Dr. Mayank Madan

Growing up, we were taught many “rules” regarding how and what to eat. We were also told what habits to avoid while eating such as drinking water in the middle of a meal. While most of them are unfounded (ex: if you eat an orange seed you will grow an orange tree from your stomach), some of them are quite relevant (ex: don’t lie down right after a meal). 

Whatever is said and done, stomach pains after a hearty meal are the worst! Especially for all the foodies out there. What’s more, pinpointing the exact cause of the stomach ache is quite challenging as the abdominal cavity houses so many organs. To make things a little simple, we have compiled a list of possible reasons for a stomach ache right after a meal.  

Diet-related stomach aches 

We have all heard the saying “you are what you eat”. There is no doubt that whatever we consume has an extremely significant impact on how we feel. Here are a few reasons you might be feeling uneasy or queasy because of what you eat: 

1. Food poisoning: This usually occurs after eating food containing toxins or germs. Such as undercooked or spoilt food and food cooked and/or stored in unhygienic conditions. It can also be a result of consuming water from unreliable sources. Common symptoms of food poisoning include pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.   
2. Irritating foods: Some types of food can irritate the stomach lining and result in its inflammation. This includes extremely spicy food, acidic food, coffee and alcohol. The type of food that irritates the stomach can vary from person to person. 
3. Allergies and intolerances: Eating anything you are allergic or intolerant to can result in stomach cramps, nausea and diarrhoea after eating. The most common example of this is the consumption of dairy by a lactose intolerant person.  
4. Overeating: We are all guilty of binging once in a while. Overeating causes the stomach to stretch beyond its natural capacity resulting in pain, gas, discomfort and bloating.  
5. Trapped wind: There can be times when the digestive tract can cause discomfort and bloating in the stomach. There can be continuous or growling that come and go every few minutes in the stomach causing the stomach to pain and gas after eating.
6. There are certain types of food that can cause bloating and wind in the stomach. Foods like- cabbage, broccoli, beans, onions, taro root etc.
7. Caffeinated products: Eatery items that carry caffeine are not good for health. Foods like tea, coffee, cold drinks,and packed juice boxes can irritate the stomach and cause discomfort.
8. Spicy foods: Consuming spicy food can cause burning sensations in the stomach. Spicy foods are known to contain capsaicin which may irritate the stomach as well as the sensitive parts.
9. Alcohol: Alcohol can leave a person feeling bloated and also cause heartburn. It is recommended to reduce the intake of alcohol.

Sugary drinks and certain foods can cause bloating and wind. These include:

• onions
• beans
• cabbage
• broccoli

When someone chews gum, sucks sweets, or eats with their mouth open, it can lead to them swallowing air. This can be another cause of wind.

Medical conditions responsible for stomach ache

Some types of stomach pain need not be linked to “what” you eat. They can be caused by conditions that are triggered by “when” you eat. These include: 

1. Indigestion: This condition is best described as a feeling of fullness/bloating and/or abdominal pain right after you eat. We have all experienced it one time or the other and can vouch for how uncomfortable it feels. The reasons for indigestion vary from food choices to lifestyle and even medications that you may be consuming (such as certain painkillers or antibiotics). 
2. GERD: GERD is the acronym for gastroesophageal reflux disease. This is a condition that occurs when gastric fluids start flowing up the oesophagus (food pipe) and cause discomfort and tightness in the chest. This symptom is commonly called a “heartburn”, severe cases of heartburn can be confused with a heart attack. Another symptom of this condition is chronic acid reflux (throwing up bitter liquid in the mouth) right after eating.  
3. Gastritis: Gastritis is a condition characterised by swelling and inflammation of the stomach lining. It is usually caused by an infection and is exacerbated by diet, lifestyle and/or long-term use of certain medications.  
4. Peptic ulcer: Peptic ulcers are open sores that develop in the inner lining of the stomach or the small intestine. The symptoms are exacerbated when stomach acids are produced which is why they cause more pain right after meals.  
5. Pancreatitis: Pancreatitis is inflammation in the pancreas. It can be chronic or acute and is caused by the action of digestive enzymes on the pancreatic cells. One of the common symptoms of pancreatitis is stomach pain which worsens after eating. The pain often feels like it starts in the stomach and radiates to the back.  
6. Biliary tract disorders and gallstones: Cholecystitis is inflammation of the gallbladder that can result in the production of gallstones. These can in turn cause blockages that cause severe abdominal pain, nausea, a build-up of bile and in extreme cases, jaundice.  
7. Constipation: Constipation may not always be related to stomach pain after eating, but it can cause a feeling of discomfort or bloat in the stomach especially after a heavy meal.  
8. Gas: In some cases, especially if you eat extremely fast, you can experience pain caused due to a build-up of gas in the stomach and/or intestinal tract.  

Read: Gallbladder Stones – Everything you need to know

Final thought

If you are experiencing chronic pain or pain that seems to be intensifying with time, consult your doctor to seek the appropriate treatment. Many a time, the conditions can be managed by dietary and lifestyle choices provided they are diagnosed before they cause long term damage. If you are on any medications that seem to be causing stomach problems, consult your doctor for alternatives or supplements to manage symptoms.  

FAQs

Q1. Why do I get pain in my upper abdomen after eating?

Indigestion is one of the common reasons why one can get pain in the upper abdomen after eating. It gives a burning sensation in the upper abdomen and the sensation is carried to the food pipe and mouth as well. When there is too much acid or gas in the stomach the upper abdomen hurts.

Q2. What does pancreatitis pain feel like?

Pancreatitis pain is when an individual has pain in the upper abdomen which feels tender and sore on touching. This pan starts to radiate to the back.

Q3. Why do I get indigestion after I eat?

When the food is too palatable to stop even when the stomach is full that is when we start to overeat. Too much oily food, spicy food and too much sugar can result in indigestion.

Irritable and itchy anal cavity, trouble passing stools, bloody stools, and discomfort when you sit for a long time? – chances are you may have experienced these conditions at some point in time in your life. You’re not alone! 50% of the Indian population suffers from haemorrhoids. It is reported that 20% of cases suffer from piles and fissures together. However, many of us often fail to understand the fundamental difference between piles and fissure since both have similar symptoms.

In this article, Dr Mayank Madan, a leading general surgeon in Gurgaon, explains the difference between piles and fissures. 

What Is the Difference Between Piles and Fissure?

Piles or haemorrhoids are inflamed veins in the rectal or anal region that may protrude outside, causing discomfort.

An anal fissure, on the other hand, is a small cut on the lining of the anal cavity.

Piles vs Fissure

Here are some essential differences that can help you understand what are piles and fissures.

Piles and Fissure Overview

Piles Vs fissures are often misinterpreted due to overlapping signs and symptoms. Here is a detailed overview of piles fissures to help you grasp a better understanding. 

Piles Overview 

Piles can be broadly categorised into three types:

• Internal Haemorrhoids
• External Haemorrhoids
• Thrombosed Haemorrhoids

The symptoms and treatment options purely depend on the kind of haemorrhoid you have and its severity. When deduced in the initial stages, you can even treat it with simple lifestyle changes and natural home remedies.

1. Internal Haemorrhoids

Internal haemorrhoids occur as hard lumps in the back passage inside the rectal cavity. You might not feel them initially as that region has very few pain-sensing nerves. However, in case you have prolonged constipation or strained bowel movement, then this can cause occasional bleeding and pain.

Internal haemorrhoids can be further classified based on their severity:

• First-degree haemorrhoids stay in the rectum. They may bleed but generally don’t cause much discomfort.
• Second-degree haemorrhoids are a bit more swollen and prolapse when strained, usually during defecation. They return to the rectum on their own after some time.
• Third-degree haemorrhoids don’t relapse on their own and need to be pushed in. These are a bit painful and take time to heal.
• Fourth-degree haemorrhoids always remain outside the rectum and cannot be pushed back inside.

Some of the standard inner piles’ symptoms include:

• itching in the anal region
• irritation and pain in the anus
• leakage of stool
• lump or swelling inside the anal cavity
• occasional bloody stools due to rupture

2. External Haemorrhoids

External haemorrhoids are more prominent and painful as they occur in the outer region of your anal canal. They usually are covered with regular skin and have pain nerves surrounding them. This variant of piles is more painful and has a high risk of clots, skin tags, and other related skin infections.

3. Thrombosed Haemorrhoids

Thrombosed haemorrhoids are characterised by a blood clot that prevents blood flow. Sometimes these haemorrhoids burst and start bleeding due to excessive blood. If you are wondering if these are bleeding haemorrhoids are dangerous, worry not! Although thrombosed haemorrhoids can cause a lot of pain and discomfort, they are usually benign.

Fissures Overview

Unlike piles, anal fissures can be very painful right from the beginning. The light tear on the moist tissue of the anal region can cause painful itching and spams in the anal sphincter.

Depending on the severity of the condition, fissures can be categorised as:

1. Acute Fissures

Acute fissures are freshly developed and thus, can be treated easily. One can encourage the self-healing of these fissures with simple home remedies.

If left untreated, however, they can manifest as chronic fissures in the future.

2. Chronic Fissures

These are fissures that last for more than 8-12 weeks and need medical assistance to heal.

Along with the anal tear, chronic fissures also involve a swelling commonly known as a skin tag, and extra tissue growth known as hypertrophied papilla.

3. Fissure Symptoms

Usually, anal fissures entail a searing pain at the bottom. However, other fissure symptoms that you may experience are:

• Occasional bleeding especially while defecating
• Tightening of the anus accompanied by a sharp spasm
• Painful boils which may be filled with pus
• Mucus-like smelly discharge

Best Treatment for Piles and Fissure

A typical fissure or haemorrhoid is easy to manage and would take a minimum of 6-8 weeks to heal completely.

You can try the following methods for the best treatment for piles and fissure for faster healing:

• Increasing your fibre and fluid intake can make the stools bulkier and soft. This would make it easier to pass through without causing any pain.
• A cold compress and ice packs can help eliminate pain and is the best treatment for piles and fissure.
• A sitz bath, which is a warm bath with salts, is a commonly prescribed and efficient home remedy for piles and fissure.
• Wearing loose cotton clothing that doesn’t rupture the affected region further can alleviate the pain.
• Drinking 500-600 ml of water on an empty stomach helps to activate the gastrocolic reflex (a contraction of your colon to release stools).
• If the conditions persist for more than a week, it is best to get a medical consult.

Depending on the severity of the condition, your medical practitioner might prescribe stool softeners, over-the-counter creams and topical ointments.

One can treat these health issues without operations, but in severe cases, your doctor may suggest surgery of piles and fissure. Depending on your condition, you can also opt for advanced methods including laser treatment for piles and fissure. 

What to Avoid in Piles and Fissure?

Certainly, you would know the difference between fissure vs piles. However, their symptoms can be managed by slightly altering your lifestyle. 

Here are some recommendations you should follow if you are suffering from piles and fissure:

• Avoid spicy food 
• Avoid fried food 
• Restrict the consumption of caffeinated beverages 
• Avoid drinking alcohol 

Prevention of Piles and Fissures

You can prevent the onset of piles fissures with good lifestyle choices. The preventive measures for these conditions entail promoting healthy bowel movement.

• Eating high-fibre foods
• Drinking a lot of water
• Following a daily exercise regime – practice yoga for piles and fissure prevention 
• Avoiding long hours on the toilet

The Concluding Note

For many people, discussing anorectal disorders can be embarrassing and acts as a barrier to getting the right care. But these issues are liable to worsen if not addressed immediately. To seek the right care, it is essential to stay informed about your condition. Thereby, one should know the primary difference between piles and fissure. To avoid further health complications, one must seek medical advice as early as possible.

To get the best laser treatment for piles and fissures, visit CK Birla Hospital or book an appointment with Dr Mayank Madan, a leading general surgeon in Gurgaon. 

FAQs

Ques: What is the primary difference between piles and fissures?

Ans: Piles are swollen blood vessels while fissures are cuts, tears or cracks of the anal skin. 

Ques: How to get rid of piles permanently?

Ans: To get rid of piles permanently, you should eat high-fibre foods, more fruits, vegetables and whole grains. 

Ques: Can piles and fissures occur together?

Ans: Piles and fissures can happen together or separately. 

Most Indians are concerned and well-informed about cardiac and arthritic conditions. While, surprisingly, the incidence rate of hernia is on a rise in the Indian population. More than 1 million Indians experience this ailment annually. A hernia is a common condition that often leads to the use of surgery for treatment. It is essential to learn about what is a hernia when the prevalence is so alarming. 

In this article, Dr Mayank Madan, a leading general surgeon in Gurgaon, talks about what is hernia disease, its causes and treatment options. 

What is a hernia?

A hernia is a condition that leads to the formation of an abnormal localised bulge of body organs or muscle tissues. This bulge pushes through the muscles that have been holding it in its original place. 

A hernia is not a fatal condition. However, it can cause major levels of discomfort. Severe cases lead to other health complications associated with hernia. A hernia can occur anywhere between your chest and your groin. Most often, it appears on the abdomen and upper thighs. 

There are several different types of hernias. Most common types include:

• Inguinal hernia – This is the most common type of hernia in men. In an inguinal hernia, a bulge appears on the sides of the pubic bone. It happens when tissues such as parts of the intestine push through weak spots of muscles in the abdomen. Inguinal hernia in men is the most common type.
• Femoral hernia – Femoral hernia in women mostly affects women in their old age. Similar to an inguinal hernia, it happens when part of the intestine protrudes through weak abdominal muscles. Hernia symptoms in women include a burning sensation in the bulge, pain and discomfort in groin and more. 
• Umbilical hernia – An umbilical hernia appears near the navel. It can affect a person at any age. However, umbilical hernia in children does not cause any pain. 
• Hiatal hernia – Hiatal hernia happens when part of the abdomen bulges through the diaphragm into the chest cavity. It may cause moderate to severe pain in the abdomen and the chest. 

The other uncommon forms of hernia are incisional, epigastric, spigelian and diaphragmatic hernia. 

What is hernia disease symptoms?

A hernia, as mentioned above, appears in the form of a bulge. Depending on the contents of hernia and its location, it may disappear when you are lying down. 

The bulge can be seen and felt. It aggravates when you cough, bend or put any pressure on the specific body part. Besides a visibly abnormal bulge, pain and discomfort are the symptoms associated with this condition. 

Specific types of hernia can lead to more narrowed down symptoms such as chest pain, difficulty in swallowing, heartburn and more. 

What causes hernia?

One of the fundamental causes of hernia is muscle weakness. A muscular wall keeps the abdominal organs in place. When muscles responsible for holding these organs and tissues in place become weak, they lose their strength resulting in a hernia. 

The chances of occurrence of hernia increase with age as muscles tend to lose their tone and become lax. There are several reasons why muscles strain and become weak leading to hernia. Sometimes a weak muscle is present since birth and causes a gradual development of a hernia problem. 

The most common causes of hernia include:

• Congenital heart conditions 
• Chronic coughing 
• Lifting heavy objects
• Presence of fluid in the abdomen 
• Constipation 
• Damage from an injury or surgical procedure
• Aging 
• Pregnancy 
• Obesity 

The above-given factors can impact anyone at any age since muscle straining can be caused irrespective of age and gender. However, some people are more likely to be affected by this condition than others. Your risk of developing hernia problem increase if:

• You have a family history of the disease
• You suffer from chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD)
• You have cystic fibroisis
• You are a heavy smoker 
• You were born prematurely

What are hernia treatment options?

A hernia problem is easily diagnosed with the help of a physical exam. Your healthcare provider (hernia doctor) will simply need to feel and analyse the bulge. Your doctor will evaluate your condition based on the information you provide regarding the severity of your symptoms. 

Your doctor will ask you the first time you noticed a hernia, the kind of pain and discomfort it had been causing you, your lifestyle habits, your family history of the disease and your personal medical history. 

If your doctor may suspect the need for additional screening tests to evaluate the location and contents of hernia properly. The additional tests include abdominal ultrasounds, CT scans, MRI, endoscopy and more. 

Sometimes hernia problem can subside on its own. However, most of the times, it requires surgical intervention. If you have mild symptoms, your healthcare provider may suggest watchful waiting as a treatment protocol. Your condition will be monitored consistently and you will offer pain relief support. 

If your symptoms are severe, your hernia treatment options only include surgical repair. Surgery for hernia can permanently fix your problem and give you instant relief from pain and discomfort. 

There are two hernia treatment options:

1. Open hernia surgery – In open surgery, your surgeon will make a considerably large incision at the site of the hernia. He/she will push the protruding organs or tissues back into their place. Sometimes, a mesh or medical implant is used to provide support to the weakened wall muscles. 
2. Laparoscopic hernia surgery – A laparoscopic surgery is a more advanced and safest technique for surgical repair of the hernia. In this method, your surgeon will make several tiny incisions at the site of the hernia. One of the tiny incisions is used to access the bulge through a laparoscope. A laparoscope is a thin tube with a small camera. This medical tool is used to look at the internal organs more clearly. Your surgeon will use the other incisions to push the bulge contents back in their place. 

Both hernia treatment options are highly effective and safe. However, small risks and complications such as infection, low-grade fever are associated with hernia surgery. 

The laparoscopic surgery offers more benefits to the patients as compared to open surgery. It requires less hospital stay, bleeding, scarring and a decreased chance of infection.

What is hernia prevention?

An active and healthy lifestyle is the key to hernia prevention. You should practice the following tips and tricks to keep hernia at bay:

• Eat high fibre foods to avoid straining and constipation 
• Exercise moderately to maintain a healthy body weight 
• Avoid lifting heavy weights or extraneous activities
• Avoid smoking or tobacco consumption 
• Restrict your consumption of spicy foods 

The concluding note

Prevention is only possible when most people grasp the concept of what is a hernia. Even if you have a non-symptomatic hernia, you should get it inspected by a healthcare provider to avoid any medical complications. 

Visit the CK Birla Hospital or book an appointment with Dr Mayank Madan, the best laparoscopic surgeon in Gurgaon, to learn more about hernia treatment. 

FAQs

Ques: How serious is a Hernia problem?

An untreated hernia can cause various life-threatening complications. A hernia can get bigger and more painful.

Ques: Is a hernia painful?

Pain is a common symptom of hernia. However, whether the hernia is painful or not depends upon the location and size of the hernia. 

Ques: What type of Hernia is most severe?

According to research, umbilical hernia is considered most severe among all types. 

Ques: Do Hernias always require surgery?

Most hernia requires surgical intervention for permanent relief. Surgery is indicated only when the hernia is usually getting bigger with severe symptoms.