Pancreatic insufficiency can also lead to bloating and belching---mostly, probably, odorless CO2, but I have also experienced on rare occasions a more serious belching binge in which the gas did have an odor, the odor of sour ginger ale! This has perplexed me and I wonder if anyone can give some clue as to what kind of a gas that is?
charles
Hi,
Bloating is any abnormal general swelling, or increase in diameter of the abdominal area. As a symptom, the patient feels a full and tight abdomen, which may cause abdominal pain sometimes accompanied by borborygmus.
Common causes for abdominal bloating are:
* Overeating (gastric distension)
* Lactose intolerance, fructose intolerance and other food intolerances
* Food allergy
* Aerophagia (air swallowing, a nervous habit)
* Irritable bowel syndrome
The symptom of bloating can be well managed through dietary changes that prevent the over-reaction of the gastrocolic reflex. Having soluble fiber foods and supplements, substituting dairy with soy or rice products, being careful with fresh fruits and vegetables that are high in insoluble fiber, and eating regular small amounts can all help to lessen the symptoms. Foods and beverages to be avoided or minimized include red meat, oily, fatty and fried products, dairy (even when there is no lactose intolerance), solid chocolate, coffee (regular and decaffeinated), alcohol, carbonated beverages, especially those also containing sorbitol, and artificial sweeteners.
Hope this helped. Let us know if you need any more help.
I am not sure about the ginger ale but when I eat anything with splenda in it my stomach bloats up horribly too. I discovered this after eating a miniature hersheys bar - the "sugar free" kind. Just one and I am miserable. Eating the mini hershey with regular sugar has absolutely no effect on my stomach...so my theory is that is must be the splenda and my body's inability to digest it.