If you are bloated, it means you are feeling a sensation of fullness or tightness in the abdomen. This may be accompanied by pain, gas, and belching. If you try to palpate your stomach, it may feel hard. In some cases, bloating can also be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, heartburn, and trouble swallowing, which indicates a gastrointestinal disorder, and is likely not just a one-off incident.
To receive specialized care, especially if you are frequently bloated, make an appointment with a gastroenterologist. This is a specialist who can treat complex gastrointestinal conditions that may be the underlying cause of your bloating.
Let’s talk about how gastroenterologists treat bloating.
Gastrointestinal Conditions That Cause Bloating
First, let’s name the most common GI conditions that have bloating as a symptom:
- Celiac disease
- Lactose intolerance
- Constipation
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Stomach ulcer
Since there are many potential causes of bloating, the gastroenterologist will first find out the underlying cause. They will review your medical history and ask you questions about your diet, lifestyle, and symptoms. The doctor may perform a physical exam and order some tests such as blood work, ultrasound, X-ray, or CT scan.
Treating Bloating Due to Celiac Disease
Celiac disease is a condition in which the body cannot process gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. When someone with celiac disease eats foods containing gluten, the lining of the small intestine becomes inflamed, causing digestive symptoms. Symptoms of celiac disease can be managed by following a strict gluten-free diet. This means avoiding all foods that contain wheat, barley, or rye. For some people, this may also mean avoiding oats, as they are often contaminated with gluten during processing.
Treating Bloating Due to Lactose Intolerance
One way to treat bloating is to take a lactase supplement before consuming dairy products. This can help your body break down the lactose in dairy products, so you don’t experience as much bloating. You can also try avoiding high-lactose foods and instead opt for low-lactose or lactose-free options. For example, you could have yogurt instead of milk or choose cheeses that are lower in lactose content.
Treating Bloating Due to Constipation
There are a number of things you can do to treat constipation and related bloating. These include eating a high-fiber diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, drinking plenty of fluids (at least 8 glasses a day), avoiding caffeine and alcohol, exercising regularly, and taking a fiber supplement, such as psyllium husk or methylcellulose.
Treating Bloating Due to Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
A GI doctor can help identify the triggers that may be causing IBS bloating. Increasing fiber intake and drinking plenty of fluids, managing stress, and increasing intake of probiotics may be helpful in reducing symptoms. Medications such as antispasmodics or antidiarrheals can be used to relieve symptoms.
Treating Bloating Due to Stomach Ulcers
Ulcers may be caused by the use of NSAIDs or an H.pylori bacterial infection. Switching to another anti-inflammatory medication and taking antibiotics for bacterial infection may help ease symptoms of pain and bloating from ulcers. Your gastroenterologist may prescribe medication such as H2 blockers and proton pump inhibitors (PPI) to reduce stomach acid production and allow your ulcer to heal. Carafate forms a coating over the ulcers and prevents them from getting worse.
Austin Gastroenterology for Bloating Treatment
Bloating can be a symptom of many GI conditions. Trust our board-certified gastroenterologists at Austin Gastroenterology to accurately diagnose the cause of your bloating and provide treatment and lifestyle recommendations to reduce the severity of your symptoms and let chronic bloating be a thing of the past. To schedule an appointment with one of our GI doctors, call our clinic nearest you or use our online request form.
