A concerned reader has asked, "I am 55 years old. I work in a company. I don't have stomach problems in the morning but after lunch I get bloated and flatulence occurs. I feel embarrassed at work and at home. What is the cause of this problem? Is there a solution?"
Doctor Subhashini Venkatesh is a Chennai based general practician, she has over two decades of experience and she is a specialist in the treatment of colorectal diseases, she has given the reasons for bloating and hacks to tackle them by avoiding certain foods and doing some positive lifestyle changes.
Along with gas, bloating, pain in the upper or lower abdomen, diarrhoea, difficulty in passing stools, bloody stools, pale coloured stool, sudden weight loss without any reason, loss of appetite, aversion towards food are symptoms of serious gut health concern.
People who are suffering from these symptoms should consult a general practitioner or gastroenterologist immediately.
People suffering from flatulence and bloating should avoid dairy. Curd and buttermilk are fine but milk and milk solids should be avoided. To check if you are allergic to gluten you can avoid wheat and wheat based products for few days to see if that makes a difference. Carbohydrate rich foods, salty foods can also cause bloating and flatulence.
Some people eat too much fruits and vegetables thinking that fibre is good. That is also wrong. Too much fibre can cause stomach problems, so it is better to keep them in moderation. Some people can also get this problem due to foods that have too much onions, garlic and spices.
While eating, chew each mouthful of food thoroughly, infuse it with your saliva and swallow slowly.
Today, however, many people have developed the habit of eating quickly. When we eat like that, we unknowingly swallow a lot of air. It can also be the reason behind flatulence and bloating. Avoid processed foods and eat only well-cooked and home cooked foods.
Alcohol should be avoided. Drink plenty of water. Follow exercises that tighten the abdominal muscles, obesity can be a reason for bloating and flatulence.
If you have these problems after the age of 50 or if you have had stomach problems like ulcers in the past, consult a doctor and get an endoscopy done. One in a million chance but bloating can be a sign of cancer. So, please don't ignore bloating if it is a recurring story.