Gas/Bloating

Gas and bloating can be very common. In some cases, they can interfere with daily activities. Belching is often accompanied by bloating, pain, or swelling of the abdomen, which can be uncomfortable. Even though it is uncomfortable, it is not always tied to a serious underlying health condition.

What is Gas/Bloating?

The gas buildup present in the digestive tract is caused by the body trying to digest undigested food by bacteria found in the bowel. Gas or flatulence can also occur when the body’s digestive system is unable to break down certain components in food.

Bloating is the feeling of having a full stomach and can be visibly seen in terms of measurable abdominal size. People who are suffering from bloating don’t get relief from passing gas or having bowel movements.

What causes Gas/Bloating?

Gas can be caused by the swallowing or air, including while eating, drinking, or smoking. A variety of foods can produce gas including beans, broccoli, fruit, wheat, potatoes, corn, noodles, and dairy. The trapping of air throughout the digestive tract can cause bloating. Some patients will have bloating after certain types of surgery on the stomach.

A variety of disorders can also cause excessive or bloating:

• Blockages from adhesions (scar tissue) or tumors
• Diabetes
• Celiac disease
• Pancreatic insufficiency
• Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth
• Giardia infection
• Lactose or fructose intolerance
• Gastroparesis (slow stomach emptying)
• Constipation
• Irritable bowel syndrome

If you have additional symptoms you should see your healthcare provider:

• Diarrhea
• Unintentional weight loss
• Abdominal pain
• Blood in stool
• Vomiting
• Fever
• Loss of appetite

Common treatments for Gas/Bloating

If you are prone to being gassy after ingesting specific types of food, you can eliminate this food source to avoid the problem.

You can also try over-the-counter medicine such as Dairy Ease or Lactaid if you are feeling gassy after consuming dairy products, or Beano when eating certain beans or vegetables. Medications containing Simethicone may also help. Some patients benefit from probiotics or activated charcoal

For people with frequent and painful symptoms from gas and bloating, it is recommended to see a doctor to make sure that there is no underlying health condition. A doctor can also look at your whole medical history and come up with a treatment plan to minimize these symptoms.