3. Bloating and Gas: Malabsorption’s Inflated Issues
Digestion is more than just breaking down food. It’s an intricate dance of chemicals and muscles. Sometimes, when malabsorption enters the scene, this dance faces interruptions, leading to bloating and gas, common yet irksome symptoms.
Bloating can be likened to a balloon slowly filling with air. The stomach feels distended, tight, and uncomfortable. But what’s the science behind it? Malabsorbed nutrients, particularly carbohydrates, become fodder for gut bacteria. As these bacteria feast, they produce gases, leading to that bloated sensation.
Gas, on the other hand, has a more evident manifestation: flatulence. While everyone experiences this to a degree, excessive gas might hint at malabsorption. The culprits? Foods rich in fructose, lactose, and certain fibers which, when not absorbed, ferment in the gut.
A peculiar symptom accompanying this duo is a change in the odor of flatulence. A more pungent, and sometimes foul smell, can be a sign of protein malabsorption. Proteins, when not adequately absorbed, undergo fermentation, releasing sulfur-containing gases. (3)
