Bloating and bloating warn of many dangerous diseases

Bloating and bloating are a feeling of tightness and discomfort due to increased pressure in the abdominal area, which can progress from mild, moderate to severe. Master, Doctor Le Minh Thuy, Center for Endoscopy and Gastrointestinal Surgery, Tam Anh General Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, said this condition is common and can disappear in a short time. However, in many cases flatulence and bloating are signs of serious digestive diseases.

Digestive infections Occurs due to bacterial or viral infection such as norovirus, rotavirus…, usually tends to subside after a few days. Some patients have severe dehydration, symptoms can last long with abdominal pain, vomiting, continuous loose stools, bloody stools, high fever… need to be examined and treated properly.

Irritable bowel syndrome It is not life-threatening but affects the patient’s quality of life. According to Dr. Thuy, irritable bowel syndrome causes dysfunction and recurs many times, but no physical damage to the intestines is found during tests. Patients often have accompanying symptoms such as intermittent abdominal pain, bloating, the feeling of wanting to defecate… If this condition is not treated, it can cause the body to lack nutrients, malnutrition, and exhaustion.

Gastroparesis is a disorder that affects gastric emptying. The cause is that the nerves that control the stomach do not function correctly, causing food to be digested more slowly. Common symptoms include flatulence, bloating, constipation, rapid satiety, loss of appetite, heartburn, nausea, vomiting, and discomfort.

Intestinal obstruction It can be due to tumors, feces, food residue, Crohn’s disease… Feces and food stuck in the colon lead to bloating, flatulence and are often accompanied by abdominal pain, vomiting or signs of infection.

Peptic ulcer disease Mainly due to infection with Helicobacter pylori (HP) bacteria, irregular eating habits, drinking a lot of beer and alcohol, and sour and spicy foods. In addition to flatulence and bloating, patients may also experience indigestion, abdominal pain, nausea, epigastric pain (the area above the navel), and weight loss.

Pancreatic insufficiency reduces the ability to secrete digestive enzymes, leading to bloating and indigestion. In cases of severe pancreatic insufficiency, the patient has more serious symptoms such as bloating, jaundice, weight loss, loss of appetite, and epigastric pain spreading to the back. If not diagnosed and treated promptly, it can easily lead to complications of malnutrition, decreased bone density, and decreased mobility.

Stomach and colon cancer or some organs such as the liver, pancreas, ovaries, may also have symptoms of bloating and prolonged flatulence. These are dangerous malignant diseases with a high risk of death if not detected and treated promptly.

In addition to being caused by pathology, flatulence and bloating are also the consequences of eating habits, gaining too much weight, chewing gum, smoking, drinking carbonated drinks, eating and drinking too fast and swallowing a lot of air. more than usual… Regularly eat some gas-producing foods such as beans, cabbage, broccoli, cereals, asparagus, onions, pears, wheat, oats, peas, and potatoes. Causes tension and discomfort in the abdomen.

As a side effect of some medications, pregnant women and premenopausal women also experience these symptoms, due to abnormal hormonal changes in the body. Estrogen and progesterone are two important hormones that have a close relationship with the digestive system, which can reduce or increase intestinal motility, leading to bloating and flatulence.

Flatulence and bloating are quite common, but if they last long or are accompanied by other signs, patients need an in-depth examination to be promptly diagnosed and treated for diseases, if any.