The most important thing:
- Common gastrointestinal problems: What you don’t know about them?
- The role of diet and gastrointestinal disorders in the occurrence of bloating and discomfort
- Lactose intolerance: the often unrecognised cause of bloating and stomach pain
- Estocal: As a product that breaks down lactose, it can alleviate stomach discomfort and bloating.
Have you ever had stomach problems and been unable to explain the cause? It has been found that bloating and abdominal discomfort, diarrhoea and nausea are common symptoms that many people complain about every day. These sensations can be short-lived and occur suddenly after you eat a large meal or something sweet. However, they can often remain an unwelcome guest in your daily life. In any case, these unpleasant symptoms are a potential irritant in your life. If you are troubled by feelings of discomfort, stress, irritation and low energy as a result of these symptoms, it is crucial to read about the possible causes.
In today’s dynamic world, a large proportion of people tend to ignore these unpleasant symptoms, which may be a sign of something more serious. Therefore, many of you may not realise that there is an underlying medical condition actually causing you discomfort. You may also be neglecting the role of your chosen diet. Read on to discover the causes and find out what to do when you have a bloated stomach.
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Why do you have a bloated stomach and discomfort?
Like you, one in five people complains of bloating and abdominal discomfort every week. This statistic shows that the problem is widespread and requires careful monitoring of symptoms. Medical studies divide the causes of bloating and discomfort into two main groups: dietary issues and gastrointestinal diseases. In this section, you will discover how and why the various causes manifest.
The hidden culprits in your diet
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When it comes to gastrointestinal problems, 87% of general practitioners pay attention to what their patients consume. But why does diet play such a significant role in bloating and discomfort? The reason lies in certain substances:
- Fermentable carbohydrates – Lactose and fructose are a category of carbohydrates that can ferment in the intestines and cause gas and bloating. This is especially true for people who are intolerant to them.
- Gluten – Gluten often causes bloating and pain, as many people are sensitive to it and to wheat, which contains it. In some cases, it is also linked to coeliac disease – intolerance to gluten.
- Fibre-rich foods – foods high in fibre, such as beans, chickpeas and broccoli, are difficult to digest. Therefore, they often cause irritation to the gastrointestinal tract.
- Fizzy drinks – The carbon dioxide content in these drinks stimulates the production of gases, which often causes bloating and discomfort.
Although it is possible to be affected by these substances without suffering from an intolerance or allergy to them, excessive sensitivity to lactose, fructose and gluten is common. Over the past 20 years, they have become 20% to 35% more prevalent in the general population. However, only a small proportion of food intolerances are well documented, as the symptoms are often non-specific. As their manifestation leads to a reduced quality of life, it is important to recognise whether you suffer from them. The following section describes the most common food intolerance – lactose intolerance.
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What is lactose intolerance and why do 65% of the human population suffer from it?
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Have you experienced any or a combination of the following symptoms after eating?
- Pain
- Island
- Cuckoo
- Gases
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
These are symptoms of lactose intolerance [4]. It is characterised by the body’s inability to break down lactose, the milk sugar found in many foods. Since 65% of people lack the enzyme lactase, which digests lactose, this condition is often the hidden culprit behind bloating and discomfort. The fermentation of lactose in the large intestine can cause bloating, rumbling in the stomach, gas and diarrhoea, which occur 30 minutes to 2 hours after consuming lactose.
Lactose is a component of animal dairy products (e.g., milk, cheese, yoghurt), as well as in foods that contain them, such as bread, pasta and breakfast cereals. Because these ingredients are common, they are difficult to avoid. An alternative that offers a quick solution to alleviate symptoms is lactase supplements, which help break down lactose in the digestive system. One such product is Estocal, which contains the enzyme lactase.
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Estocal – relief for bloating and discomfort
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Estocal is a product that provides the enzyme lactase, which is lacking in the body. Small and easy to carry, the product quickly and effectively prevents gastrointestinal problems. It has the following benefits:
- Taking Estocal before consuming lactose-containing food helps to ensure its successful digestion.
- By breaking down lactose, Estocal prevents unpleasant symptoms after consuming dairy products, such as bloating, gas, pain and diarrhoea.
Using this product allows you to enjoy your favourite dishes without restriction and avoid any lactose-induced stomach discomfort.
Gastrointestinal conditions – what to look out for
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Several gastrointestinal conditions can also contribute to bloating and discomfort:
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common chronic condition that affects the large intestine. It is characterised by the following symptoms:
- Stomach ache – may worsen after eating
- Bloating – characterised by a feeling of fullness and swelling
- Gases – caused by accompanying diarrhoea or constipation
- Changes in defecation habits – frequent or delayed defecations
The specific cause of IBS is not clear. Research shows that it may arise as a result of a weakened immune system, overly sensitive nerves in the gut, an inherited gene, stress and a diet high in fat and fructose. There are also cases in which IBS occurs as a result of a bacterial or parasitic infection. The condition can cause feelings of shame and constant discomfort. Although it is incurable, this condition can be managed with dietary changes and medication, including probiotics.
Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) is a condition in which stomach acid regularly flows back into the oesophagus. It causes symptoms such as:
- Heartburn (pyrosis) – a sensation that occurs immediately after eating and worsens in the evening.
- Difficulty swallowing – a sensation of a “lump” in the throat
- Bloating – often accompanied by nausea
- Cough – the occurrence of a chronic cough as a result of gastric acid reflux.
Several secondary conditions can be responsible for the onset of GERD. If you suffer from the following conditions – a stomach ulcer, a hiatal hernia, stress or obesity, they are most likely to cause reflux symptoms. GERD occurs more frequently during pregnancy due to hormonal changes in the body and the pressure from the baby. An interesting fact is that the condition is also linked to diet, as drinks and foods such as coffee, tomatoes, chocolate, alcohol and spicy food can trigger the symptoms. Treating underlying conditions and reducing the consumption of ingredients that trigger the symptoms are two effective methods for treating GERD.
Although often overlooked, symptoms such as bloating and discomfort can be your body’s way of signalling gastrointestinal disorders like irritable bowel syndrome and gastro-oesophageal reflux, as well as intolerances to certain foods, such as lactose. Changing your diet and using suitable products, such as Estocal for lactose intolerance, can alleviate symptoms and improve your quality of life.
CHZV:
Bloating after eating – how to deal with it?
- In many cases, the stomach becomes bloated after consuming certain substances that have a proven negative effect on the gastrointestinal tract. Lactose and fructose, for example, ferment in the intestines and contribute to bloating and gas. Gluten, high-fibre foods and fizzy drinks also have a negative effect on stomach health in many people. If you regularly experience this symptom, you may wish to consult a doctor to discuss other possible causes.
What are the symptoms of lactose intolerance?
- If after eating you experience bloating, pain, gas, rumbling in your stomach, nausea and diarrhoea, you may be lactose intolerant. This means that your body does not produce the enzyme lactase, which breaks down lactose – the milk sugar found in foods such as milk, cheese and yoghurt. Depending on how much lactose you have consumed, the intensity of the symptoms may vary.
How can you determine if you have lactose intolerance?
- Most people are unaware that they suffer from this food intolerance because they cannot determine what causes their symptoms. An easy method for determining lactose intolerance, recommended by doctors, is to drink a glass of milk on an empty stomach. If within 30 minutes of consumption you experience bloating, gas, nausea or diarrhoea, it is very likely that you are lactose intolerant. You can then take one Estocal tablet before drinking milk to confirm that your symptoms disappear.
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