Q: In the evenings, my husband’s stomach makes excessive gurgling noises and he has flatulence. Why is he having this problem?
A: I assume you are referring to excessive bowel sounds after your husband has eaten his evening meal. The noises generally come from the intestines and not from the stomach. In most cases, this isn’t a serious problem, but if pain, vomiting or constipation accompanies these symptoms, you should find out if there is a partial bowel obstruction.
Gastroenteritis or food poisoning can also lead to flatulence and noisy bowels. If this is the case, other symptoms are usually present, such as diarrhea, pain, nausea or vomiting.
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I doubt if this would last longer than a few days, but sometimes intestinal parasites can hang around for a month or two.
The most common cause of belching, burping and flatulence is swallowing too much air with the food. People who swallow too much air are usually eating too fast, or they may be “nervous” swallowers. Carbonated drinks can also be the cause.
Finally, diverticulitis and Crohn’s disease could be causes. Diverticulitis is a disease of the large intestine, which causes pouches to form in the walls of the bowel. The pouches can trap food and become abscessed.
It can be the result of chronic constipation and eating a diet too low in fibre. Both these illnesses are characterized by pain and
either diarrhea or constipation.
Colonoscopy painful?
Q: I have a family history of bowel cancer and my doctor said I need to have a colon-
oscopy to make sure I do not have it, too. I have heard this is painful. Can you tell me more about it?
A: A colonoscopy is an examination of the large bowel and rectum. This is performed by the doctor inserting a thin tube into the anus and up into the rectum and large bowel.
The tube has a light and magnifying lens on the end to facilitate the examination. The procedure is not usually painful, as you will be sedated with painkillers and a tranquilizer such as Valium, given intravenously. You may be asleep through the whole thing.
Some people feel a little discomfort when the tube is being pushed around the corners. This is more of a problem in people who have twisted or convoluted bowels, or inflammation due to a disease such as Crohn’s.
If the doctor finds a polyp, it can be snipped out during the procedure. Due to your family history, you may need to get checked every five years.
