bloating

[HP12]

hi all,

I’ve been bloated for over a month now, everyday from the moment I wake up to when I go to bed. Nothing relieves it. I’ve had 2 blood tests, a FIT test & a stool sample. All came back normal barring a slightly low B12.

any suggestions?

[Capan24]

There are certain foods that can trigger gas and bloating. Dairy can be a problem if you are lactose intolerant, gluten can be a problem if you have sensitivity, too much fiber can contribute to gas too and even using artificial sweeteners. You could try eliminating one thing at a time from your diet and see if it helps. But if your doctor wants to test you for celiac disease don't stop gluten because it has to be detected to see if you have a problem with it. Irritable bowel syndrome can cause gas and bloating too. One of the most effective diets for managing IBS is the Low-FODMAP diet. This diet limits certain types of carbohydrates that are poorly absorbed in the gut and can cause gas, bloating, and other gastrointestinal symptoms. So sometimes following a specific diet can help. It's hard to figure out and takes time.

[HP12 in reply to Capan24]

Hi thanks! I wonder if it is an intolerance. However, I have been tested for celiac & IBS which came back normal.

[Capan24 in reply to HP12]

Irritable bowel syndrome is typically diagnosed based on your symptoms, medical history, and ruling out other symptoms. The stool test they did was probably to rule out infection, malabsorption, and to detect inflammation like in Crohn's disease. I was tested a long time ago for celiacs disease, but it came back negative. You can have a gluten sensitivity without testing positive for celiacs disease. Just means you don't have the autoimmune component that is associated with celiacs disease. I feel much better since I stopped eating gluten. I also don't eat any dairy because I am lactose intolerant. You could still try eliminating gluten from your diet to see if you feel better and then try eliminating the dairy. It would take a while before you did see any kind of results though. Symptoms of non gluten Celiac sensitivity can include abdominal pain, bloating, fatigue, headache, and brain fog. These symptoms overlap with those of IBS, making diagnosis challenging. Very important that you eat a very healthy diet for your gut. An imbalance in the gut microbiome can increase sensitivity to foods that were previously well tolerated. You just have to see what works best for you. Good luck in your journey and I hope you figure things out.

[ExCarer]

Is the bloating above or below the belly button? if it is main;y below it could be Diverticular disease which I have had for over 30 yrs since the menopause. in my colon. Buscopan can help as needed and stopping one item of food for 2 weeks then restart to see if that one is a problem, as already mentioned. I avoid white bread, pasta spaghetti,sweet corn but everyone is different. Ask your GP if you should have an MRI or similar to look at your bowel. We have 30ft of it and over time the muscle can loose tone and cause weak bits where foods can collect. It is a nuisance but liveable with. Keep going!!