Decode Your Digestive Tract
Decode your digestive tract – Symptom management 101
Want some easy ways to decode your digestive tract when abdominal pain and discomfort sneaks up? Let’s face it, when your gut gets cranky, it can hurl you into a world of hurt. Whether pain sends you straight to the couch to assume the fetal position – or slowly gnaws at your insides as you trudge through the workday – discover the underlying symptoms so you can better manage your digestive tract. This way you can get back to the good stuff of life. Let’s explore common gut complaints and simple health tips to help you finally put your digestive symptoms to rest.
Why do I always feel bloated or gassy after eating?
Feeling gassy and bloated–it happens. Still, no one likes that uncomfortable distended belly feeling or embarrassing gas after eating a meal. Even so, some people are willing to live with these pesky digestive symptoms–because it may not seem like a big deal. Or perhaps others simply don’t know how to manage them.
Let’s unpack this question with Dr. Rohan Clarke, gastroenterologist in Denver—so you can get back to enjoying life without abdominal discomfort—disruption and digestive symptoms.
Dr. Clarke suggested three possible culprits to watch for—if you experience bloating or gas. Diet, constipation or SIBO, (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth). SIBO is known for causing symptoms like bloating, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and can lead to unintended weight loss, Dr. Clarke said.
Want to learn more about SIBO? Mayo Clinic has an excellent resource page to learn more about these types of digestive conditions and symptoms.
Why do I get constipated when I travel or work long hours?
Making travel plans is usually something many of us look forward to. Whether it’s a seaside vacation, mountain getaway staycation, or a trip to visit extended family, travel is usually a welcomed reprieve from the daily grind of life. Yet it’s also true that travel can send your gut into a little turbulence. Here’s what Dr. Clarke has to say about keeping your gut in check when traveling.
“Travel disrupts our normal scheduled diet and exercise. During flights, changes in cabin pressure can cause shifts in gas pockets within the GI tract,” Clarke said. “Minimize alcohol intake when flying. Maintain adequate hydration.”
These are simple steps you can take to help manage your digestive symptoms when traveling. The hardest part is remembering to do them.
Which foods and drinks cause bloating and gas?
Keep in mind that each individual repsonds differently to various foods. While some people cannot tolerate an ice cream cone on a hot summer day while others can, dairy is known for causing some digestive symptoms for some people. That’s why it’s on the list.
“Inflammatory foods may also play a role in symptoms like feeling bloated or gassy,” Clarke said. Below is a list of inflammatory foods. Notice if any GI symptoms show up when you consume these foods. Or, if you remove these foods, also notice whether your abdominal pain or discomfort is diminished. By keeping track of symptoms, this is good information to share with your GI specialist, Clarke said.
“If your symptoms persist despite changes in diet, then you should talk to a healthcare professional to discuss your symptoms and dietary habits,” Clarke said.
Inflammatory Food List 
- Dairy
- Soy
- Gluten
- Corn
- Food dyes
- Processed sugars
Do you have a gluten sensativity? Check our clinical trials page.
Is heartburn something I have to live with? Isn’t a little heartburn normal?
Here’s what Dr. Clarke says about heartburn symptoms.
“A little heartburn is normal. Persistent symptoms that happen multiple times per week is not.”
Wondering if it’s time to discuss heartburn with a GI doctor? It depends if you notice changes.
“Consider changes in pain and duration, or difficulty swallowing as reasons to seek out your doctor’s advice,” he added.
Take swallowing difficulty–as one example to notice. When swallowing difficulty persists or worsens, you may want to ask your doctor if these symptoms should be watched. If yes, you may also want to ask if they recommend an upper endoscopy or EGD. This procedure uses a camera to examine the esophagus, abdomen and part of the small intestine. This helps your GI specialist determine a likely cause of swallowing difficulty—and establish a treatment plan for you.
Curious about swallowing disorders? Explore our digestive conditions library.
When should I get tested for colon cancer?
Current guidelines from the American Cancer Association recommend adults start screening for colon cancer at age 45—men and women. Click our recent blog post about early onset colon cancer.
Have questions? Want to book an appointment and learn how we can help you decode your digestive tract symptoms? Call us today at 303-604-5000.
*Dr. Rohan Clarke is an advanced therapeutics gastroenterologist in Denver. He performs GI procedures like upper GI endoscopy and colonoscopy. He specializes in treating digestive conditions like acid reflex, GERD and swallowing disorders.
Produced by Elise Oberliesen, digital marketing specialist—medical review provided by Emily Marshall-PA-C, with Gatroenterology of the Rockies.