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Five conditions you could be suffering from if you’re feeling bloated

Health

Poor digestion is a constant misery for millions of Brits and what happens to our bodies after eating can be a source of daily discomfort

It’s probably fair to say you ­overindulged during Christmas and New Year and that glut of mince pies, booze and trips to the buffet table left you bloated or with a dodgy tum.

And yet poor digestion is a constant misery for millions of Brits and what happens to our bodies after eating can be a source of daily discomfort – and embarrassment.

But whether you bloat after eating bread , suffer cramping or diarrhoea when stressed or get constipated on a weekly basis, you don’t just have to put up with it.

According to Professor Julian Walters, a consultant gastroenterologist at Imperial College ­Healthcare in London, one of the biggest problems when it comes to digestive ailments is ­misdiagnosis.

“There are several relatively unknown but surprisingly common gut complaints that could be causing your unpleasant symptoms.

"But a lack of awareness means doctors often fail to spot them,” warns Professor Walters, co-author of a new book, What’s Up With Your Gut?

    Feeling ill? Don't call Doctor Google as DIY diagnosis can leave you feeling MUCH worse

Tummy problems can be uncomfortable and embarrassing

“I see an endless stream of patients who’ve been told they haven’t got bowel cancer or a stomach ulcer – ‘just’ IBS or chronic constipation – and must therefore simply put up with it.

“They can suffer years of misery with their symptoms without being referred to a specialist for the best tests and so the real cause of their stomach problem goes undetected.

“This is terrible, because with the right ­treatment, symptoms will usually clear right up.”

So what’s up with my gut?

Using fresh evidence from Professor Walters’ new book, we reveal five, ­sometimes surprising, reasons your ­digestion could be playing up…

1 Is it IBS?

Symptoms : Bloating, constipation and/or ­diarrhoea, abdominal cramps.

What is it? Irritable Bowel Syndrome is an umbrella term used by doctors to describe a collection of ­symptoms, estimated to affect nine million people in the UK.

Certain foods may trigger ­symptoms which last a few days, or stress and anxiety can cause a flare-up.

Could you be suffering from IBS?

Get it diagnosed : There’s no specific test, so diagnosis is made by identifying a typical pattern of symptoms – keeping a diary can help – along with the absence of any “red flag” cancer symptoms, which typically include unexplained weight loss, blood in your stools and diarrhoea.

Treat it : There’s no cure, so managing symptoms means avoiding known food triggers and reducing stress, if possible.

Some probiotic strains and prescription medication such as ­laxatives or antispasmodics can help so talk to your GP and make sure they’ve tested you to rule out coeliac disease.

If your main symptom is diarrhoea, you also need to rule out bile acid issues. Visit theibsnetwork.org

2 Is gluten the problem?

Symptoms : Bloating, smelly diarrhoea, stomach cramping, tiredness, constipation, concentration problems.

What is it? Coeliac disease. Although it’s become fashionable to blame gluten for all sorts of health problems, it really can cause serious gut issues for some.

An estimated 1% of the population has coeliac disease but 75% are undiagnosed.

Gluten Free

It occurs when the body’s immune system mistakes gluten – a protein found in wheat, barley and rye – as a danger and mounts an antibody response to it, damaging the lining of the gut, stopping nutrients being absorbed from foods as a result.

This can lead to long-term ­complications, including anaemia and the bone-thinning condition osteoporosis.

Get it diagnosed : It can be diagnosed via a blood test and confirmed with an endoscopy and gut biopsy.

Treat it : Following a strict gluten-free diet improves symptoms of three-quarters of patients in just two weeks.

It requires lots of packet checking on your part, but there are plenty of gluten-free foods available these days and you will feel so much better, you won’t mind.

3 Do you have non-coeliac gluten sensitivity?

Symptoms : The same as coeliac disease, but may also include joint pain, muscle cramps, leg numbness, weight loss and chronic fatigue.

Do you have non-coeliac gluten sensitivity?

What is it? A newly identified condition, NCGS occurs when you have the ­symptoms of coeliac disease caused by a sensitivity to gluten, but no antibodies show up in blood tests and the gut lining looks normal.

Gastroenterologist Dr Kamran Rostami estimates that for every person with coeliac disease there may be seven with NCGS – that’s up to seven million people.

Get it diagnosed : Not all doctors believe NCGS exists as a separate condition – and there’s no diagnostic test for it yet.

Treat it : Crucially, the symptoms of NCGS go away if patients follow a gluten-free diet.

However, it’s important you are tested for coeliac disease first so it can be ­eliminated and only start a gluten-free diet with a doctor’s advice.

4 Are you sensitive to fermenting foods?

Symptoms : Bloating, a swollen tummy and diarrhoea.

What is it? FODMAPs are carbohydrates or sugar alcohols that are found in a wide range of foods and drinks.

Could garlic be giving you an upset tum?

Poorly absorbed in the intestines, when they enter the colon they’re fermented by bacteria, stretching the bowel, causing bloating and wind.

Foods high in FODMAPs include onions, garlic, beetroot, savoy cabbage, bread, apples, pears and mangos.

More ­susceptible individuals may also react to FODMAPs in milk and dairy products, plus diet ­products containing Sorbitol.

Get it diagnosed : Currently there is no test but varying your diet and keeping a food and symptom diary could help isolate any sensitivity.

Treat it: Studies have found that a low FODMAP diet can improve bloating ­symptoms and may ease IBS and NCGS.

But critics also say it’s difficult to stick to as they are found in so many foods, although you may find you only have to reduce your consumption, rather than cut them out completely.

5 Is bile acid the issue?

Symptoms : Frequent watery bowel movements – often as many as 10 per day – an urgent need to go, perhaps resulting in accidents, bloating and abdominal pain.

How are your bowel movements?

What is it? Around a third of people diagnosed with IBS may actually have a less well known condition called bile acid diarrhoea (BAD).

Symptoms are caused by overproduction of bile acids in the liver passing into the colon and causing watery diarrhoea.

Get it diagnosed : There’s a body scan test called a SeHCAT, but it’s not currently available on the NHS as NICE say there’s insufficient evidence that it is cost effective.

Meanwhile, a GP referral to a ­gastroenterologist can result in a diagnosis based on your symptoms.

Treat it : Because it is often misdiagnosed as IBS, patients may be told to increase fibre, which will actually make the ­condition much worse.

A drug called cholestyramine can be prescribed to relieve diarrhoea by binding to the unabsorbed bile acids, and has been shown to hugely improve quality of life in people with the condition.

6 easy ways to boost tummy health

1 Try probiotics

Our gut contains of trillions of bacteria from around 1000 different species, which are vital for good digestion, and according to the latest research form an important part of the body’s immune system.

Pro biotic drinks are one way poor diet may be treated (Photo: Getty)

Encouraging these bugs to flourish in healthy numbers can improve gut symptoms, which is why there’s now a host of foods and supplements containing probiotic strains of ‘friendly’ bacteria.

2 Limit fruit to three portions a day

The high fibre content of fruit can be irritating for some gut problems.

It’s also helpful to avoid the skin, pips and pith from fruit and vegetables, as these may be difficult to digest.

3 Eat porridge

If you suffer from wind, eating porridge or another oat-based cereal for breakfast can help.

Porridge can help with wind

4 Take time to eat

Experts recommend never rushing eating, not skipping meals and avoiding foods too close to bedtime, as these bad habits can all affect digestion.

Aim for three meals a day and take your time – sit down at the table and enjoy them.

5 Avoid ‘diet’ products

Many diet products advertised as ‘sugar-free’ contain the sweetener sorbitol, which can make diarrhoea and bloating worse. Check the label of foods such as chewing gum, sweets and yoghurts.

6 Cut down on booze

Alcohol can be a trigger for gut problems in some people as it irritates the stomach lining, stimulating the production of more acid which can trigger stomach pain, diarrhoea and vomiting. Stick to the recommended 14 units per week, or avoid completely.

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