Have you been feeling full after eating just a small amount of food recently? Sometimes, even eating your favorite meal can take a lot of effort. You may feel nausea after eating even if you try consuming a normal-sized amount.
If you’ve been feeling full after eating little, there are multiple reasons why this may be happening. This condition is known as early satiety, which may make you undernourished.
In this blog, we’ll discuss the possible causes of early satiety.
Possible Causes of Feeling Full After Eating a Small Amount
If you know why you’re feeling full after eating little, it can help you treat the situation better. Your gastroenterologist can recommend the best way to tackle the condition.
Gastroparesis, ulcer, acid reflux, and a stomach bug are some reasons you could feel full soon after eating.
Do I Get Full Fast Due to Gastroparesis?
Gastroparesis is the most frequent cause of feeling full after eating a small amount.
Normally, your stomach crushes food and sends it to your intestines. In this condition, however, the stomach doesn’t contract like it is supposed to. Consequently, the food gathers there, and you start feeling full soon after eating a minimum amount.
Diabetes, infections, and surgeries are some of the reasons why this condition may occur. You might also feel bloated.
Other symptoms of this condition include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Stomach pain
- Shakiness or irritability as your blood sugar level may have dropped low since the food stays in your stomach.
- Constipation
- Heartburn
- Poor appetite
- Weight loss
If the gastroparesis symptoms last for days or weeks, go to a stomach specialist. They can offer the best treatment. The solution could be changing your diet, eating schedule, or taking medications.
Does Feeling Full After Eating a Small Amount Mean an Ulcer?
Did you know a stomach ulcer could be interfering with your normal digestion?
The stomach acids can eat away some parts of your small intestine’s or stomach’s lining. This forms a shallow crater in the lining, known as a peptic ulcer.
A peptic ulcer is more frequent in men than women, often caused by an infection. They may develop as you get older. Moreover, even with treatment, peptic ulcers might come and go over the years.
A peptic ulcer flaring up could make you feel like vomiting. Furthermore, fatigue and weakness of anemia may occur as well. This is because your body doesn’t have sufficient iron to create red blood cells.
If you have this condition, you’ll feel the following:
- Back pain
- Aching in the upper-central part of the abdomen
- A painful feeling on an empty stomach, which may get better with eating
- Pain when sleeping at night
- Heartburn or indigestion
Can Acid Reflux Cause Early Satiety?
Many people experience episodes of GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) after eating. The reason you’re feeling full after eating a small amount could be acid reflux. Hence, the food or corrosive stomach acids flow back to the esophagus and cause discomfort.
Heartburn is the most common symptom of this condition. Besides this, you’ll also notice these signs:
- A bitter or sour aftertaste in your mouth
- Chest pain
- Dry cough
- Sore throat
- Hoarseness
- Feeling like there’s a lump present in your throat
- Trouble swallowing
Dietary alterations, lifestyle changes, and medications are some of the factors that may help eliminate this condition.
What to Do?
If you’re feeling full after eating a small amount of food, visit our specialists at Gastroenterology. You can schedule an appointment at (281) 357 1977.