Whereas ulcerative colitis (UC) is finest recognized for inflicting signs like stomach cramping, fatigue, and rectal ache, bloating can be frequent. Whereas it is probably not probably the most disruptive UC symptom you’ve skilled, bloating might be extraordinarily uncomfortable — and doubtlessly avoidable, should you study to deal with its potential causes and discover remedies that may alleviate it.
“Ulcerative colitis [causes] irritation within the digestive system, and when this irritation is energetic — and significantly when bowel habits are irregular — there is usually a sensation of feeling bloated,” says Pratima Dibba, MD, a gastroenterologist on the Medical Places of work of Manhattan in New York Metropolis. “This typically accompanies different signs like urgency and ache.”
Analysis means that even with out UC, bloating is a prevalent well being problem — one survey of practically 89,000 People discovered that just about 14 p.c reported experiencing bloating within the earlier week. These with a digestive situation have been extra prone to expertise bloating, and situations together with UC have been additionally related to extra extreme bloating.
Though it could be frequent, bloating would not should be inevitable when you will have UC, and your physician could possibly assist. Listed below are 4 ideas for prevention and reduction.
1. Discuss With Your Physician About Drugs
Step one in assuaging UC bloating is ensuring your situation is being adequately managed, says Dr. Dibba. “Drugs focused at decreasing irritation within the intestine might be useful for bloating as a result of when illness exercise is being managed successfully, signs like bloating ought to enhance,” she says.
Drugs used to deal with UC embrace:
- Anti-inflammatory medication like corticosteroids and aminosalicylates that cut back present irritation within the colon (giant gut)
- Immunomodulators like azathioprine (Imuran) to regulate persistent irritation brought on by the immune system
- Focused artificial small molecule medication together with upadacitinib (Rinvoq), which work on particular elements of the immune system to cut back irritation
- Biologic medication reminiscent of infliximab (Remicade), which stop sure proteins within the physique from triggering irritation
- Antispasmodics that assist chill out muscle groups of the digestive system to alleviate cramping and bloating
For an over-the-counter possibility that addresses bloating solely, think about an anti-gas remedy, says Dibba. These include an energetic ingredient of simethicone (typically known as simeticone) and embrace manufacturers like Fuel-X, Alka-Seltzer, and Mylanta. They work by permitting small gasoline bubbles within the intestine to collect collectively to type bigger bubbles, which cross extra simply to carry bloating down.
However Dibba says they will not cut back irritation associated to UC, if that is what is inflicting the bloating.
“Whether or not it is an over-the-counter remedy or a prescription med, these ought to be used underneath the path of a physician, and the remedy plan could also be modified over time primarily based on response and illness exercise,” she says.
2. Establish Set off Meals
It could actually take some investigative work to pin down which meals could trigger bloating, as a result of a meals that is an issue for you is probably not a difficulty for another person with UC, says Ashkan Farhadi, MD, a gastroenterologist at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Middle in Fountain Valley, California.
“Though there are particular person variations in how meals impacts every individual with UC, sure meals have been proven to set off signs basically,” he says. Frequent culprits embrace:
- Sugary treats like cookies, pies, sweet, and pastries
- Meals excessive in insoluble fiber like uncooked kale, sunflower seeds, and unpeeled apples
- Excessive-fiber greens like cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and asparagus
- Sugar alcohols and synthetic sweeteners reminiscent of xylitol, aspartame, sorbitol, and saccharin
- Excessive-fat meals like butter, fried meals, and tacky dishes
“Preserving a meals diary is an efficient step right here, as a result of you possibly can observe what you ate and join that to any subsequent signs reminiscent of bloating,” Dr. Farhadi says. “Additionally, that is helpful for discussions along with your gastroenterologist, as a result of these meals logs typically present patterns of signs that would point out chances are you’ll want a change in situation administration.”
3. Contemplate a Low-FODMAP Weight loss program
If bloating is not adequately managed by drugs and figuring out problematic meals, one other step could also be to quickly swap to a low-FODMAP eating regimen, Dibba says. FODMAP stands for fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols.
“Mainly, these are short-chain carbohydrates that the small gut would not take in properly,” she says. “The tip result’s extra gasoline, which then results in bloating. However consuming meals which might be thought-about low in FODMAPs, chances are you’ll really feel much less gassy and have much less bloating.”
Meals low in FODMAPs embrace:
- Eggs
- Sure cheeses like brie, cheddar, and feta
- Almond milk
- Grains like rice, quinoa, and oats
- Greens reminiscent of potatoes, eggplant, and zucchini
- Fruits like grapes, strawberries, and blueberries
Excessive FODMAP meals embrace dairy merchandise, beans, wheat-based meals, and greens like onions, garlic, and asparagus. Extra detailed info on the low-FODMAP eating regimen is on the market from Monash College in Melbourne, the place it was developed by researchers for individuals with digestive situations, together with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Folks with UC who even have IBS are likely to see enchancment on the low FODMAP eating regimen, says Dibba. “For some individuals, adopting this eating regimen can result in discovering out that they’ve IBS along with UC,” she says. “Happily, these with overlapping syndromes have a tendency to reply properly to any such eating regimen, so it ought to cut back signs.”
4. Eat Smaller Meals Extra Usually
One other technique that may make a serious distinction is to alter how a lot and the way typically you eat, says Farhadi.
“Bigger meals eaten shut collectively signifies that meals could also be in your gastrointestinal system for an extended time, and that would result in bloating and gasoline,” he says. “That is particularly difficult if in case you have a giant meal earlier than mattress, as a result of then you definately’re additionally including mendacity down into the equation, slowing digestion much more.”
Smaller meals spaced all through the day might be simpler on digestion and permit for higher nutrient absorption, which might in flip assist cut back irritation, Farhadi says. When irritation is lessened, that may additionally cut back different signs like stomach cramping, fatigue, and ache, he says.
“There’s at all times a component of trial and error relating to ulcerative colitis and the way signs are managed,” says Dibba. “Nevertheless, taking easy steps like chewing your meals properly, consuming extra modest meals, taking drugs as directed, and figuring out problematic meals can all go a good distance towards stopping bloating and easing any bloating that does happen.”
The Takeaway
- Bloating is an uncomfortable symptom of ulcerative colitis that may be linked to irritation brought on by the situation.
- Lowering irritation general is useful in decreasing signs together with bloating, so a primary step is to seek the advice of along with your physician to substantiate that your situation is satisfactorily managed with remedy.
- Altering your consuming habits by consuming smaller, extra frequent meals, or by quickly adopting a eating regimen low in meals recognized to trigger bloating may assist alleviate discomfort.
