bloated stomach

[Nerissa]

hi last year had so many problems with uti that became resistant to antibiotics. I think finally infection are gone. Also I have extremely large floppy bowel (which doctors keep saying never seen one so bad. Just to give info on what my bowel is like) I use to have diahorrea but then went to constipation both don’t seem so bad at the moment but just can’t get rid of my bloated stomach which is now leaning on my bladder and all infections have left me with painful bladder syndrome. I personally think it’s just the bloating leaning on the bladder. Does anyone have any suggestions of tablets or vitamins I can take to get rid of the bloating stomach? Really would appreciate it anyone’s advice. As I’m really get depressed with it all and don’t want to take anymore antibiotics or strong painkillers that leave me feeling like a zombie all day 😂thank you in advance

[xjrs]

Here is some research I did into gas and bloating (I've split it into different comment sections):

Gas & Bloating

In studies, when healthy individuals are continuously fed gas into the intestines, they normally evacuate all gas without discomfort, passing more easily when a person is standing than laying down. They can tolerate 1.8 litres per hour and distension is related to the amount of gas within the gut. There is a better tolerance to gas when the gut is relaxed and if it is in the large bowel rather than the small bowel. (3)

Daily evacuation of gas in healthy people is around twenty times, depending on diet. Some foods are fermented in the large intestine producing gases, since they are not completely absorbed in the small intestine. This includes some dietary fibres, starches, complex carbohydrates such as beans and sorbitol and fructose sugars. Beans contain a compound that blocks the intestinal enzyme that helps to digest starches in the small intestine meaning more enters the large intestine thus increasing gas production through fermentation. (3)

Many IBS sufferers complain of excessive gas production, but studies have shown that the volume of gas produced by IBS sufferers is normal (1) (3) (7).

However, gas related pain and bloating in IBS sufferers may be connected to impaired transit of gas (3), resulting in gas retention and distension. However, a study using sophisticated measuring techniques didn’t find excessive retention of gas in IBS subjects (3). In contrast, the transit of solids and liquids didn’t experience significant abnormalities (3). IBS patients demonstrate symptoms such as intestinal gas retention, abdominal distension, and/or abdominal symptoms from an intolerance to intestinal gas loads that would normally be well tolerated by healthy subjects (1) (2) (3) (5) (6). Studies that involved the infusion of gas into the intestines of IBS patients showed impaired gas clearance due to abnormal gut reflexes which lead to delayed gas transit and retention (3).

It is often thought that gas is retained in the large intestine. However, a study of those complaining of bloating had the movement of infused gas tracked through different areas of the intestines using radioactive isotope. It was found that the small intestine was responsible for the impaired gas transit. Other studies found that gas infused into the first part of the small intestine, stayed there, since it was not propelled into further parts of the intestine. However when infused into more distant parts of the intestine, it cleared normally. This means that in IBS patients, the total volume of gas is not increased, but it tends to pool in specific areas resulting in a perception of distension and bloating due to IBS patients being hypersensitive (responsive to stimulation) to the presence of excess gas in these areas. Bloating relates to a feeling that can result from fullness after eating, constipation, functional dyspepsia or IBS (8). Whereas, distension relates to the increase in abdominal girth. Often this perception of distension evolves during the day and resolves overnight. Measuring techniques have found that this distension, that is a wider girth, is real and not just perceived. (3)

In healthy subjects, electromyography, which highlights electrical impulses in the muscles, has shown that there is abdominal muscle contraction in reaction to the volume of infused gas in specific areas, that is, the body adapts to the handling of the excess gas. However, in those complaining of bloating, this reflex contraction does not happen which leads to abdominal protrusion, even though there isn’t a true increase in the overall volume of gas. Subsequently, it is the abnormal control of abdominal muscles that causes the bloating and not necessarily gas in itself. (3)

The Rome Foundation explains the mechanics of bloating and distension (8):

Meals stretch the stomach or intestines causing the bloating sensation.

A brain reflex response to the sensation is to move the diaphragm down into the abdomen and relax the abdominal wall muscles.

Due to the increase in pressure, the abdominal cavity pushes out through the abdominal wall leading to distension (abdomino-phrenic dyssynergia).

Bloating and distension are independent. Some experience bloating and no distension and others have distension without a bloating sensation. The Rome Foundation may treat this with rebreathing techniques, central neuromodulators (drugs to reduce hypersensitivity improving brain regulation of the sensation to raise thresholds for bloating and pain), and less commonly biofeedback with esophageal probes. By treating the brain/gut communication bloating sensation may be reduced thus decreasing the possibility of distension occurring as a reflex to the bloating. (8)

10%-30% of healthy individuals experience bloating often, frequently or greater than 25% of the time meaning that bloating is not just limited to IBS sufferers. Some people who have gained weight might complain of bloating perhaps due to a reduction in volume into which abdominal contents can expand due to abdominal fat stores. As mentioned, weakness in abdominal muscles may also play a part. A third of patients complaining of bloating are unable to do one sit up. In addition to abdominal exercises, physical activity generally may help bloaters. (16) Theoretically, if part of the issue is connected with abnormalities in the gut/brain connection, gut directed hypnotherapy apps such as Nerva may help.

Latterly it has been suggested by scientists that gut microbiota hydrogen and carbohydrate metabolism may be altered in patients with IBS, which contributes to gas formation and abdominal pain (19).

[xjrs]

Probiotics & Gas

Many probiotics contain Lactobacillus spp. or Bifidobacteria spp.. These bacterial strains not only inhibit Clostridia spp. which produce gas, but they also tend not to produce gas on fermenting carbohydrate themselves. (4)

A study of women aged 18 to 65 who suffered from IBS with abdominal pain, bloating, straining and incomplete evacuation where daily given one of 1 × 106 colony forming units (cfu); 1 × 108cfu; 1 × 1010cfu i.e. differing amounts of Bifidobacteria infantis. 1 × 108 cfu, improved abdominal pain and discomfort, bloating, passage of gas, straining, bowel satisfaction, and feelings of incomplete evacuation significantly more than placebo although the other two doses were not better than placebo. No dose significantly improved stool frequency. (5)

[xjrs]

Medications For Gas

Products such as Rennie Deflatine and Wind-eze contain Simeticone which can help with trapped wind and bloating by bringing together the small gas bubbles in the gut to form bigger bubbles, allowing trapped air to pass through the body more easily. (9)

[Nerissa in reply to xjrs]

Thank you i will check it out now thanks again

[xjrs]

Tips For Controlling Gas

There are tips for controlling or relieving gas here:

iffgd.org/gi-disorders/symp...

iffgd.org/gi-disorders/symp...

verywellhealth.com/tips-for...

belmarrahealth.com/yoga-sle...

medicalnewstoday.com/articl...

Note that the last reference contains a recommendation for clove oil. However, there is a suggestion that clove oil is potentially toxic (15).

There is a further section on Treatments Options – here:

iffgd.org/research/research...

which you may find useful, though it is clear that more research is needed.