[39F] Experiencing chronic bloating and intestinal gas

What might be happening

Based on the information you have provided, possible explanations for your symptoms include:

• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): This is a common disorder that affects the large intestine. Signs and symptoms include cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, gas, and diarrhea or constipation, or both. IBS is a chronic condition that you'll need to manage long term.

  • Treatment of IBS typically involves long-term strategies to manage the condition, such as changes in diet and lifestyle, and sometimes medications.

• Celiac Disease: This is an immune reaction to eating gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. For people with celiac disease, eating gluten triggers an immune response in the small intestine. Over time, this reaction damages the small intestine's lining and prevents absorption of some nutrients (malabsorption). The intestinal damage often causes bloating, diarrhea, and gas.

  • Treatment of celiac disease is a strict gluten-free diet.

• Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity: Some people experience symptoms similar to those of celiac disease, yet lack the antibodies and intestinal damage seen in celiac disease. Doctors call this condition non-celiac gluten sensitivity.

  • As with celiac disease, the treatment is a gluten-free diet.

What you can do

It would be best to consult a doctor about your symptoms so that they can provide a formal assessment and order relevant tests if necessary. In the meantime, you can try the following to narrow down what's going on:

1. Try a gluten-free diet for a week. This includes all wheat, rye, and barley. If your symptoms are due to Celiac Disease or Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity, they should begin to resolve after only a few days of strictly no gluten products.
2. Keep a food diary to track what you eat and how you feel afterwards. This can help identify any food triggers.
3. Try to eat smaller, more frequent meals instead of three large meals a day. This can help prevent your digestive system from becoming overloaded and leading to gas and bloating.
4. Stay hydrated and exercise regularly. Both can help prevent constipation and promote healthy digestion.

What you should look out for

Reasons to see a doctor more urgently:

• If you notice blood in your stool or develop severe abdominal pain
• If you develop a fever (temperature over >100.4°F) or chills
• If you cannot identify a trigger or your symptoms worsen

Remember, this advice is intended to be general in nature, and specific causes may not apply to your situation. Always consult with a healthcare provider for appropriate examination, testing, and care recommendations.