What Causes Stomach Burning Shortly After Eating?

Posted on Mon, 21 Jul 2014

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

Mon, 21 Jul 2014 Answered on

Sat, 9 Aug 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : Just curious. What makes your stomach burn like when your hungry shortly after eating. I can go long period of time with out eating but often right after I eat I get the feeling of hunger or almost like back in the days when I had an ulcer. I'm not really concerned that it's anything really wrong I'm just curious why that happens and of I need digestive enzymes or something

Answered by Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Possible stomach problems...

Detailed Answer:
Hi there,

I am sorry for the situation you are in,

Your symptoms of stomach burn shortly after eating is indicative for possible stomach problems:
- ulcer
- gastritis
- GERD/reflux

and/or problems with cholecystis.

In the presence of such pathologies, the stomach pH decreases (lower than 5) while the layer that protects the stomach mucosa from the acidity is broken. Each time you eat, the pH will decrease more, which will be felt as burning sensation.

You do not need digestive enzymes, but a thorough evaluation through:
- upper endoscopy to determine the right diagnosis
- abdominal ultrasound

I advise to start PPIs (proton-pump-inhibitors) therapy together with following healthy lifestyle and diet regimen.

You should:
- avoid citrus/spicy/chilly/fried foods
- eat often and small portions
- drink more water
- do slowly chew up

Hope it helped!
Dr.Klerida

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

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (2 hours later)

Familiar and fairly compliant with your suggestions. Had thorasic surgery years ago stomach/esophagus I think the Baretts is gone. Gallbladder out three yrs ago and thyroid PTC removed last year so I know diet is important. Is PPIs like Prilosec. Synthroid is the only meds I take

Answered by Dr. Dr. Klerida Shehu (40 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Following suggestions...

Detailed Answer:
Hi back,

Thank you for following up.

PPIs is a large group of medication called proton-pump-inhibitors. Prisolec is the trade name for Omeprazole, which falls within this drug-group.

Although you had the operation and Barret's might be gone, i.e. the lesion of the esophagus caused by stomach acid have been resected to prevent cancer onset.

However, the main cause of Barret's which is reflux might be still there. So, new lesions might appear. That's why it is necessary to get treated with PPIs to improve the symptoms and to keep following up to prevent complications onset.

All the best!
Dr.Klerida

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