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On gluten-free diet but loud noises in the stomach and gut

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Hi!

I have had Irritable Bowel all my life. I'm 54, male. Over the past year, symptoms got worse (increased frequency of bowel movements (5 times a day, then diarhea, very loud noises inside gut and stomach, felt sleepy all the time). No bleeding or acute pain (except gas). No fever.

I had a colonoscopy 4 years ago: OK. I was checked for Celiac 2 weeks ago (tested negative). Doctor felt stomach for lump: none. I suspect that I am gluten intolerant nevertheless.

I have been on a gluten free diet for 5 weeks (making sure to exclude glutened medication and all other sources) AND on a low FODMAP diet at the same time. Diet should no longer be a factor. Symptoms have decreased significantly (diarhea stopped, bowel movements back to once a way, more or less normal but improving all the time). I feel alert and energized. The loud noises in the stomach and gut have always decreased BUT they are still there (24/24), regardless of food or activity. This worries me.

Is it normal for the noises to continue ? If so, how long should I wait?

Category: Gastroenterologist, Medical

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Category: Family Physician-GP
 24 Doctors Online

Hello,

 

Thank you for asking your query at DoctorSpring. 

I understand your concern and will try my best to help you.

 

I would requires some additional information from you so that I can provide my best learned opinion. 

 

1.Your  symptoms got worse over the last year, but the symptoms are better with gluten free diet. Your current troubling symptom is the loud noises in the stomach. I hope I understood you correctly (Please correct me if I am wrong)

 

2. Are you currently taking any medications ?

 

3. At what point of time do have the maximum symptoms (loud noises ). As in just after food, few hours after meals or just before meals ?

 

4. Do you take milk or milk products ?

 

You can reply directly to this email.

 

Thank you


Patient replied :

1.Your  symptoms got worse over the last year, but the symptoms are better with gluten free diet. Your current troubling symptom is the loud noises in the stomach. I hope I understood you correctly (Please correct me if I am wrong) YES CORRECT

 

2. Are you currently taking any medications ? CRESTOR, PROPECIA

 

3. At what point of time do have the maximum symptoms (loud noises ). As in just after food, few hours after meals or just before meals ? AFTER MEALS, THE WORST AFTER DINER WITHIN THE FIRST 2 HOURS, SOMETIMES AFTER LUNCH WITHIN THE FIRST 2 HOURS,

 

4. Do you take milk or milk products ? I HAVE BEEN WITH DAIRY PRODUCTS FOR 5 WEEKS


Hello,

 

The  loud noise and gargling feeling in the stomach is probably due to increased gas production in the large intestine.

I assume over the period of time you yourself might have formulated a comfortable diet plan for you. So I can understand why you feel that food items are not the reason from this. But there is high chance that certain dietary patterns can cause this. 

 

I recommend the following steps. Please note, you need not follow all these recommendations at once. Give it a trial and error method and see which works. The following are the most common reasons for your symptoms.

 

1. Several foods contain the carbohydrate raffinose, which is poorly digested and can increases gas production. Foods that contain raffinose include beans, cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, and asparagus. Avoiding these foods or eating them infrequently may reduce the amount of gas you produce. Starch and soluble fiber can also contribute increase gas. Potatoes, corn, noodles, and wheat produce gas while rice does not. Soluble fiber (found in oat bran, peas and other legumes, beans, and most fruit) also causes gas.

I understand this is a big list. You need not avoid all of these at once. But go for a trail and error. If any of this forms a major part of your diet you should try eliminating them for a week and see whether this brings any benefit.

2. Lactose intolerance. Since you are comfortable with milk and milk products this is less likely. However you should have a milk and milk products free week and see whether this improves the symptom.

 3. Bacterial overgrowth in large intestine – This could be one reason for the loud noises and related symptoms after food intake. A course of antibiotic is indicated in this case. I usually prescribe a quinolone antibiotic like Norfloxacin or Rifaximin. You should discuss this with your Doctor and get a prescription for a course of antibiotic if indicated. Once you finish the antibiotic course a course of probiotics can be taken.

4. There are some medications like Beano , Simethicone, activated charcoal, Dicyclomine etc that can help in this symptoms. But I do not recommend them now. These are indicated only if the above measures fail and if the symptoms are really troublesome.

Since do not have any other major symptoms of IBS (constipation / diarrhoea / cramps) now. That means your disease is not very active. Try the above measure, the noise should reduce. Anyhow the particular sympotom is not dangerous nor it is a warning. It is just part of the IBS spectrum.

 Hope this helps

Please feel free to ask followup questions.

Thank you.


Dr. Mayank Bhargava
Category: Family Physician-GP
Experience: 
Fellowship: Gastroenterology, Chotiram Hospital & Research centre, Indore, 2009
Residency: General Medicine, Rajasthan University Jaipur, 2008
Medical School:  MBBS, Rajasthan University Jaipur, 2004
Dr. Mayank Bhargava and 4 other Medical Specialists are ready to help you

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