What Causes Abdominal Bloating And Cramps After Food?

Posted on Thu, 26 Feb 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 26 Feb 2015 Answered on

Tue, 17 Mar 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : After I eat, sometimes my stomach begins to bloat and cramp. Later I feel like I'm going to throw up. After a few hours I do throw up. Sometimes I have a bowel movement, but no diarrhea. If I go home, lay on my left side and hole a small pillow to my stomach, the cramping stops and I go to sleep. This has happened four times in the last month.

Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (6 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
You should have colonoscopy done.

Detailed Answer:
Hello!

Thank you for the query.

Such symptoms can be caused by partial bowels obstruction. At your age (over 50) partial bowels obstruction can be caused by colon cancer. Typical symptoms of partial bowels obstruction are cramps, bloating, occasional gas and/or stool obstruction. Stool and gas excretion gives relief. Nausea and vomiting are also very characteristic for this issue.
If the pain is localized in the upper middle abdomen, peptic ulcer should be also considered.
However colon cancer is the first thing to rule out.

I suggest you to consult your doctor. Blood work, abdominal ultrasound and abdominal x-ray should be done at first. Colonoscopy should be the next step.

Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions.
Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar