Finding the source of a mystery gas leak…in my stomach…
December 15, 2019 6:03 PM Subscribe
What kind of tests can I do which can help figure the cause of semi-regular intestinal gas that has gotten increasingly annoying in the past year?
As I hurtle towards the abyss which is my 40’s my body has been throwing new things at me left and right. Never had tennis elbow before? Now you do! That mole on your face? It’s getting bigger! One thing though has gotten a bit more uncomfortable which the increasing presence of intestinal gas which I can only assume is being caused by some sort of food sensitive/allergy and I’d love etc be able to get to the bottom of it. Pun semi-intended.
I’ve always had a very sensitive stomach, and about ten years ago I just flat out stopped being able to drink milk because it would immediately give me the runs. Then around two years ago I started getting pretty bad gas randomly like once every month or so. Nothing unusual, however fast forward to the last six months, and I’m getting it once every 2-3 days. Sometimes it keeps me up at night or just ruins my appetite, and it’s just plain annoying. It's not reflux/heartburn, just a very noisy gas...
Are there any tests that my GP can order, or specialists I should be asked to be referred to, that can help me gain some clarity here so I can avoid months of self-experimentation? I know there’s a whole industry of testing for food sensitivities and intolerances, and it’s hard to separate the BS from the legit, but I’m open to anything really, especially as I have a pretty clean/restricted diet already.
Things to note - I’m located in Australia. Recent bloodwork all good, and in pretty great physical and mental health. I know what gas/stomach pains from Anxiety and Depression feel like, and it’s not that.
Thank you!
As I hurtle towards the abyss which is my 40’s my body has been throwing new things at me left and right. Never had tennis elbow before? Now you do! That mole on your face? It’s getting bigger! One thing though has gotten a bit more uncomfortable which the increasing presence of intestinal gas which I can only assume is being caused by some sort of food sensitive/allergy and I’d love etc be able to get to the bottom of it. Pun semi-intended.
I’ve always had a very sensitive stomach, and about ten years ago I just flat out stopped being able to drink milk because it would immediately give me the runs. Then around two years ago I started getting pretty bad gas randomly like once every month or so. Nothing unusual, however fast forward to the last six months, and I’m getting it once every 2-3 days. Sometimes it keeps me up at night or just ruins my appetite, and it’s just plain annoying. It's not reflux/heartburn, just a very noisy gas...
Are there any tests that my GP can order, or specialists I should be asked to be referred to, that can help me gain some clarity here so I can avoid months of self-experimentation? I know there’s a whole industry of testing for food sensitivities and intolerances, and it’s hard to separate the BS from the legit, but I’m open to anything really, especially as I have a pretty clean/restricted diet already.
Things to note - I’m located in Australia. Recent bloodwork all good, and in pretty great physical and mental health. I know what gas/stomach pains from Anxiety and Depression feel like, and it’s not that.
Thank you!
It’s hard to say without more data, and unfortunately the only way to get more data is to experiment with your diet.
The good news is there’s a specific way to narrow down the gas’s cause. If you’re not already familiar with FODMAPs, give them a quick search. There’s loads of information out there. Doing an elimination diet could help you determine what’s causing this.
The gas is uncomfortable, annoying, and possibly embarrassing, I’m sure, but it can be dealt with.
posted by skilar at 9:13 PM on December 15, 2019 [1 favorite]
The good news is there’s a specific way to narrow down the gas’s cause. If you’re not already familiar with FODMAPs, give them a quick search. There’s loads of information out there. Doing an elimination diet could help you determine what’s causing this.
The gas is uncomfortable, annoying, and possibly embarrassing, I’m sure, but it can be dealt with.
posted by skilar at 9:13 PM on December 15, 2019 [1 favorite]
My brother in law has a "dairy allergy" (i know this isn't the real name but it's how he describes it to me) with these same symptom. No cow's milk, butter, yogurt, cheese, or any related ingredients. As theora55 says, these are commonly in...basically everything store made.
posted by holyrood at 9:20 PM on December 15, 2019
posted by holyrood at 9:20 PM on December 15, 2019
I recently tried the whole30 as an elimination diet because I was having similar problems. I didn't do it for 30 whole days though, I did it for 3 weeks. What I learned was that milk makes me ill. Because I was eating so many veggies and so much fiber, heavy carbs and sugary stuff just generally makes me feel icky. I haven't had that bloated gassy feeling since.
posted by pazazygeek at 12:02 AM on December 16, 2019
posted by pazazygeek at 12:02 AM on December 16, 2019
Response by poster: Thanks for the initial responses everyone - I just want to clarify the question further as I'm looking to try and get some harder scientific/medical data here (if possible). I definitely see the efficacy of elimination diets and other self-experimentation, but ideally my question is more about how to get more precision in determining the cause here, and whether there are any tests or procedures that could do this. Hope this helps!
posted by LongDrive at 3:22 AM on December 16, 2019
posted by LongDrive at 3:22 AM on December 16, 2019
Honestly, I think a lot of the reason why people are suggesting elimination diets is that that is what your doctor would also be doing. I will grant I'm not a doctor, but the only kind of allergy test that's out there is designed to figure out the "will it kill you" kind of allergy as opposed to the "will it make you fart" kind. For the digestive allergies, all your doctor would be doing is advising you to do an elimination test, as I understand it.
that's another reason why people are suggesting different food groups - they're groups which can be known triggers. I'll suggest another one (the one that is my own issue) - certain brassica vegetables can be gassy, and for me they also lead to some pretty painful indigestion as well. (It's a fad to put cauliflower in everything now, and t'is the season for brussel sprouts - and I can't eat either one.)
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 4:32 AM on December 16, 2019 [3 favorites]
that's another reason why people are suggesting different food groups - they're groups which can be known triggers. I'll suggest another one (the one that is my own issue) - certain brassica vegetables can be gassy, and for me they also lead to some pretty painful indigestion as well. (It's a fad to put cauliflower in everything now, and t'is the season for brussel sprouts - and I can't eat either one.)
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 4:32 AM on December 16, 2019 [3 favorites]
There aren't always really good tests that screen for like, all food allergies. I have multiple severe allergies and blood tests show that I'm "not allergic to anything". A skin-prick test could help? But in my experience they don't usually test for everything.
When I saw an allergist/immunologist I'd already been doing whole30 and had attempted some reintroductions that didn't go well. That helped her figure out what specifically to test for. She would have put me on an elimination diet if I hadn't already started one on my own.
The elimination diet should help you figure out the cause, if your symptoms improve when you eliminate a bunch of foods, and then you reintroduce the foods one at a time, if/when your symptoms come back you'll theoretically know which foods are associated.
If you won't try an elimination diet (whole30/etc) first, what about a detailed food diary with your symptoms tracked as well? That could give you some idea what's causing it.
posted by kristicat at 4:39 AM on December 16, 2019
When I saw an allergist/immunologist I'd already been doing whole30 and had attempted some reintroductions that didn't go well. That helped her figure out what specifically to test for. She would have put me on an elimination diet if I hadn't already started one on my own.
The elimination diet should help you figure out the cause, if your symptoms improve when you eliminate a bunch of foods, and then you reintroduce the foods one at a time, if/when your symptoms come back you'll theoretically know which foods are associated.
If you won't try an elimination diet (whole30/etc) first, what about a detailed food diary with your symptoms tracked as well? That could give you some idea what's causing it.
posted by kristicat at 4:39 AM on December 16, 2019
"That mole on your face? It’s getting bigger!"
A mole should not get bigger. See a skin doctor. It may have to be removed.
Gas? Try Gluten intolerance.
posted by yoyo_nyc at 5:19 AM on December 16, 2019 [1 favorite]
A mole should not get bigger. See a skin doctor. It may have to be removed.
Gas? Try Gluten intolerance.
posted by yoyo_nyc at 5:19 AM on December 16, 2019 [1 favorite]
Best answer: This is probably overkill at this point, but small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) can cause bad gas. The diagnostic test for it is a breath test in stages that can take up to 3 hours.
posted by Automocar at 6:51 AM on December 16, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by Automocar at 6:51 AM on December 16, 2019 [2 favorites]
Best answer: There's a specific test for celiac that might be in order. Gluten or dairy intolerance is best diagnosed with an elimination diet. One at a time, and for a month.
posted by theora55 at 6:52 AM on December 16, 2019
posted by theora55 at 6:52 AM on December 16, 2019
Best answer: When I lost 15 lbs. unintentionally last year and was having new GI troubles, my specialist suggested the very comprehensive Diagnostic Solutions GI-MAP. It turned out to have the answers we needed and I'm doing much better after treating what turned up.
posted by jocelmeow at 8:57 AM on December 16, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by jocelmeow at 8:57 AM on December 16, 2019 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome and constipation can cause gas.
posted by theora55 at 6:14 PM on December 15, 2019 [3 favorites]