Some of the most common issues that I see patients for at my Plano, TX practice are related to intestinal gas, bloating and abdominal distention. While these symptoms can be embarrassing and frustrating they are usually benign and not indicative of a larger issue. However, if they are coupled with other symptoms as noted below then you will want to get evaluated by a physician to ensure that you do not have a more serious medical issue.
What You Need to Know About Intestinal Gas in Plano, TX
According to the National Institute of Health , intestinal gas is primarily composed of carbon dioxide, oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, and sometimes methane. If you tend to burp or have flatulence a lot you might think that something is wrong. Actually everyone has gas and most people bothered by too much gas do not have excessive amounts of gas but have an increased sensitivity to normal amounts of gas.
Common causes of intestinal gas in Plano, TX are:
- Swallowed Air
- Certain Types of Foods (e.g. milk or wheat products, fatty foods, legumes, fruits)
- Drinking Carbonated Beverages
- Smoking
- Constipation
- Ingesting foods which contain artificial sweeteners lime sorbitol
- Medications
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO)
- Celiac Disease
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease
When should I see a Doctor for Intestinal Gas and Bloating in Plano, TX?
If gas and bloating is accompanied by other symptoms such as diarrhea , constipation, abdominal pain , GI bleeding, fever, nausea and vomiting, anemia or weight loss it may be the sign of a more serious problem. Dr. Malik will be able to assess for the major medical conditions and suggest additional testing as needed which can include stool studies, lactose tolerance or bacterial overgrowth testing, imaging studies, blood tests, and endoscopic evaluations such as EGD or colonoscopy to diagnose and exclude celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, GI malignancies, etc.