Bloating North Carolina

One of the most commonly reported digestive health symptoms is bloating. North Carolina residents who want to know the cause of their bloating symptoms or look for ways to prevent bloating can come to Carolina Digestive Health Associates for a full range of digestive health services, counseling, and treatments. We employ 14 of the most highly qualified gastroenterologists in the area, providing patient care in every major hospital in the Charlotte area, eight private offices, and five endoscopy clinics.

What Is Bloating?

Most people who experience bloating describe it as a "too full" feeling. It may feel as though the individual ate too much or is full of gas. When bloating occurs, it can make it difficult to have a bowel movement or pass gas but doing these things can sometimes alleviate the feelings of pressure bloating causes. While mild bloating symptoms are possible as reactions to eating certain foods and resolve on their own relatively quickly, other types of bloating occur from serious medical issues that require professional care.

Common Causes of Bloating

Constipation is one of the leading causes of bloating. When a person has irregular, infrequent, and/or difficult bowel movements, waste can linger in the colon longer than it should. This allows more time for bacteria to proliferate and ferment whatever remains in the digestive system. The resulting gas buildup contributes to the abdominal pain and gassy discomfort typically associated with bloating. Some individuals have a condition known as small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), a condition that causes gut bacteria to grow faster than usual, leading to more fermentation in the intestinal tract.

Bloating may also manifest as a symptom of gastroparesis, a condition causing delayed stomach opening and other symptoms like nausea and bowel blockage. Women are four times as likely as men to suffer from gastroparesis and about one in four diabetes also suffer from gastroparesis. Some gynecological conditions in the ovaries and uterus may also cause bloating symptoms.

Does Bloating Indicate a Serious Health Issue?

Bloating can occur for a number of reasons, and individuals who struggle with chronic or long-term digestive conditions may experience more acute pain and discomfort from bloating than others. For example, people who suffer from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) usually experience gas pain more acutely than those who do not have IBS. This can not only lead to severe gas pain, but also nausea, cramping, and diarrhea. When an individual experiences severe bloating symptoms, this could inform the attending physician of a more serious medical condition like IBS, SIBO, or gastroparesis.

It is important to remember that bloating does not always signal a serious health issue; many people experience bloating episodes as a reaction to eating certain foods. Unless you experience bloating on a consistent basis, isolated episodes may be due to consuming excess fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols (FODMAP).

If a gastroenterologist suspects a patient is experiencing bloating from dietary choices, he or she may recommend a low-FODMAP diet to see if symptoms improve. Slowly reintroducing FODMAP foods back into a patient’s diet can help identify problem foods more easily so the patient can make better eating choices.

When to See a Doctor About Bloating

There is no universal cure for bloating, and everyone who suffers bloating symptoms will experience them differently. An isolated bloating episode may have just been a reaction to a particular food, but it may also indicate a previously unknown food intolerance. If bloating becomes severe, or if it persists for more than a day or two, it is probably wise to consult a gastroenterologist about the possible causes.

After deciding to seek treatment for bloating, North Carolina residents should consult with the experienced gastroenterologists of Carolina Digestive Health Associates. We can help patients identify the causes of bloating pain, develop better dietary boundaries, and diagnose severe symptoms to uncover more serious medical issues. Call us during regular business hours at (704) 486-5194 to schedule an appointment with a gastroenterologist at Carolina Digestive Health Associates.

Carolina Digestive Health Associates

Carolina Digestive Health Associates is a group of gastroenterologists serving the residents of North Carolina. We have fourteen highly rated GI doctors who provide service at eight offices and five endoscopy centers. Our doctors work in all major hospitals in the Charlotte metropolitan area.

Our physicians, together with our highly trained physician assistants and nurse practitioners, cover a wide range of specialties and are skilled in diagnosis and treatment. Whether you have chronic problems with your digestive tract, a recent, acute attack or simply want a checkup, our team is here in North Carolina to help you reach your healthcare goals.

What We Do

Our team of gastroenterologists in North Carolina is trained to diagnose gastric conditions involving the esophagus, the stomach, the liver, the colon and the rectum. Once we make a diagnosis, we can form a treatment plan tailored to the specific patient and their needs. Some of the common conditions we treat include:

• Constipation
• Bloating and gas
• Celiac disease
• Cirrhosis of the liver
• Colorectal cancer
• Diarrhea
• Esophageal cancer
• Fatty liver
• Gallstone
• Gastritis
• GERD
• Hemorrhoids
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Lactose intolerance
• Obesity
• Ulcers

Our team has experience diagnosing and treating these conditions and many more. North Carolina residents in the Charlotte area have come to trust our expertise and our friendly customer service.

Procedures

Our specialists cover a wide variety of fields within gastroenterology and can perform an array of procedures once they have made a diagnosis. Some of the more common procedures are:

• Rectal manometry. This test determines if the rectum is functioning properly and helps to diagnose fecal incontinence and chronic constipation.
• Breath test. A GI doctor can diagnose certain digestive conditions by measuring the gases which a patient exhales.
• Colonoscopy. By means of a camera inserted into the body, doctors can view the intestine and look for polyps, ulcers, bleeding, inflammation and even cancer.
• Polypectomy. If doctors discover polyps during an endoscopy, they will use this procedure to remove them.
• Upper endoscopy. Similar to a colonoscopy, this procedure views the esophagus, stomach and upper duodenum for inflammation, ulcers and abnormal growths.
• Esophageal manometry. This test is to determine the strength of the muscles that you use to swallow, which can affect conditions like heartburn.
• Feeding tubes. A GI doctor can insert a feeding tube when necessary if a patient is not able to feed him or herself.
• ORBERA Gastric Balloon. The FDA has approved our non-surgical program to help patients lose weight and form healthy habits to maintain a stable, healthy weight in the long term.

Research

At Carolina Digestive Health Associates in North Carolina, we participate in many clinical research trials. Medicine is a field that constantly advances, and we encourage and participate in this process to discover new and better ways to diagnose and treat digestive disorders. Sometimes, these trials provide treatment options to our patients in North Carolina that they would not be able to get anywhere else.

When Should You Come to See Us?

Persistent or severe symptoms are reasons to schedule a consultation with us in North Carolina. We also recommend regular screenings starting at age 45 for colon cancer. You may need to see a general practitioner first to get a referral. Come see us if you experience any of the following:

• Constipation. Fewer than three bowel movements a week means constipation. If it persists, contact us.
• Diarrhea. Diarrhea is a common problem, but if it doesn't go away it could be a sign of something more serious.
• Heartburn. A burning your stomach and chest could be your stomach acid inflaming the lining of your esophagus.
• Stomach pain. Severe stomach pain could mean you have a gallstone. More persistent, burning pain could be an ulcer.
• Bloating. If you bloat after a meal, your body might be reacting to something you ate. A gastroenterologist can diagnose the cause.
• Hemorrhoids. If the veins in your rectum are swollen or feel irritated, you may have hemorrhoids, which a GI doctor can treat.
• Blood in your stool. If your stool is black and tarry, or if there is red in the water after a bowel movement, you may have a severe problem that requires immediate attention.

For any of the above symptoms or a cancer screening in North Carolina, contact Carolina Digestive Health Associates for a consultation. Call us at (704) 486-5194 and let one of our highly skilled gastroenterologists assist you.