What causes shortness of breath after eating?

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on May 15, 2025.

Official Answer by Drugs.com

The four most common conditions likely to cause shortness of breath after eating are

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Food allergies
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
a Hiatal hernia.

COPD is a progressive lung disease that is more common in people who smoke. The lungs in people with COPD can become hyper-inflated, taking up more room in the chest cavity. Over-filled stomachs can push against the lungs, causing shortness of breath. In addition, the energy required by people with COPD to digest food can also cause significant breathlessness. Inhalers and other medications can help manage COPD symptoms.

GERD is a digestive disorder that affects the band of tissue (sphincter) that separates our esophagus from our stomach. In people with GERD, stomach acid creeps up the esophagus through the faulty sphincter and towards the airways. This can cause inflammation, narrowing, and swelling leading to shortness of breath. Medications that lower acid production usually help.

Shortness of breath after eating isn’t a common symptom of food allergies unless the person also has asthma or is experiencing an anaphylactic reaction, which is a severe type of reaction. If you regularly get short of breath after eating certain foods, keep a food diary to try and identify the most likely cause and talk to your doctor about it. If your shortness of breath is severe and you can’t breathe, go to the emergency room.

A hiatal hernia occurs when the upper part of your stomach bulges up through the hole (hiatus) through which your food tube (esophagus) passes before connecting with your stomach. A small hiatal hernia usually doesn’t cause any symptoms, but a large one can increase pressure around your lungs causing shortness of breath. Medications to relieve heartburn may be tried but sometimes a hiatal hernia requires surgery.

References

COPD Foundation. COPD Foundation Blog. Short of Breath After Eating. https://www.copdfoundation.org/COPD360social/Community/Blog/Article/222/Short-of-Breath-After-Eating.aspx
Wheezing, Shortness of Breath. ACAAI.org. https://acaai.org/allergies/symptoms/wheezing-shortness-of-breath/

Can you take metformin without food?

If you take metformin without food you may end up with an upset stomach, especially if you are just starting treatment. Nausea and vomiting is one of the most common side effects with metformin and can occur in over a quarter of patients. Continue reading

Can you take an antacid with omeprazole?

You can take an antacid with omeprazole if you are still getting symptoms of indigestion because it can take several days for omeprazole to start working. Take omeprazole as directed (usually taken once daily on an empty stomach), and take antacids as needed to relieve indigestion pain after eating. But tell your doctor if several weeks have gone past and omeprazole does not seem to be working or you are still taking antacids. Continue reading

Is famotidine safer than omeprazole for heartburn?

Famotidine is usually the first choice to treat occasional heartburn if your symptoms occur less than two times per week. It can be used as needed, provides quick relief (within 15 to 30 minutes), and is usually less expensive than omeprazole. Omeprazole may be an option if your heartburn occurs two or more days per week. Both products are available without a prescription. Continue reading

What causes shortness of breath after eating?

Read next

Can you take metformin without food?

Can you take an antacid with omeprazole?

Is famotidine safer than omeprazole for heartburn?

See also:

Wegovy

Ozempic

Breztri Aerosphere

Rybelsus

Zepbound

Trulicity

Lantus

Tresiba

Victoza

Levemir

Related medical questions

Related support groups