In April 2020, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requested the removal of all forms of prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) ranitidine (Zantac) from the United States market. They made this recommendation because unacceptable levels of NDMA, a probable carcinogen (or cancer-causing chemical), were present in some ranitidine products. People taking prescription ranitidine should talk with their doctor about safe alternative options before stopping the drug. People taking OTC ranitidine should stop taking the drug and talk with a healthcare professional about alternative options. Instead of taking unused ranitidine products to a drug take-back site, a person should dispose of them according to the product’s instructions or by following the FDA’s guidance.
Shortness of breath after eating can be an uncomfortable or distressing experience but is typically not a cause for concern. Possible causes include food allergies, inhaling food particles, and acid reflux.
There are many possible reasons why a person may feel out of breath after eating. The treatments differ depending on the cause.
This article outlines some of these causes and information on treatments and when to contact a doctor.
2. Inhaling food particles
Occasionally, people may inhale small particles of food or liquid while eating. This is called pulmonary aspiration.
People with healthy lungs are typically able to cough up these particles. Coughing can cause temporary shortness of breath and possibly a sore throat.
When a person’s lungs cannot bring up the particles, the person may develop aspiration pneumonia. This occurs when particles cause an infection inside the air sacs of one or both lungs.
Symptoms of aspiration pneumonia include:
- chest pain
- wheezing
- shortness of breath
- a cough producing foul-smelling, green, or bloody phlegm
- unpleasant breath odor
- difficulty swallowing
- fever
- excessive sweating
- fatigue
Treatment for aspiration pneumonia depends on a person’s overall health and the severity of their condition. In most cases, a doctor will prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection.
3. Heartburn
A person experiencing heartburn may feel short of breath after eating or start to wheeze. This is due to stomach acid flowing back up the pipe that connects the stomach to the mouth, known as the esophagus.
Heartburn is a common symptom of acid reflux. When acid rises back up into a person’s throat, it can irritate the airways and cause them to swell. This can cause breathing difficulties.
Other common symptoms of heartburn include:
- feeling of warmth, heat, or burning in the chest or throat
- burning sensation in the middle of the chest
- burning, indigestion-like pain
- a foul, acidic taste in the mouth
Difficulty breathing can also be a symptom of persistent acid reflux, known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
A person may wish to speak with their doctor about treating heartburn symptoms with medicines, including:
- proton pump inhibitors, which work by reducing the amount of stomach acid
- antacids, which are medications that neutralize stomach acid
- H2 blockers, which reduce the amount of stomach acid by binding to cells that stimulate hydrochloric acid production in the stomach
Making lifestyle and dietary changes may also ease or help prevent heartburn. People who experience heartburn may find relief by avoiding acidic foods and caffeine.
Exercising frequently, eating smaller meals, reaching or maintaining a moderate weight, and staying upright after eating can all help to alleviate heartburn symptoms.
4. Hiatus hernia
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A hiatus hernia can cause pain in the middle or upper abdomen.
A hernia occurs when an organ or tissue squeezes into a part of the body where it does not belong.
A hiatus hernia is where the stomach bulges up into the chest through the muscle wall that separates the diaphragm and the abdomen. A hiatus hernia can cause shortness of breath that worsens after eating.
A paraesophageal hernia is a type of hiatus hernia that occurs when the stomach squeezes up next to the esophagus. If it grows too big, it can push on the diaphragm and squash the lungs, causing chest pain and shortness of breath. These symptoms may be worse after eating, as a full stomach increases the pressure on the diaphragm.
Some paraesophageal hernias do not require treatment. However, a person may require surgery if they experience the following symptoms:
- chest pain
- pain in the middle or upper abdomen
- difficulty swallowing
- stomach ulcer
- GERD
A surgeon will usually repair a paraesophageal hernia using keyhole surgery, or laparoscopic surgery. They will place a tiny lighted camera, called a laparoscope, into the esophagus to view and move the stomach back into position.
Laparoscopic surgery is a minimally invasive procedure, and most people make a full recovery within 4 weeks.
5. GERD-related asthma
People who have asthma may experience shortness of breath after eating, particularly if they also have GERD.
What is asthma?
Asthma is a disease affecting the airways within the lungs. In asthma, allergens or irritants entering the airway cause them to narrow. This triggers a range of respiratory symptoms, including:
- shortness of breath
- wheezing
- coughing
- tightness in the chest
What is GERD?
GERD is a digestive disorder affecting the muscles in the esophagus, which is the tube that connects the mouth and stomach.
Typically, the muscles in the esophagus narrow after eating to keep the food in the stomach. When a person has GERD, these muscles do not close up completely, allowing stomach acid and partially digested food to travel back up into the esophagus. This acid reflux can cause heartburn.
What is the link between GERD and asthma?
People with asthma are at a higher risk of developing GERD.
In GERD-related asthma, stomach acid irritates the nerve endings in the esophagus. The brain responds by narrowing the small airways in the lungs, which triggers asthma symptoms.
Sometimes, a person might inhale stomach acid into their lungs. This irritates the airways and can cause breathing difficulties, coughing, and chest tightness.
Treatment
The key to treating GERD-related asthma is to treat acid reflux. Treatments include:
- OTC medications such as Pepcid A-C
- eating five or six small meals a day rather than three large meals
- wearing loose clothing around the waistline
- avoiding lying down within 3 hours of eating
- quitting smoking
People with GERD may also choose to avoid the following foods, which may trigger acid reflux in some people:
- fried and fatty foods
- alcohol
- caffeinated drinks
- chocolate
- peppermint
- citrus fruits
- onions
- garlic
- tomato-based products
- spicy foods
6. COPD
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A persistent cough and tightness in the chest are potential symptoms of COPD.
COPD, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, is a progressive lung disease that makes it difficult for the body to move air into and out of the lungs.
People with COPD may experience shortness of breath, resulting in reduced energy levels. This can make everyday activities difficult.
Because breathing and digestion both require a lot of energy, some people with COPD may become breathless after eating meals.
Other common symptoms of COPD include:
- frequent coughing
- tightness in the chest
- wheezing
Having a full stomach or a bloated abdomen can worsen breathing difficulties in people with COPD. People may find their symptoms ease if they eat small, frequent meals instead of fewer large meals.
The COPD Foundation offers some other tips for reducing shortness of breath after eating, including:
- taking time to digest after eating a meal
- eating slowly
- eating foods that require less chewing, such as mashed potatoes or soup
- eating fewer sugary foods that can cause tiredness
- restricting foods that cause bloating, such as raw fruit and vegetables
- avoiding lying down after meals
- avoiding eating while short of breath, as this can trap gas, which worsens breathing difficulties
People who experience ongoing shortness of breath after meals should contact a doctor. The doctor will conduct tests to determine the underlying cause and may prescribe medications to ease symptoms.
Sometimes, shortness of breath can indicate a serious underlying medical condition. According to the American Lung Association, it is important to seek medical attention if shortness of breath occurs while at rest, lasts longer than 30 minutes, or occurs alongside any of the following:
- pain or pressure in the chest
- difficulty breathing when lying flat
- wheezing
- lightheadedness or dizziness
- fever, chills, and cough
- blue tinge to the lips or fingertips
- swelling of the feet or ankles
Summary
Breathing difficulties that occur after eating may be a one-off symptom caused by breathing in a small particle of food or liquid.
However, people who experience shortness of breath after every meal or eating certain foods should contact a doctor to find out the cause. Treatment will depend on the underlying cause of the breathlessness.
Sometimes, breathing difficulties can suggest a serious underlying medical condition. It can help to know the signs and symptoms that indicate a need for urgent medical attention.
Many people experience digestive and health problems caused by eating gluten or wheat. If you or your child is experiencing an intolerance to gluten or wheat, there are three different medical conditions that could explain what’s going on: celiac disease, wheat allergy, or non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS).
Gluten is a protein in wheat, barley, and rye. Wheat is a grain used as an ingredient in breads, pastas, and cereal. Wheat often appears in foods like soups and salad dressings as well. Barley is commonly found in beer and in foods containing malt. Rye is most often found in rye bread, rye beer, and some cereals.
Keep reading to learn the common symptoms and causes of celiac disease, wheat allergy, or NCGS so that you can begin to understand which of these conditions you might have.
Symptoms of wheat allergy
Wheat is one of the top eight food allergens in the United States. A wheat allergy is an immune response to any of the proteins present in wheat, including but not limited to gluten. It’s most common in children. Around 65 percent of children with a wheat allergy outgrow it by the age of 12.
Symptoms of wheat allergy include:
- nausea and vomiting
- diarrhea
- irritation of your mouth and throat
- hives and rash
- nasal congestion
- eye irritation
- difficulty breathing
Symptoms related to a wheat allergy will usually begin within minutes of consuming the wheat. However, they can begin up to two hours after.
The symptoms of a wheat allergy can range from mild to life-threatening. Severe difficulty breathing, known as anaphylaxis, can sometimes occur. Your doctor will likely prescribe an epinephrine auto-injector (such as an EpiPen) if you’re diagnosed with a wheat allergy. You can use this to prevent anaphylaxis if you accidentally eat wheat.
Someone who is allergic to wheat may or may not be allergic to other grains such as barley or rye.
Symptoms of non-celiac gluten sensitivity
There is increasing evidence for a gluten-related condition that causes symptoms in people who don’t have celiac disease and are not allergic to wheat. Researchers are still trying to discover the exact biological cause of this condition, known as NCGS.
There’s no test that can diagnose you with NCGS. It’s diagnosed in people who experience symptoms after eating gluten but test negative for wheat allergy and celiac disease. As more and more people go to their doctor reporting unpleasant symptoms after eating gluten, researchers are trying to characterize these conditions so that NCGS can be better understood.
The most common symptoms of NCGS are:
- mental fatigue, also known as “brain fog”
- fatigue
- gas, bloating, and abdominal pain
- headache
Because no laboratory test exists for NCGS, your doctor will want to establish a clear connection between your symptoms and your consumption of gluten to diagnose you with NCGS. They may ask you to keep a food and symptom journal to determine that gluten is the cause of your problems. After this cause is established and your tests come back normal for wheat allergy and celiac disease, your doctor may advise you to begin a gluten-free diet. There is a correlation between autoimmune disorders and gluten sensitivity.
When to see a doctor
If you think you might suffer from a gluten- or wheat-related condition, then it’s important that you talk to your doctor before diagnosing yourself or beginning any treatment on your own. An allergist or gastroenterologist can run tests and discuss your history with you to help reach a diagnosis.
It’s especially important to see a doctor in order to rule out celiac disease. Celiac disease can lead to severe health complications, especially in children.
Because there’s a genetic component to celiac disease, it can run in families. This means that it’s important for you to confirm if you have celiac disease so you can advise your loved ones to get tested as well. More than 83 percent of Americans who have celiac disease are undiagnosed and unaware they have the condition, according to the advocacy group Beyond Celiac.
Getting diagnosed
To diagnose celiac disease or wheat allergy, your doctor will need to conduct a blood or skin prick test. These tests are dependent on the presence of gluten or wheat in your body in order to work. This means that it’s important not to begin a gluten-free or wheat-free diet on your own before seeing a doctor. The tests may come back incorrect with a false negative, and you won’t have a proper understanding of what’s causing your symptoms. Remember, NCGS has no formal diagnosis.
Living a gluten-free or wheat-free lifestyle
The treatment for celiac disease is adhering to a strict gluten-free diet. The treatment for a wheat allergy is to adhere to a strict wheat-free diet. If you have NCGS, the extent to which you need to eliminate gluten from your lifestyle depends on the severity of your symptoms and your own tolerance level.
Many gluten-free and wheat-free alternatives to common foods are available such as bread, pasta, cereals, and baked goods. Be aware that wheat and gluten can be found in some surprising places. You might even spot them in ice cream, syrup, vitamins, and food supplements. Be sure to read the ingredient labels of the foods and beverages you consume to make sure they don’t contain wheat or gluten.
Your allergist, gastroenterologist, or primary care doctor can advise you on which grains and products are safe for you to eat.
Takeaway
Wheat allergy, celiac disease, and NCGS have many similarities in their causes and symptoms. Understanding which condition you may have is important so that you can avoid the proper foods and follow appropriate treatment recommendations. You’ll also be able to advise your loved ones about whether they may be at risk for the same condition
