GAS AND BLOATING
If you have ever felt like your stomach is protruding, you are probably experiencing bloating. Bloating can be caused by several different mechanisms such as eating a very large meal (especially if heavy in carbohydrates and/or sugar), gas, food sensitivities or intolerances, excessive air intake, menstrual cycles, and in some cases, even fluid retention. However, it can also be a significant symptom of dysbiosis, or a more serious gastrointestinal infection, or even a sign of late stage heart or liver disease.
In any case, chronic bloating should not be ignored. Functional Medicine will explore what possible causes may be contributing to your chronic bloating and Dr. Williams will then prescribe a very specific plan based upon your test results to address your root cause.
It is important to remember that gas may cause bloating but bloating does not cause gas. A certain amount of gas each day is normal and a result of the breakdown of the foods and beverages you have ingested. It can also be the result of excessive air intake. For example, if you are a smoker, someone who likes to drink from a straw, if you chew gum regularly, or if you drink a lot of carbonated beverages you may have a more abundant amount of gas. However, excessive gas, especially when accompanied by a feeling of bloating, can be caused by other factors such as imbalances in your gut bacteria, SIBO(Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth), SIFO(Small Intestine Fungal Overgrowth), candida overgrowth, gluten or lactose intolerances, IBS, chronic constipation and/or diarrhea, or leaky gut. To find out more about these connections to gas and bloating and to learn how Functional Medicine addresses the possible causes of excessive gas and bloating - read the sections on SIBO/SIFO, gluten and lactose intolerances, chronic constipation/diarrhea, IBS, and leaky gut.