You finish a meal, and instead of feeling satisfied, you notice something uncomfortable happening below your belly button. Maybe it’s cramping. Maybe it’s pressure, bloating, or a sharp pain on one side. And sometimes, you feel the urge to use the bathroom soon after eating. So why does your lower stomach hurt after eating? Lower … Read more
You eat a meal, and a few hours later your stomach feels unusually full, tight, or swollen. You may start wondering: “Could something be wrong with my gut bacteria?” The answer is more complicated than simply saying “bad bacteria cause bloating.” Your gut is home to trillions of microorganisms, collectively known as the gut microbiome. … Read more
Have you ever eaten something that seems completely harmless—only to end up with a tight, swollen stomach a few hours later? For some people, the problem may be FODMAPs. FODMAPs are a group of short-chain carbohydrates found naturally in many everyday foods. They are not “bad” foods, and most people can eat them without a … Read more