Prandial
Prandial relates to a meal. Postprandial means after eating a meal, while preprandial is before a meal.
Usages of postprandial
The term postprandial is used in multiple contexts.Gastronomic or social
Refers to activities performed after a meal, such as drinking cocktails or smoking.Medical
A common use is in relation to blood sugar levels, which are normally measured 2 hours after and before eating in a postprandial glucose test. This is because blood glucose levels usually rise after a meal. The American Diabetes Association recommends a postprandial glucose level under 180 mg/dl and a preprandial plasma glucose between 70 and 130 mg/dl.Other uses of postprandial include:
- Postprandial dip is a mild decrease in blood sugar after eating a big meal.
- Postprandial hyperglycemia is high blood sugar following a meal. It can be evaluated in a postprandial glucose test.
- Postprandial hypotension is a drastic decline in blood pressure which happens after eating a meal.
- Postprandial regurgitation is a unique symptom of rumination syndrome.
- Postprandial thermogenesis is heat production due to metabolism after a meal, temporarily increasing the metabolic rate.
- Postprandial abdominal distension usually refers to bloating of the abdomen following a meal, especially a large one. It is generally harmless, but tends to be uncomfortable. Instances of its sudden onset or prolonged duration can, however, be symptoms of certain severe adverse gastro-intestinal conditions such as irritable bowel disease.
Postprandial abdominal distension is also a documented side effect of some medications.Processes