Abdominal Pain After Eating Greasy Foods

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  Abdominal pain after eating greasy foods can be uncomfortable and concerning. Different types of foods elicit varied digestive system responses. High-fat foods may trigger mild to severe abdominal pain for various reasons. Some relatively common disorders, such as reflux and irritable bowel syndrome, might be to blame. More serious conditions, such as gallbladder, pancreatic or inflammatory bowel disease, can also cause discomfort after eating high-fat foods.

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 Gallbladder Disease

Gallbladder disease can provoke abdominal pain after eating greasy foods. The gallbladder stores bile, which helps digest fats. The gallbladder contracts and squeezes bile into the intestine when food enters from the stomach. Temporary blockage of bile-transporting ducts, by a gallstone or thick bile, can trigger a gallbladder attack, known medically as biliary colic. Intense right upper abdominal pain, which might radiate to the shoulder, occurs as the gallbladder repeatedly contracts to relieve the blockage. Biliary colic sometimes follows a high-fat meal, likely due to the strong stimulatory effect of fats on gallbladder contraction.

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  Biliary colic pain that worsens over time or persists longer than 6 hours often indicates progression to acute cholecystitis, or gallbladder inflammation, which requires urgent treatment. Other common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, fever and chills. Risk factors for gallbladder disease include female sex, rapid weight loss, obesity, age older than 40 and a family history gallbladder disease.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common functional gastrointestinal disorder, in which the intestines show no detectable evidence of disease but sometimes function abnormally, causing altered bowel habits. IBS is diagnosed based on symptoms, which may include abdominal pain, bloating, nausea and gassiness. Although research has failed to conclusively identify specific food triggers for IBS, people with the condition commonly report that certain foods provoke symptoms. Trigger foods vary among different people. High-fat and fried foods trigger IBS symptoms in some people. Other reported trigger foods include dairy products, alcohol, chocolate, and caffeinated or carbonated beverages.

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 IBS occurs more commonly in women than men. Other risk factors include a high level of psychological stress and smoking. Treatment for IBS focuses on reducing symptoms, which primarily involves individualized diet and lifestyle modifications.

Gastroparesis and Reflux Gastroparesis refers to delayed emptying of food from the stomach into the small intestine caused by reduced or absent stomach contractions. Common symptoms include feeling full, nausea, heartburn, and upper abdominal bloating and pain. Greasy foods can trigger or worsen gastroparesis symptoms, as high-fat foods remain in the stomach longer and further delay gastric emptying. People with diabetes-related nerve damage and those undergoing abdominal or chest radiation treatment can develop gastroparesis. Medications, such as tricyclic antidepressants and narcotic pain relievers, can also cause the condition.

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 Greasy foods might also contribute to relaxation of the muscular band that closes off the stomach from the esophagus. This can lead to reflux of stomach contents into the esophagus, with heartburn pain in the upper abdomen. Although occasional heartburn is common, frequent or troublesome heartburn may indicate gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which requires treatment.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) includes Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis, conditions characterized by chronic or recurring inflammation of the digestive tract – especially the intestines. With IBD, the immune system reacts abnormally to bacteria, food and other intestinal contents, leading to inflammation. Medical researchers believe diet might affect IBD and the occurrence of flareups, perhaps by influencing the bacteria in the bowel. Greasy foods can lead to diarrhea, gas and abdominal pain in some people with IBD. Lower abdominal pain is a major symptom of IBD, which may be accompanied by weight loss, bloody diarrhea and vomiting.

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 Fat Malabsorption

The digestive system breaks down dietary fats into smaller molecules that can be absorbed into the bloodstream. Various conditions can interfere with this process, leading to fat malabsorption. When people with this condition eat high-fat foods, undigested fat in the bowel frequently leads to abdominal cramps, bloating, excess gas, and greasy stools or diarrhea.

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 Several medial disorders can cause fat malabsorption. For example, pancreatic inflammation, or pancreatitis, can lead to fat malabsorption due to decreased production of fat-digesting enzymes. Liver and gallbladder diseases that reduce the production or release of bile can also interfere with fat digestion. Other medical disorders that can cause fat malabsorption include: -- Inflammatory bowel disease. -- Celiac disease. -- Short bowel syndrome. -- Pancreatic cancer. -- Cystic fibrosis.

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 Warnings and Precautions

Occasional abdominal discomfort after indulging in greasy food generally doesn’t signal a serious medical problem, especially if it resolves quickly. However, persistent or recurring pain might indicate a significant illness. See your doctor as soon as possible in these circumstances, especially if accompanied by other digestive symptoms or weight loss. Treatment depends on the underlying cause and may include medication, lifestyle modifications and dietary changes.

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 Seek immediate medical attention if you experience any alarm signs or symptoms, including: -- Severe, persistent or worsening abdominal pain. -- Fever, chills or clammy skin. -- Persistent vomiting or vomiting blood. -- Bloody, maroon or tarry stools. -- Dizziness, lightheadedness or fainting. -- Chest pain or shortness of breath.

Reviewed by: Tina M. St. John, M.D.

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  references
  
      American Journal of Gastroenterology: American College of Gastroenterology Monograph on the Management of Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Chronic Idiopathic Constipation
    
      World Journal of Gastroenterologya: Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Clinical Review
    
      National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases: Gastroparesis
    
      Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America:Living With Ulcerative Colitis
    
      Journal of Inflammation Research: Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Clinical Aspects and Treatments
    
      Gastroenterology and Hepatology: The Management of Acute and Chronic Pancreatitis
    
      Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility: Prevalence and Risk Factors of Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Healthy Screenee Undergoing Colonoscopy and Laboratory Tests
    
      Gastroenterology and Hepatology: Diet and Inflammatory Bowel Disease
     Is this an emergency?
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, please see the
National Library of Medicine’s list
of signs you need emergency medical attention or call 911.





  references
  
      American Journal of Gastroenterology: American College of Gastroenterology Monograph on the Management of Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Chronic Idiopathic Constipation
    
      World Journal of Gastroenterologya: Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Clinical Review
    
      National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases: Gastroparesis
    
      Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America:Living With Ulcerative Colitis
    
      Journal of Inflammation Research: Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Clinical Aspects and Treatments
    
      Gastroenterology and Hepatology: The Management of Acute and Chronic Pancreatitis
    
      Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility: Prevalence and Risk Factors of Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Healthy Screenee Undergoing Colonoscopy and Laboratory Tests
    
      Gastroenterology and Hepatology: Diet and Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Is this an emergency? If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, please see the National Library of Medicine’s list of signs you need emergency medical attention or call 911.

Image Credit: d3sign/Moment/GettyImages

      American Journal of Gastroenterology: American College of Gastroenterology Monograph on the Management of Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Chronic Idiopathic Constipation
    
      World Journal of Gastroenterologya: Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Clinical Review
    
      National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases: Gastroparesis
    
      Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America:Living With Ulcerative Colitis
    
      Journal of Inflammation Research: Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Clinical Aspects and Treatments
    
      Gastroenterology and Hepatology: The Management of Acute and Chronic Pancreatitis
    
      Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility: Prevalence and Risk Factors of Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Healthy Screenee Undergoing Colonoscopy and Laboratory Tests
    
      Gastroenterology and Hepatology: Diet and Inflammatory Bowel Disease