Feeling full after eating a small amount of food?
Find out what could be making you feel this way and what may be done about it.
Feeling full after eating a small amount of food?
Find out what could be making you feel this way and what may be done about it.
Feeling full after eating a small amount of food is known as early satiety. People who have this condition often experience trouble eating food after just a few bites, even when they’re having a normal-sized meal.
Some individuals may even experience nausea and vomiting while having their meals.
Early satiety is often seen as a minor condition, especially when you don’t experience any other symptoms. Left untreated, however, it may lead to health problems like malnutrition, weight loss, and stunted wound healing.
Causes of early satiety
These are a few common causes of feeling full after eating a small amount of food:
Gastroparesis
Often regarded as the most common cause of early satiety, gastroparesis is a condition that causes food to remain in the stomach longer than usual. Since food from your last meal still hasn’t left the stomach, you may have trouble eating your next meal.
The cause of gastroparesis is linked to diabetes and even problems with nerves that control how the stomach is emptied.
Constipation
Constipation makes it difficult for a person to pass stools. In most cases, a person with this condition may only pass stools a few times a week, leaving their abdomen feeling bloated and uncomfortable.
Being unable to empty their bowels often may cause early satiety.
Stomach ulcers
These are sores that appear in the linings of your stomach. They’re caused by a bacteria called Helicobacter pylori. Often these sores are painful, and the pain may come and go for days or even months.
In some cases, these ulcers may result from certain medications, like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Gastroparesis
Often regarded as the most common cause of early satiety, gastroparesis is a condition that causes food to remain in the stomach longer than usual. Since food from your last meal still hasn’t left the stomach, you may have trouble eating your next meal.
The cause of gastroparesis is linked to diabetes and even problems with nerves that control how the stomach is emptied.
Constipation
Constipation makes it difficult for a person to pass stools. In most cases, a person with this condition may only pass stools a few times a week, leaving their abdomen feeling bloated and uncomfortable.
Being unable to empty their bowels often may cause early satiety.
Stomach ulcers
These are sores that appear in the linings of your stomach. They’re caused by a bacteria called Helicobacter pylori. Often these sores are painful, and the pain may come and go for days or even months.
In some cases, these ulcers may result from certain medications, like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Treatment for early satiety
Since early satiety may be the symptom of an underlying medical condition, the best way to treat it is to treat the condition causing it. So it’s always best to speak to a gastrointestinal doctor when you have trouble eating.
Doctors may recommend the following to help you manage early satiety:
- Eat less fibre as it could make you feel full more easily
- Remove food that causes gas from your diet
- Take small meals instead of three large meals
- Add more liquids to your diet
Visit the Sydney Gut Clinic
The Sydney Gut Clinic has a team of highly-trained professional gastrointestinal specialists who can treat various gastrointestinal conditions.
If you experience feeling full after eating a small amount of food, speak with our team for the appropriate diagnosis, treatment, and support.
The Sydney Gut Clinic is located at the Alexandria Specialist Day Hospital.
Our specialists
Dr Suhirdan Vivekanandarajah
Dr. Suhirdan leads the team at Sydney Gut Clinic, bringing a combination of experience, excellence, and dedication. He is a highly trained Interventional Gastroenterologist,
Dr Andrew Kim
Dr Andrew Kim is a Consultant Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist, he undertook his physician and advanced gastroenterology training at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and completed a fellowship in (IBD) at St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney.
Dr Rohan Gett
Having graduated with honours from the University of New South Wales, he also lays claim to an internship and residency at the reputed Concord Hospital. Trained, thereafter, in general surgery at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Dr Gett ...
Dr Fei Wen Chen
Dr Chen is a consultant gastroenterologist and hepatologist with special interest in managing patients with chronic liver disease of various aetiology, as well as general gastroenterology and endoscopy.
Sviatlana Starr
Sviatlana Starr is an expert in gut-directed hypnotherapy. She has been professionally helping people with different functional gut disorders through gut-directed hypnotherapy sessions since 2015.
Dr Allison Wong
Allison’s special interests include perioperative medicine, simulation and teaching, and regional anaesthesia.
Dr Arjuna ‘Arj’ Nagendra
Dr Nagendra is currently a consultant at Prince of Wales Hospital where he is involved with teaching anaesthetic trainees, particularly in his areas of clinical interest - airway surgery and neurovascular procedures.
Dr Katherine Lee
Dr Katherine Lee clinical interests include anaesthesia for neurosurgery, orthopaedic and trauma, endoscopy, plastic and reconstructive, bariatric and obstetric and gynaecological surgery.
Dr Ngaroma (Roma) Steele
Dr Ngaroma (Roma) Steele interests include Regional Anaesthesia, Vascular Surgery and Trauma.
Antoinette Le Busque
As the Nurse Practitioner Sydney Gut Clinic, Antoinette works collaboratively as part of the interdisciplinary team.
Dr. Mudar Zand Irani
Dr. Mudar Zand Irani is a Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist with special interest and expertise in gastrointestinal motility disorders, advanced endoscopy, and endoscopic ultrasound.
Dr Nicholas Kortt
Dr Nicholas Kortt is a Consultant Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist with extensive experience in general gastroenterology, hepatology, and advanced endoscopy.
Dr Beatrice Brennan
Dr Beatrice Brennan is a female gastroenterologist and hepatologist who divides her time between working as a consultant gastroenterologist and in public health.
Jodie Hicks
Jodie is a consultant dietitian with specialised expertise in gut health, gastrointestinal conditions, and bariatric and metabolic surgery.
Dr Mark Ghali
Dr Mark Ghali is a gastroenterologist and hepatologist providing comprehensive care for all general gastrointestinal and liver conditions.
FAQs
Can Gastroparesis be cured?
Unfortunately, gastroparesis cannot be cured, but it may be controlled with diet changes and medication.
Could early satiety be a symptom of stomach cancer?
Yes, it could. As stomach cancer progresses, it may cause symptoms like early satiety, indigestion, and vomiting.
How long does early satiety last?
How long the condition lasts depends on what may be causing it. If it continues for weeks, you should see a doctor immediately.
Consult our team of doctors today for treatment and support for early satiety.
Sydney Gut Clinic services are only available to patients in Australia.