Division of Gastroenterology and Digestive Disorders
I often have 'digestive problems' following a big meal. Should I be worried?
When people eat too much, it can cause flareups of digestive problems that can range from relatively mild or embarrassing to potentially worrisome symptoms of a chronic disease.
GAS. Everybody – and every body – produces between a pint and one-half gallon of gas each day. Most of the gas comes from air swallowed while eating. The rest is from chemical reactions occurring when food breaks down during digestion. Surprisingly, most of the gas from belching or flatulence is an odorless combination of oxygen, nitrogen, methane and carbon dioxide. Any unpleasant smell comes from a small, trace amount of gas given off when food breaks down in the colon. Although embarrassing, belching and “breaking wind” are the only ways of eliminating the pain or discomfort caused by this trapped gas.
Many common foods – such as cauliflower, broccoli and beans – will cause gas to build up as they are digested. Consuming too much artificial sweetener or high fructose corn syrup (a common food additive) will also cause gas because your body is limited in the amount of these substances it can absorb. Foods that are high in fat slow the process of moving food to the intestines. This causes belching as the body tries to rid itself of the gas that builds up in the stomach. Additionally, some people lack sufficient amounts of the enzyme that breaks down the sugars found in dairy products. When these sugars are not digested properly, they ferment in the colon and give off extra gas.
Occasional bouts of excessive gas are usually nothing to worry about, but talk to your physician if it happens often or interferes with your ability to enjoy normal activities. Your physician can prescribe a breath test that identifies milk and dairy intolerance or other procedures to determine if your gassiness is related to an intestinal obstruction or other disorder.
HEARTBURN. If you regularly experience heartburn, indigestion or an acidic taste in the back of your mouth, especially after meals, and antacids provide only temporary relief, you may have gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD), a common condition that affects about one in every five people. Unfortunately, many tempting foods - chocolates, alcohol, fatty foods, carbonated beverages, red wine, nuts and acidic fruits and vegetables – can all aggravate GERD symptoms. Stress, alone, won’t cause symptoms to flare, but stress can cause you to eat too quickly or to eat or drink too much of “comfort foods” that, in turn, lead to heartburn.
Although GERD is usually easy to control, it can lead to more serious complications, particularly among older individuals. Treating GERD usually involves lifestyle modifications and, if those prove unsuccessful, over-thecounter or prescription medications that are safe and effective.
DIARRHEA. Let your doctor know if you frequently experience diarrhea after eating, especially if the episodes tend to occur suddenly or are accompanied by other symptoms such as fever or nausea. Diarrhea after eating could be a symptom of several disorders, including celiac disease, diverticulitis, Crohn’s disease or irritable bowel syndrome, and you will need a physician who is experienced with these disorders to determine an accurate diagnosis.
Originally published in The University Doctors' MedicaLink - 11/09
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