Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Suggest Treatment For Belching, Bloating And Increased Gas In The Stomach
Question: Hi I have been suffering from bloating in the stomach and lots of gas over the past few months. I am not sick with it just annoying gas and bloat. I'm a male and was working night shift for a year but now on days the last 3 weeks.
Brief Answer:
there are a few things you can try
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
increased gas may have various causes. I'll name some:
- eating very fast: when we eat too fast, we swallow more air. This air may cause belching, bloating and increased gas.
- lactose intolerance: milk contains lactose. Some people have a faulty lactase (the enzyme that breaks lactose down). Lactose, if not metabolized properly, will be used by the intestinal flora and cause gas production (and perhaps diarrhea)
- chewing gums: too much chewing causes swallowing of air.
- carbonated drinks
- too much fiber: eating a lot of fiber produces excessive air, which is normal.
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): IBS causes increased intolerance to intestinal stimuli and perhaps abnormal intestinal motility. Bloating and increased gas (perhaps also diarrhea) are common symptoms.
etc
So in conclusion, you can try to avoid eating very fast, using carbonated drinks, chewing gums, eating a lot of fiber (but not any fiber at all, fiber is useful for the bowels), drinking milk (other dairy products are OK) and treating IBS if your doctor has diagnosed this condition.
I hope you find my comments helpful!
You can contact me again, if you'd like any clarification or further information.
Kind Regards!
there are a few things you can try
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
increased gas may have various causes. I'll name some:
- eating very fast: when we eat too fast, we swallow more air. This air may cause belching, bloating and increased gas.
- lactose intolerance: milk contains lactose. Some people have a faulty lactase (the enzyme that breaks lactose down). Lactose, if not metabolized properly, will be used by the intestinal flora and cause gas production (and perhaps diarrhea)
- chewing gums: too much chewing causes swallowing of air.
- carbonated drinks
- too much fiber: eating a lot of fiber produces excessive air, which is normal.
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): IBS causes increased intolerance to intestinal stimuli and perhaps abnormal intestinal motility. Bloating and increased gas (perhaps also diarrhea) are common symptoms.
etc
So in conclusion, you can try to avoid eating very fast, using carbonated drinks, chewing gums, eating a lot of fiber (but not any fiber at all, fiber is useful for the bowels), drinking milk (other dairy products are OK) and treating IBS if your doctor has diagnosed this condition.
I hope you find my comments helpful!
You can contact me again, if you'd like any clarification or further information.
Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for your reply.
What would be a good treatment for IBS??
Is there any tests that can be done to pin point the problem?
Regards, XXXXXXX
What would be a good treatment for IBS??
Is there any tests that can be done to pin point the problem?
Regards, XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
this is diagnosis of exclusion
Detailed Answer:
You're welcome!
Your doctor should first exclude other diagnoses before diagnosing IBS. There are no specific tests for it. You should first exclude other conditions that cause similar symptoms and there are some criteria which take into account clinical details. A colonoscopy would help to exclude other causes in the intestine.
The treatment depends...
First of all you should follow the general advice I've provided in my first answer. Some patients find a reduced fiber consumption beneficial while the exact opposite applies for the others! Patients with diarrhea usually do better with reduced fiber. Patients with constipation do better with increased fiber.
Besides that, there are some drugs (spasmolytics) that help the smooth muscle of the intestine relax and reduce the symptoms. Prescribing them is up to your doctor. The diagnosis has to be established first!
Kind Regards!
this is diagnosis of exclusion
Detailed Answer:
You're welcome!
Your doctor should first exclude other diagnoses before diagnosing IBS. There are no specific tests for it. You should first exclude other conditions that cause similar symptoms and there are some criteria which take into account clinical details. A colonoscopy would help to exclude other causes in the intestine.
The treatment depends...
First of all you should follow the general advice I've provided in my first answer. Some patients find a reduced fiber consumption beneficial while the exact opposite applies for the others! Patients with diarrhea usually do better with reduced fiber. Patients with constipation do better with increased fiber.
Besides that, there are some drugs (spasmolytics) that help the smooth muscle of the intestine relax and reduce the symptoms. Prescribing them is up to your doctor. The diagnosis has to be established first!
Kind Regards!
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
