GAS IN THE STOMACH AREA AFTER EATING

I HAD A KIDNEY STONE REMOVED ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO AND SUCCESSFUL, HOWEVER I WAS TOLD TO DRINK LOTS OF WATER WHICH I DID SOMETIMES 16 OUNCES AT A TIME (GUZZLING), AND OVER A GALLON A DAY. SOMETIMES MY STOMACH HURT AND NOW MY PROBLEM AFTER THE KIDNEY STONE IS THAT I GET GAS AND BLOATING ESPECIALLY UNDER MY LEFT BREASTBONE AFTER EATING. I AM OK BETWEEN MEALS AND AT BREAKFAST BUT I GET WORSE AS THE DAY GOES ON AND I HAVE LOST ABOUT 10 POUNDS IN 3 WEEKS. I HAVE A SENSATION THAT I AM ALWAYS FULL AND I
HAVE INTENSE GAS AFTER EATING. I WANT TO KNOW IF I DID ANYTHING PERMANENT TO MY STOMACH BY DRINKING SO FAST AND FOR 3 WEEKS AND
ALSO IS THEIR ANY MEDICATION OR EXERCISE THAT I CAN DO TO ALLIEVIATE THE SITUTATION. I AM 47 YRS OLD AND A MALE IN GOOD HEALTH. I FIND THAT PEPPERMINT TEA HELPS TO RELAX MY STOMACH AND
BEENO IS GOOD BEFORE OR DURING MEALS. I HAVE ALREADY GONE TO A DOCTOR FOR A CAT SCAN AND ENDOSCOPY WHICH PROVED NEGATIVE. IS IT
POSSIBLE THAT THE MUSCLES FOR MY STOMACH ARE SPASTIC AT THE PRESENT TIME OR THAT MY STOMACH IS SPASTIC.  
YOUR HELP WOULD GLADLY BE APPRECIATED.
IN MISERY VIN

[Kevin Pho, MD]

Hello - thanks for asking your question.

You note gas pains.  CT scan and endoscopy (I assume upper endoscopy is negative).  Peppermint tea relaxes your stomach.  

Causes for increased gas includes irritable bowel disease, malabsorption, lactose intolerance, dyspepsia (i.e. ulcers, GERD, gastritis/esophagitis).  A negative endoscopy makes ulcers and gastritis/esophagitis less likely.  

Other tests to consider include tests for lactose intolerance, tests for fat malabsorption (with a fecal fat test), antibody tests for celiac disease (another malabsorption disease), tests for bacterial overgrowth, and tests for carbohydrate malabsorption.

There are a variety of over-the-counter medications such as activated charcoal, Beano and simethicone that are designed to reduce gas.  If bacterial overgrowth is suspected, then antibiotics are indicated.

If every test is negative, then irritable bowel syndrome should be considered.  There are small studies that suggest a beneficial effect of peppermint oil in IBS.  

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.

Thanks,
Kevin, M.D.

[yoshi]

i have been told by my doc there could only be one kind of bacteria in the stomach,which is h pylori as the others cannnot survive in the acid environment.
is this true??
thanks

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