Bloating & Indigestion
- Dr. Aidanne
- Feb 26
- 3 min read
Bloating is a common digestive complaint that can leave you feeling uncomfortably full and swollen, which can be embarrassing and disruptive during social gatherings or in the work place. Often it is accompanied by symptoms of heartburn, cramping, irregular bowel movements, and excess gas. Together, these signs often indicate a problem with digestive function.
To learn more about the process of digestion, see my article here!
Impaired Digestion
Digestion is a highly coordinated process that relies on a stimuli (ie. the sight, smell and taste of food) as well as proper parasympathetic nervous system responses. When digestion isn’t working optimally, food may not be broken down fully which leads to discomfort as it makes its way through the GI tract. This is often classified as functional dyspepsia, for which there is no single known cause. That said, often this suboptimal function can result from imbalances in stomach acid, inadequate enzyme production, or food sensitivities.
Stomach Acid Imbalance
Stomach acid is essential for breaking down proteins, absorbing nutrients, and protecting against harmful microbes. Both excessive and insufficient stomach acid can cause indigestion, heartburn, and bloating. Many people assume high stomach acid is the sole culprit behind reflux and discomfort, but low stomach acid (hypochlorhydria) is also common, particularly as we age.
Schedule your FREE 10-minute discovery call today to get started if you think this may be a problem for you!
Enzyme Deficiencies
Digestive enzymes, produced in the mouth, stomach, pancreas, liver, and gallbladder, each play a critical role in breaking food down. When enzyme production is insufficient, certain foods may not be properly digested, leading to bloating and discomfort. For example, individuals with lactose intolerance lack the enzyme lactase, making dairy products difficult to process. Temporary enzyme supplementation can help alleviate symptoms while identifying and addressing the underlying cause.
Food Sensitivities and Intolerances
Unlike true food allergies, sensitivities trigger delayed immune responses that can lead to inflammation in the digestive tract. Many individuals with persistent bloating, reflux, and irritable bowel symptoms discover that specific foods contribute to their discomfort. Testing for food sensitivities, such as an IgG panel, can help pinpoint problematic foods and guide dietary modifications.
Gut Microbiome Imbalances: The Role of Dysbiosis
Dysbiosis refers to an imbalance in the gut microbiome, including both bacterial and yeast overgrowth. These imbalances can contribute to bloating, gas, and irregular bowel movements.
Bacterial Overgrowth
The large intestine is meant to be home to a community of microbes including bacteria, yeast, viruses, etc. all living together in harmony. When beneficial bacteria are forced out of balance (ie. Antibiotic use, stress, poor diet, etc.) an overgrowth of opportunity-seeking bacteria can contribute to chronic constipation, diarrhea, or a mix of both. Addressing bacterial imbalances through diet, lifestyle changes, and targeted antimicrobials can help restore gut harmony.
Bacteria are not meant to reside in the small intestine in significant populations. Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) occurs when bacteria that should primarily reside in the large intestine proliferate in the small intestine, leading to excessive fermentation of carbohydrates. This can cause bloating, cramping, and unpredictable digestion. SIBO is often diagnosed through a breath test measuring hydrogen and methane gases.
Yeast Overgrowth
An overgrowth of yeast, especially Candida, can trigger digestive upset along with systemic symptoms like fatigue, sugar cravings, a white coating on the tongue, and skin rashes. This imbalance is often exacerbated by high-sugar diets, antibiotic overuse, and chronic stress but fortunately naturopathic medicine has much to offer in addressing each of these factors.
Comments