A review of current evidence on food allergies during pregnancy - Tufail - 2023 - Food Science & Nutrition
Bloating With Any Of These 4 Symptoms Could Signal Something Deadly Warns Doctor
You need to see a doctor if your bloating comes with any one of four symptoms, an expert said (Image: Getty)
A doctor has warned people of the four signs they need to seek medical help when experiencing bloating. The expert explained that "mild" bloating after eating is normal but in some cases it could be a signal of something more serious.
NHS surgeon Doctor Karan Rajan, who is best known online as Dr Raj, revealed more on social media platform TikTok. In response to another creator's video about poor gut health, he said: "You will be shocked how many people don't know that some mild bloating after eating is common and normal especially if you've had high fibre foods, carbonated beverages or had a large meal."
He then warned when you need to be worried. "Bloating only becomes concerning when it's painful, persistent, or associated with other symptoms like blood in the stool diarrhoea or significant weight loss."
If your bloating lasts three weeks or more you should see your GP, the NHS says (Image:
Getty)According to the NHS, the most common reason for bloating is having a lot of gas in your gut. This can be caused by certain foods and drinks or by swallowing air when you eat.
It can also be caused by a problem with your digestion, such as:
Some people also feel bloated around the time of their period or if they have a condition like endometriosis. But the NHS warns: "Sometimes, bloating that does not go away can be a sign of something more serious such as ovarian cancer."
Bloating that is accompanied by blood in your poo could also be an indicator of bowel cancer. This is one of the most deadly forms of the disease in the UK.
Some of the main signs of bowel cancer include:
Image:
Getty)Unexpected weight loss is also a general sign of cancer, which when combined with bloating, should prompt a visit to your doctor. Overall though, if you experience any of the signs above you should speak to your GP.
To reduce bloating, the NHS recommends you:
Find out about the symptoms you need to watch out for and get health advice with our free health newsletter from the Mirror
The health body says you should see your GP if you've been feeling bloated for three weeks or more, you feel bloated regularly (more than 12 times a month), you've tried changing your diet but keep feeling bloated or you have a swelling or lump in your tummy. Also see a GP if you have bloating along with being sick, diarrhoea, constipation, weight loss or blood in your poo, or you find it difficult to move or do daily activities because you're bloated.
Types Of Diets And Tips On What To Eat With IBS
Avoiding certain carbohydrates, monitoring your fiber intake, and opting for low fat foods are all strategies that may help you manage symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
For some people, symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), like abdominal pain, bloating, and diarrhea, can affect everyday life.
Medical intervention is important in treating IBS, but certain diets may also help. In fact, around 8 in 10 people with IBS find that particular foods worsen their symptoms.
Learn about the most common diets that can help ease IBS symptoms.
The acronym "FODMAP" stands for "fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols."
FODMAPs are fermentable sugars that may cause gastrointestinal distress in some people. They're usually more difficult to digest and absorb, so they can pass through the small intestines and end up in the colon intact, where they are fermented by bacteria.
This fermentation in the colon produces the gas associated with IBS symptoms like bloating, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.
FODMAPs also pull water into your intestines, which may contribute to distention (abdominal swelling).
A low FODMAP diet is a type of elimination diet. It involves limiting your intake of high FODMAP foods for 4 to 6 weeks to see if symptoms improve, then gradually reintroducing foods to find out which ones worsen your symptoms.
A 2019 review found that around 3 in 4 people with IBS who tried a low FODMAP diet experienced improvements in symptoms.
Although this diet eliminates some fruits, vegetables, and dairy products, it's important to note that it doesn't remove all foods in these categories.
Low FODMAP foods you can eat on this diet may include:
To avoid nutritional deficiencies, consider speaking with a healthcare professional or a registered dietitian before starting the low FODMAP diet.
A 2023 review suggests that fiber absorbs water in your gut, which helps bulken and soften your stool. This could help:
The review authors note that soluble fibers are recommended for IBS, not insoluble fibers. Insoluble fibers may worsen IBS symptoms, especially if you experience excessive intestinal gas, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends that adults consume 22 to 34 grams (g) of fiber daily, depending on their sex and age. However, more than 9 out of 10 adults fall short of this.
If you're finding it difficult to eat more fiber, consider speaking to a registered dietitian or doctor about incorporating more high fiber foods or fiber supplements into your diet.
Gluten is a protein found in grains like barley, rye, and wheat that may damage the intestines of people who have a gluten-related disorder, such as celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS).
For instance, a 2016 study involving 41 people with IBS found that following a gluten-free diet for 6 weeks reduced symptoms. Those who followed the diet for 18 months continued to have decreased symptoms.
That said, a 2018 review found that there isn't enough high quality research to support a gluten-free diet for IBS.
Consider eliminating gluten from your diet for 1 week to see if your symptoms improve, then gradually reintroduce foods to see if symptoms reappear.
These are traditionally made from wheat, which contains gluten.
However, many of these foods can be gluten-free if they're made from ingredients like oats, rice, spelt, beans, and potato starch.
You can find gluten-free versions of your favorite products in health-food stores and many grocery stores.
It's important to note that gluten-free diets are only necessary for people with celiac disease, and they may be helpful for people with NCGS and other gluten-related disorders.
Regularly consuming high fat foods is associated with various health conditions and may worsen IBS symptoms.
Healthcare professionals may recommend a low fat diet for IBS, especially if you experience frequent diarrhea. This may involve eating fewer than 27 g of fat per day.
More research is needed to fully support the benefits of a low fat diet for IBS.
However, healthcare organizations like the United Kingdom's National Health Service (NHS) recommend minimizing your intake of fatty, spicy, and processed foods. This may include fried and greasy foods.
A low fat diet might involve focusing on eating the following foods:
The foods that you should eat or limit may depend on several factors, such as your dietary needs, IBS symptoms, and the foods you can tolerate.
Everyone's IBS diet will be different, and you may end up consuming a combination of different diets.
The table below highlights some foods to consider eating and limiting, but it's important to note that this isn't an exhaustive list:
It's important to monitor your symptoms and talk with a healthcare professional before starting a new diet.
What food is best to eat if you have IBS?
The best foods for IBS may depend on your individual symptoms and needs. In general, you may benefit from consuming foods such as berries, oatmeal, gluten-free foods, lean meats, lactose-free dairy products, and stevia.
What organ does IBS affect the most?
IBS affects your digestive tract, which includes vital organs like your colon, intestines, stomach, mouth, and pancreas.
Is pasta good for IBS?
Pasta is typically made of wheat, a component of food that most people with IBS react to. Rice-based pasta is a great alternative if you need to avoid gluten completely. Chickpea pasta may be suitable if you're sensitive to gluten, but it should be limited if you need to avoid high FODMAP foods.
How to calm an irritable bowel?
Making dietary changes may help calm the symptoms of IBS. This may include eating foods containing soluble fiber and temporarily limiting your intake of high fat foods, FODMAPs, and gluten.
Several foods and dietary habits may trigger symptoms of IBS like abdominal pain, bloating, and flatulence.
Foods high in FODMAPs, gluten-containing grains, and high fat foods are some common IBS triggers.
If you frequently experience IBS, limiting certain foods for 4 to 6 weeks may help relieve symptoms. If symptoms improve, gradually add foods back into your diet to identify specific triggers.
Any elimination diet should be done with the assistance of a registered dietitian or gastrointestinal specialist.
If you're unsure about the foods to eat or limit, speak with a healthcare professional. They could help develop an IBS diet for you.
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