Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
I always feel bloated, have poor digestion, frequent bowel movements, and have gained weight, which I am unable to lose even after exercise and a proper diet. This has been present for the last ten years. What should I do?
Kindly help.
Hello,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
I read your query and understood your concern.
Living with bloating, digestive discomfort, frequent bowel movements, and weight changes for such a long time can be very frustrating, especially when you are already trying to exercise and eat carefully.
Your blood pressure is normal, and based on your height and weight, your BMI (basal metabolic rate) is in the overweight range. However, the fact that the symptoms have persisted for ten years suggests there may be an underlying gastrointestinal or metabolic issue contributing to them rather than diet alone.
Conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, food intolerances like lactose intolerance or gluten sensitivity, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, chronic gastritis, thyroid disorders, insulin resistance, or side effects from medications can all contribute to bloating and difficulty losing weight.
Among your medications, both Amitriptyline and Aripiprazole are known to sometimes cause weight gain and changes in digestion or bowel habits. Long-term proton pump inhibitor use, such as Omeprazole, can also alter gut bacteria and occasionally worsen bloating in some people.
Since you have already undergone an endoscopy and colonoscopy, the next step is usually to review whether additional investigations have been done, including:
Thyroid function tests.
Blood sugar or HbA1c (glycated hemoglobin).
Screening for celiac disease.
Liver function tests.
Stool studies if needed.
Evaluation for SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth) or food intolerances.
Keeping a symptom diary, noting which foods worsen bloating, can also be helpful because some people react strongly to high-FODMAP (fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols) foods such as onions, garlic, beans, dairy products, wheat, or artificial sweeteners. Eating smaller meals, avoiding carbonated drinks, limiting ultra-processed foods, and walking after meals may also help reduce bloating.
I hope you are satisfied with my answer. For further queries, you can consult me at iCliniq.
Thank you.
Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!
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