Vomiting after eating: What you should know?
Find out why you may be feeling nauseous after eating and what you can do about it.
Vomiting after eating: What you should know?
Find out why you may be feeling nauseous after eating and what you can do about it.
Why do I feel like vomiting after eating?
Sometimes, the feeling of throwing up after eating may simply be due to eating too much and becoming very full, but it may also be a sign of a range of gastrointestinal conditions, such as:
Food intolerances
When a person consumes food items they are intolerant to, they may experience an allergic reaction that causes the immune system to produce immunoglobulin E and histamine—vomiting is a common symptom of an allergic reaction.
Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease
This condition is caused by the lower oesophageal sphincter muscle weakening and being unable to close properly, resulting in stomach contents flowing back into the oesophagus, which may make patients vomit.
Gastroenteritis
Gastroenteritis may be caused by an infection in the stomach, usually involving a virus, like a norovirus. Stomach infections like this may cause patients to experience nausea and vomiting.
Stress and anxiety
While stress and anxiety are psychological conditions, they may sometimes cause people to feel like vomiting after eating. Studies have shown that stress and anxiety could affect how the gastrointestinal tract contracts, which may contribute to nausea.
Food intolerances
When a person consumes food items they are intolerant to, they may experience an allergic reaction that causes the immune system to produce immunoglobulin E and histamine—vomiting is a common symptom of an allergic reaction.
Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease
This condition is caused by the lower oesophageal sphincter muscle weakening and being unable to close properly, resulting in stomach contents flowing back into the oesophagus, which may make patients vomit.
Gastroenteritis
Gastroenteritis may be caused by an infection in the stomach, usually involving a virus, like a norovirus. Stomach infections like this may cause patients to experience nausea and vomiting.
Stress and anxiety
While stress and anxiety are psychological conditions, they may sometimes cause people to feel like vomiting after eating. Studies have shown that stress and anxiety could affect how the gastrointestinal tract contracts, which may contribute to nausea.
Food intolerances
When a person consumes food items they are intolerant to, they may experience an allergic reaction that causes the immune system to produce immunoglobulin E and histamine—vomiting is a common symptom of an allergic reaction.
Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease
This condition is caused by the lower oesophageal sphincter muscle weakening and being unable to close properly, resulting in stomach contents flowing back into the oesophagus, which may make patients vomit.
Gastroenteritis
Gastroenteritis may be caused by an infection in the stomach, usually involving a virus, like a norovirus. Stomach infections like this may cause patients to experience nausea and vomiting.
Stress and anxiety
While stress and anxiety are psychological conditions, they may sometimes cause people to feel like vomiting after eating. Studies have shown that stress and anxiety could affect how the gastrointestinal tract contracts, which may contribute to nausea.
What can I do to prevent vomiting?
Limit your movement
Moving around too much when feeling nauseous can trigger vomiting. So, try to avoid too much movement, especially just after you’ve had a meal. When resting, stay in an upright or seated position and avoid lying on your belly.
Avoid strong smells
Some individuals are very sensitive to strong smells, and even the smell of sweetly scented perfumes may trigger nausea. So, when feeling nauseous, it’s best to avoid any strong smells that you usually find to be unpleasant.
Eat crackers and saltines
Eating saltines and crackers may help keep vomiting at bay. They can help absorb stomach acids that irritate the stomach and cause vomiting. Saltines are high in sodium, so it’s best to be mindful about including them in your daily diet.
Drink sweetened liquids
Drinking clear, sweetened liquids, like fruit juice, could help keep nausea and vomiting at bay. Their sugar content may help calm the stomach. Try to avoid beverages made from grapefruit and oranges because they’re too acidic.
Take OTC medication
Medication, like Pepto-Bismol, may help protect the linings of the stomach and prevent vomiting caused by conditions like food poisoning. Before taking OTC medication, make sure to consult your gastrointestinal specialist.
Try breathing exercises
Take a deep breath, allowing your abdomen to expand, and hold it for about three seconds. Then, slowly breathe out, allowing your abdomen to relax. Repeat this exercise several times until the feeling of nausea begins to subside.
What can I do to prevent vomiting?
Limit your movement
Moving around too much when feeling nauseous can trigger vomiting. So, try to avoid too much movement, especially just after you’ve had a meal. When resting, stay in an upright or seated position and avoid lying on your belly.
Avoid strong smells
Some individuals are very sensitive to strong smells, and even the smell of sweetly scented perfumes may trigger nausea. So, when feeling nauseous, it’s best to avoid any strong smells that you usually find to be unpleasant.
Eat crackers and saltines
Eating saltines and crackers may help keep vomiting at bay. They can help absorb stomach acids that irritate the stomach and cause vomiting. Saltines are high in sodium, so it’s best to be mindful about including them in your daily diet.
Drink sweetened liquids
Drinking clear, sweetened liquids, like fruit juice, could help keep nausea and vomiting at bay. Their sugar content may help calm the stomach. Try to avoid beverages made from grapefruit and oranges because they’re too acidic.
Take OTC medication
Medication, like Pepto-Bismol, may help protect the linings of the stomach and prevent vomiting caused by conditions like food poisoning. Before taking OTC medication, make sure to consult your gastrointestinal specialist.
Try breathing exercises
Take a deep breath, allowing your abdomen to expand, and hold it for about three seconds. Then, slowly breathe out, allowing your abdomen to relax. Repeat this exercise several times until the feeling of nausea begins to subside.
What people say about us
Have undergone every test possible over the years without any success.
I would cough everyday even to the point of vomiting.
This was so stressful and debilitating.
I was at the end of the line when I came across Dr Suhirdan in 2021.
He was relentless in his pursuit to find out what the issue was and thankfully he was able to
understand the problem and advise of the correct medication which has
literally given me back my life.
I no longer cough (which is an amazing feeling) and my sleep has been restored. He is so lovely,
caring and extremely knowledgeable. He is a miracle worker and life safer. Dr Suhirdan is an amazing
gastroenterologist, I cannot recommend him highly enough.
beyond all my expectations to sort out my stomach issues.
Having struggled with stomach issues
for years it was refreshing to be treated by such an amazing team lead by Dr Suhirdan.
Keep up the amazing work team Sydney Gut Clinic!
Visit the Sydney Gut Clinic
At the Sydney Gut Clinic, our team of trusted and experienced specialists is dedicated to delivering high-quality care for your gastrointestinal conditions.
If you’re experiencing symptoms like vomiting after eating, get in touch with our team today to receive the support and treatment you need to relieve your symptoms.
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 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.Â
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 Mark Ghali
Dr Mark Ghali is a gastroenterologist and hepatologist providing comprehensive care for all general gastrointestinal and liver conditions.
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 Neil Vanza
Dr Neil Vanza is a specialist anaesthetist working in both public and private practice across Sydney, Australia.
Dr Ramez Zaklama
Dr Ramez Zaklama is a Sydney based anaesthetist who graduated from Monash University with Honours
Dr Kevin Lee
Dr Kevin Lee graduated from The University of New South Wales with a degree in medicine.
Dr Sarah Leighton
Dr Sarah Leighton completed a medical degree at Notre Dame University before pursuing specialist training in anaesthesia at Prince of Wales and Sydney Children’s Hospitals.
FAQ
Could throwing up after eating indicate a serious medical condition?
While vomiting after a meal may not always be a sign of a serious underlying illness, if it continues to happen frequently and is accompanied by other symptoms like severe abdominal pain and fever, a visit to a doctor may be warranted.
Is excessive vomiting harmful?
Yes, it is.Â
If left untreated, excessive vomiting may lead to dehydration and it could damage the lining of the oesophagus.
How should I sleep in if I feel nauseous?
Try lying down while keeping your body in an elevated position, and avoid sleeping on the right side of your body.
Speak to our trained medical team for support and treatment for nausea and vomiting after eating.
Sydney Gut Clinic services are only available to patients in Australia.