Gas, Bloating, Belching, Weight Loss

[Mr. Smith]

I am a 56-year-old male who has always been extremely healthy.  I eat a healthy, balanced diet, get plenty of exercise and sleep, and have a low stress job/lifestyle.  I do not take any medications.  I am experiencing the following symptoms:

Abdominal pain
Gas
Bloating
Belching
Weight loss

They began suddenly a little over a year ago, starting with extreme bloating.  I have since consulted an internist, a gastroenterologist, a nutritionist, and a couple of naturopaths.  I have had the following tests:

Blood panel
Thyroid
Colonscopy
Upper GI x-ray
Food allergy testing
Bacteriology/Parasitology testing

There were no significant findings on any of the tests.  I have tried colon cleanses and vegetable-oriented, alkaline diets.  Nothing seems to change.  I am unable to draw any correlation between activities or eating patterns and symptoms.  I may seem to improve for a day or two only to suddenly get worse.

Can you suggest any possible cause or advise on what type of doctor I should see?

[Mr. Smith]

KR, I'm no expert, but I believe foreign countries are more natural medicine oriented.  I tried naturopaths here.  They offer more extensive testing than traditional western medicine, but I have to question whether the things they find are really significant.  I've also found they tend to have one-size-fits-all remedies:  usually colon cleanse detoxes and vegetarian-type diets.

I haven't experienced itching, and my problems feel more intestinal than stomach.  However, I do know that itching is a symptom of kidney problems.  It can also be caused by food allergies.  You can get food allergy testing online with home test kits, if you haven't done so already.  It reportedly helps a lot of people.

Good luck.
Mr. Smith

[Kevin Pho, MD]

Another gastroenterology opinion would be the appropriate specialist.

I agree with the workup thus far.  I would consider an upper endoscopy.  This is a more comprehensive test than the upper GI, and can evaluate for GERD, an ulcer, or inflammation of the upper digestive tract.

Imaging the abdomen should be considered as well.  A CT scan or ultrasound can be done to look at the liver, gallbladder and pancreas.

These options can be discussed with your personal physician.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
kevinmd_

[Kidrock]

Hello Mr. Smith.  I am right there along with you.  However, I experience itching sensations in my stomach and upper thighs as well.  It seems like to me alot of people are having problems with their stomachs.  Could this be a new phenemonon.  Since we can't find answers here in the US, I wonder if there are some possible answers in other parts of the world.   If nothing else, I had 36 healthy years of non medical conditions.