >
Natural Remedies for IBS #5: Lactobacillus Acidophilus
Lactobacillus acidophilus is a bacteria that is often found in fermented foods and beverages. It’s also found in yogurt and kefir. These foods can help your body to produce beneficial acids, which are necessary for healthy digestion. If you have IBS or another gastrointestinal disorder and you’re looking for a natural supplement to help with digestion, try taking a probiotic supplement that contains the Lactobacillus acidophilus bacteria. Learn more about probiotics here >
Natural Remedies for IBS #6: Turmeric Root
Turmeric root is an herb that has been used as an anti-inflammatory and anti-spasmodic since ancient times. It can be found fresh in the grocery store or dried in capsules or powder form in health food stores. You can also buy turmeric root extracts that contain turmeric root’s active ingredients as well as other beneficial herbs like black pepper extract. Turmeric root is often used to treat stomach pain, diarrhea, bloating, and gas (especially for irritable bowel syndrome). Learn more about turmeric root here >
Natural Remedies for IBS #7: Peppermint Leaf
Peppermint is a herb that has been used as an anti-spasmodic since ancient times. It can be found fresh in the grocery store or dried in capsules or powder form in health food stores. You can also buy peppermint extracts that contain peppermint’s active ingredients as well as other beneficial herbs like black pepper extract. Peppermint is often used to treat stomach pain, diarrhea, bloating, and gas (especially for irritable bowel syndrome). Learn more about peppermint here >
Natural Remedies for IBS #8: Chia Seeds
Chia seeds are an herb that has been used as a natural treatment for low energy and fatigue since ancient times. They can be found fresh in the grocery store or dried in capsules or powder form in health food stores. You can also buy chia seed extracts that contain chia seed’s active ingredients as well as other beneficial herbs like black pepper extract. Chia seeds are often used to treat stomach pain, diarrhea, bloating, and gas (especially for irritable bowel syndrome). Learn more about chia seeds here >
Natural Remedies for IBS #9: Flax Seeds
Flax seeds are an herb that has been used as a natural treatment for low energy and fatigue since ancient times. They can be found fresh in the grocery store or dried in capsules or powder form in health food stores. You can also buy flax seed extracts that contain flax seed’s active ingredients as well as other beneficial herbs like black pepper extract. Flax seeds are often used to treat stomach pain, diarrhea, bloating, and gas (especially for irritable bowel syndrome). Learn more about flax seeds here >
Natural Remedies for IBS #10: Cayenne Pepper
Cayenne pepper is a herb that has been used as a natural treatment for low energy and fatigue since ancient times. It can be found fresh in the grocery store or dried in capsules or powder form in health food stores. You can also buy cayenne pepper extracts that contain cayenne pepper’s active ingredients as well as other beneficial herbs like black pepper extract. Cayenne pepper is often used to treat stomach pain, diarrhea, bloating, and gas (especially for irritable bowel syndrome). Learn more about cayenne pepper here >
Conclusion
The truth behind why you throw up after eating is that your body is trying to protect you from harmful agents and other factors that could cause illness. This is a helpful response and can save you from a serious health issue, but it can also be very uncomfortable. If you’ve identified that you throw up after eating because of a specific reason, talk to your doctor. They can help you treat your nausea and vomiting so you can feel better and eat normally again.
