After eating spicy food my stomach hurts

Why does my stomach hurt after I eat?

Indigestion is when you have an uncomfortable feeling in the upper part of your stomach area, which may sometimes feel like a burning pain. You may also feel really full, or sometimes might feel nauseous. Indigestion is often accompanied by heartburn (or acid reflux) – a burning sensation around your chest area, due to stomach acid rising up into your oesophagus (your food pipe).

Both heartburn and indigestion are common. While it’s not always clear what causes them, many people find that certain types of food – including spicy foods – can trigger symptoms.

Can you get heartburn from spicy food?

Exactly how spicy food influences heartburn or indigestion isn’t clear. Some people might find that eating spicy food can trigger symptoms including heartburn and indigestion.

Is it okay to eat hot, spicy food while pregnant?

You may be wondering - “does spicy food cause heartburn in pregnancy?”. Heartburn is common in pregnancy, though it’s usually due to the effects of hormone changes and from internal organs being more crowded. Since spicy foods can be associated with heartburn, they may trigger symptoms in pregnant women – but it’s unlikely that spicy foods are the actual cause.

Which spicy foods make heartburn worse?

When it comes to spicy foods and heartburn, chillies and peppers may not be the only culprit. A range of other ingredients can also be associated with heartburn and indigestion, so it may be best to avoid spicy dishes that also contain large amounts of the following:

• Onions
• Garlic
• Tomatoes
• Citrus (e.g., lemon, orange)
• Salt
• Fats (e.g., oil, butter, animal fat)

How can I prevent getting heartburn and indigestion after spicy foods?

Since avoiding trigger foods is recommended for preventing heartburn and indigestion, it’s helpful to become better aware of exactly what ingredients result in symptoms for you. Is it only some spicy dishes that give you heartburn? What happens if you take out a specific ingredient? Once you’re more aware of how your body reacts, it can then be easier to adjust your diet or ask restaurants to modify dishes for you.

You can also think about how you might adapt recipes to minimise ingredients that can promote heartburn. Try cutting down on fat by choosing leaner cuts of protein, or using cooking methods like steaming or grilling. It can also help to have smaller meals and avoid lying down for at least three hours after eating.

How can I relieve stomach pain or heartburn after eating spicy food?

If you do end up getting heartburn or indigestion after eating spicy foods, try Gaviscon Dual Action. By neutralising stomach acid and creating a protective layer on top of your stomach contents, it helps to bring soothing relief to your symptoms so that pain and discomfort don’t have to be the lasting memories of your meal.

All information presented is not intended to diagnose or prescribe. Always read the label. Follow the directions for use. If symptoms persist, talk to your healthcare professional.

RB-M-14829

NA 12960

How much do we hate experiencing a burning sensation as we eat anything spicy? We generally turn to cold water in order relieve ourselves from the fiery feeling in our mouth. However, it may only worsen the case as it may spread the capsaicin - a compound found in chili - inside your mouth. Spicy foods get their spiciness and hot intensity from capsaicin, which can be neutralised with certain things. In order to stop the burning sensation quickly, do not drink water; instead follow something that will help.

Dr. Kapil Agrawal, Sr. Consultant, Laproscopic & Bariatric Surgeon, Habilite & Apollo Spectra Hospital, "Most spicy food gets its kick from capsaicinoids, a family of molecules found in nearly all chili peppers. The chili burn stems from a chemical reaction that occurs when capsaicin bonds with the pain receptors on the inside of the mouth. Drinking water after biting down on a chili pepper will only spread the capsaicin around the inside of your mouth, where it will come in contact with more pain receptors and amp up the burning sensation. Steer clear of beer and soda too-both beverages are mostly water."(Also read: 6 Surprising Spicy Food Benefits: Turn Up The Heat)

1. Opt for whole milk or full-fat sour cream or yogurt to do the trick. It works just like soap dissolving grease particles when cleaning dishes. Milk will dissolve and remove capsaicin from the reactive area.
2. Capsaicin also dissolves in alcohol. Swigs of alcohol can also have the added benefit of blacking out all memory of the burn.
3. Choose olive oil, or peanut butter. Both products are high in fat and oil that can help in removing the spiciness easily.
4. Rice and bread won't dissolve capsaicin like fats, oils, and alcohol, but they will act like a crude mop to soak up the molecules and stop the scorching feeling.
5. A spoonful of sugar should help or honey can help. The sugar in honey and the granules can absorb the spicy oil and will provide instant relief.
6. A lime or lemon may help too. A slice of lemon or citrus fruit will help neutralise the capsaicin by binding with them, kind of similar to what dairy can do.
7. You can also try filling your mouth with warm water and swish it around your mouth and spit to remove the spiciness from the tongue.
8. Try creamy fruits and veggies like avocados and banana. The silky texture will help remove the capsaicin from the mouth easily.

Ensure that you do not drink cold water immediately as it may also put off the digestive fire and may hinder your digestion process, further resulting in various health problems. So, now you do not have to completely stop eating spicy foods, just pop in these foods and get instant relief.