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If you get a stomach ache after eating your morning bowl of oatmeal or an oatmeal cookie, determining the specific cause may not be as easy as you think. While your immediate reaction may be to blame the oats, it’s possible that ingredients added to the oats or substances that contaminated the oats during growing or processing may actually be the cause of your stomach woes. Show
Oat AllergyApproximately 2 percent of American adults have food allergies, according to Beaumont Laboratories. While it's possible to have an allergy to oats, oat allergy is uncommon. If you have a wheat allergy, you may have symptoms eating oat products, since oat and wheat fields are near each other during the growing season. Oat and wheat products are often processed in the same manufacturing facilities, as well. Allergy symptoms include stomach discomfort, diarrhea, vomiting and possibly rash, hives, facial swelling, difficulty breathing, weakness or dizziness. Symptoms usually occur within 45 minutes after ingestion. If your symptoms include facial or throat swelling and difficulty breathing, you need emergency medical help immediately. See your doctor for allergy testing if you think you might be allergic to oats.
Celiac DiseaseSymptoms of Oat AllergyLearn More If you have celiac disease, a disorder caused by an inability to eat foods containing gluten, you may have reactions to oat products as well. While oats do not contain gluten, they can be contaminated with wheat, which contains gluten. Symptoms of celiac disease include nausea, diarrhea, gas, bloating, abdominal pain, vomiting and greasy, foul-smelling stools that float. Lactose IntoleranceIf you add milk to your oatmeal, your stomach problems may be due to lactose intolerance. According to the Ohio State University Medical Center, between 30 and 50 million Americans have lactose intolerance, a condition in which they can’t break down lactose, the sugar found in milk, because they lack the enzyme lactase. Lactose intolerance can develop at any time in life and becomes more frequent as people age, so it’s possible that you may be developing it. If you’ve had recent intestinal surgery or a stomach virus, you may develop temporary lactose intolerance because of damage to the villi in the intestines that produce lactase. Symptoms of lactose intolerance include gas, diarrhea, bloating and stomach discomfort within 30 minutes to a few hours after consumption of lactose.
Other AdditionsWheat Bran AllergiesLearn More Additives in your oatmeal may be causing your indigestion. While you can buy oatmeal cereal that consists simply of oats, many commercial oatmeal products contain added sugars, artificial coloring and bits of fruits that could cause stomach problems. Allergy testing can determine what you’re allergic to so you can avoid the substances in other foods. Related ArticlesSymptoms of Oat AllergyLearn More Wheat Bran AllergiesLearn More Lactose & ItchingLearn More HIV & Stomach SymptomsLearn More Causes of Itchy Skin RashLearn More Are Red Spots on the Skin a Gluten Allergy?Learn More Does Old-Fashioned Oatmeal Contain Gluten?Learn More The Signs and Symptoms of Flea Bite Allergies in HumansLearn More Human Skin Rashes From Dogs & CatsLearn More Why Do I Get Indigestion After Eating White Bread?Learn More References
Writer Bio A registered nurse with more than 25 years of experience in oncology, labor/delivery, neonatal intensive care, infertility and ophthalmology, Sharon Perkins has also coauthored and edited numerous health books for the Wiley "Dummies" series. Perkins also has extensive experience working in home health with medically fragile pediatric patients. Can oats make your stomach hurt?You may also experience gastric discomfort when eating oats if you are overly sensitive to high-fiber foods. Keeping a food diary may help you to determine if what you have is an allergy to avenin or a different condition.
Is oatmeal hard on the stomach?One cup of oats contains a little over 8 grams of fiber. "If you have a sensitive stomach, the fiber in the oatmeal may cause you to experience bloating and gas," says Roxana Ehsani, MS, RD, CSSD, LDN, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Media Spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Does oatmeal wreck your gut?Oats contain a unique type of fibre that nourishes and restores healthy gut bacteria. This makes oats a great food to eat every day and they are especially suited to breakfast – porridges, muesli or a smoothie with oats.
Why does oatmeal bloat my stomach?Another issue can be the high levels of soluble fiber in oats. Soluble fiber can cause gas and bloating in some individuals depending on the amount they are consuming.
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