Diet may be cause of excess gas

May 19, 2011 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I have an odd question. I have found myself burping a lot, and, as a woman, this is embarrassing. What is the cause of excess gas? Sometimes I have it so badly it hurts my chest.

DEAR READER: Generally, stomach gas is caused by the digestion of certain foods. Excess stomach acid, acid reflux and swallowing excess air when eating too quickly can also cause burping and gas pain. I suggest that you modify your diet first. Try using Beano or another over-the-counter gas reducer. If these fail to help, make an appointment with your physician to discuss the situation.

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Noisy flatulence embarrasses, worries reader

April 17, 2011 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I am a 61-year-old female who tries to eat healthy and exercise, and sometimes I do better than others. But in the past year, I have been suffering from the increasing embarrassment of noisy flatulence, and it doesn’t seem to matter what I eat. No pain, except that of embarrassment. I read that it is usually dietary, but it doesn’t seem to make a difference. Beano did nothing.

A friend suggested taking acidophilus. Is this a good idea? If so, how much? I don’t want to go through unnecessary testing, but could this be a symptom of some other problem or is it something one should expect as we age? I guess you can’t die of embarrassment, but sometimes I avoid going out with others.
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Post-surgical gas may be caused by pain meds

November 28, 2010 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: In a recent article, someone was asking why they started vomiting and having gas after having had surgery the day before. I have experienced this after some of my surgeries and for me, it was that I can’t tolerate certain pain medications. Once I am switched to one I can handle, everything gets better.

Just an idea, for what it’s worth. I always read your column and enjoy it.

DEAR READER: Your idea definitely has merit. Medication sensitivity can cause a host of difficulties, including stomach upset, itching, nausea, allergic reaction and more. Pain medication, especially narcotics, is especially known for causing gastric issues in some users and addiction (typically in chronic users).
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Post-op symptoms unpleasant

October 8, 2010 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I just had surgery on my right shoulder, and the day following, I began vomiting and having gas every time I ate. My doctor blames these events on the anesthesia during my four-hour surgery. Is there anything I can do?

DEAR READER: General anesthesia takes a person from a conscious to an unconscious state so an invasive surgical procedure can be performed. Anesthesiologists, nurse anesthetists and other trained professionals determine the amount of anesthesia to be administered, depending on the procedure to be performed. Some people remain anesthetized for a short time during a relatively simple process and are released the same day. Others, such as yours, take substantially longer and require hospitalization for several days following. While you didn’t mention what surgery was performed, four hours is extensive and could certainly be responsible for the unwanted results.
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Gas pains lead to diarrhea

August 19, 2010 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I have had gas pains under my rib cage for the past year. The pain leads to sediment-type diarrhea within 15 minutes of eating anything, occurring at least three times before it stops.
I’ve been unemployed and without health insurance for three years, so I am unable to see a doctor about this. I have determined I am allergic to wheat. I take no medicines other than over-the-counter naproxen for knee arthritis. Can you figure this out?

DEAR READER: Gas pains can occur for a number of reasons. Perhaps you have acid reflux, indigestion, hiatal hernia, gallbladder disease, peptic ulcer, are lactose intolerant or have an undiagnosed abnormality of the digestive tract. You also don’t appear to be digesting your food properly, as evidenced by the diarrhea. Naproxen and other OTC NSAIDs can also lead to nausea, gas and diarrhea.
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Pain persists after gallbladder removal

January 30, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: Since I had my non-functioning gallbladder removed six months ago, I continue to have occasional discomfort where it used to be. It can be random sharp pains to a dull ache and does not seem to be affected by food. It is always in the same spot (right upper quadrant, beneath the rib cage) and sometimes the pain will radiate to my back. Some of my co-workers also have similar symptoms that have continued since their gallbladder removals. I am a nurse and we often talk about our various symptoms.

Can you give me any insight into this phenomenon?

DEAR READER: Your experience appears to be common among individuals who have had gallbladder removal surgery. In fact is it so common it has been titled postcholecystectomy syndrome. It occurs in 5-40% of all patients following gallbladder removal.

Symptoms may include persistent upper right abdomen pain, gas, bloating, nausea, upset stomach, vomiting and diarrhea. Diarrhea from this disorder can be eased by taking the medication cholestyramine.

Pain that persists should be followed up with your gastroenterologist to ensure that another condition, such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome, pancreatitis, peptic ulcers, or sludge in the bile duct are not to blame.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Gallbladder Disease”. Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed 4 ¼” X 9 ½” letter-sized stamped envelope and $2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.

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