It is normal to feel full or gassy from time to time. However, if you experience symptoms of a serious gastrointestinal condition, it is important to consult a doctor.
Most people know what it feels like to be full. Your stomach feels packed and distended, and your clothes feel tight around your abdomen. You have likely experienced this after a large holiday meal or after consuming a lot of junk food. There is nothing wrong with feeling a little full now and then.
Burping—especially after eating—is also normal. Passing gas is also healthy; the air that enters must be expelled. Most people pass gas 15-21 times a day.
However, the situation changes when abdominal bloating, burping, and passing gas become a constant part of your life. When gas does not move through the intestines as it should, you may end up suffering from severe abdominal pain.
You do not have to live with chronic uneasiness. The first step toward resolving these issues is identifying what is causing them.
Below are some reasons why you might be experiencing excess gas, abdominal bloating, and pain, as well as signs that it is time to consult your doctor.
Reactions to Food
You swallow air when you eat. Some things that can cause you to swallow too much air include:
· Talking while eating
· Eating or drinking too quickly
· Drinking carbonated beverages
· Drinking through a straw
· Chewing gum or sucking on hard candies
· Having ill-fitting dentures
Some foods produce more gas than others. Some of the foods most likely to cause abdominal distension include:
· beans
· broccoli
· cabbage
· cauliflower
· lentils
· onions
· sprouts
· You may also have food intolerances, such as:
· artificial sweeteners like mannitol, sorbitol, and xylitol
· fiber supplements
· gluten
· fructose
· lactose
If you experience symptoms only occasionally, custody a food diary can help you find problematic foods and avoid them. If you suspect you have a food intolerance or allergy, consult your doctor.
Constipation
You may not realise you are constipated until you begin to feel full. The more time that has passed since your last bowel movement, the more likely you are to experience bloating and a sensation of fullness.
Everyone experiences constipation from time to time. It may resolve on its own. You can also incorporate more fibre into your diet, drink more water, or try over-the-counter remedies for constipation. Consult your doctor if constipation is a frequent problem.
Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI)
If you suffer from exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI), your pancreas does not produce the enzymes necessary for digestion. This makes it hard to absorb nutrients from food. In addition to abdominal bloating, abdominal pain, and diarrhoea, EPI can cause:
· pale-colored stools
· greasy, foul-smelling stools
· stools that stick to the toilet bowl or float and remain tough to flush away
· loss of appetite
· malnutrition
Treatment may include dietary and lifestyle changes, as well as pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT).
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
IBS is a chronic state that affects the large intestine. It makes your system more sensitive to inflammation. It can cause:
· abdominal pain, abdominal discomfort, abdominal bloating
· changes in bowel habits, diarrhoea, and constipation
It is sometimes mentioned to as colitis, spastic colon, or nervous colon. IBS can be managed with routine changes, probiotics, and medications.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
IBD is a general term that encompasses ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. Ulcerative colitis involves inflammation of the great intestine and the rectum. Crohn’s disease involves inflammation of the whole lining of the digestive tract. Abdominal bloating, gas, and abdominal pain may be attended by:
· bloody stools
· fatigue
· fever
· damage of appetite
· severe diarrhea
· weight loss
Action may include anti-inflammatory and anti-diarrheal medications, surgery, and nutritional support.
Diverticulitis
Diverticulosis occurs once weak spots in the colon form small pouches that protrude from the intestinal wall. Diverticulitis occurs when these pouches begin to trap bacteria and become inflamed, producing symptoms such as:
· abdominal pain
· constipation or diarrhoea
· fever
· nausea, vomiting
Depending on the severity of your symptoms, you may require medication, dietary changes, and possibly surgery.
Gastroparesis
Gastroparesis is a illness in which the stomach empties slowly. It can cause abdominal bloating, nausea, and intestinal obstruction.
Treatment may consist of medication, dietary changes, and, in some cases, surgery.
When to See Your Doctor
You likely do not need to see a doctor for occasional abdominal bloating or flatulence. However, some conditions that cause abdominal bloating, flatulence, and abdominal pain can be very serious—even life-threatening. Therefore, it is essential to consult your doctor if:
Over-the-counter medications or changes in eating habits are ineffective.
· You experience unexplained weight loss.
· You have lost your appetite.
· You suffer from chronic or frequent constipation, diarrhoea, or vomiting.
· You experience persistent abdominal bloating, gas, or heartburn.
· Your stool contains blood or mucus.
· You notice important changes in your bowel movements.
· Your symptoms interfere with your daily activities.
Seek immediate medical attention if:
· You experience severe abdominal pain.
· You have severe diarrhoea.
· You feel chest pain.
· You have a high fever.
Your doctor will likely begin by attractive a whole medical history and performing a physical examination. Be sure to reference all your symptoms and how long you have had them. The specific mixture of symptoms can provide important clues to guide diagnostic testing.
Once a diagnosis is reached, you can begin taking steps to achieve your symptoms and improve your overall quality of life.