Bloating is a tight, full feeling in the abdomen. Many people find that their tummy actually sticks out and clothes feel uncomfortable, especially after eating. Bloating is usually accompanied by excess wind.

What causes bloating?

There are a number of reasons for excess gas in the digestive system. Sometimes it is due to ingesting too much air when you eat but often it is due to imbalances in the digestive system: Common reasons for bloating are:

Rushing food or eating on the go.

Eating when stressed

Constipation

Overgrowth of bacteria, yeasts of fungi

Food allergies or intolerances

IBS (irritable bowel syndrome)

Low stomach acid/lack of digestive enzymes

Coeliac/celiac disease

What you can do if you experience bloating

Chew your food properly and try not to rush mealtimes.

Avoid chewing gum and fizzy drinks

Keep a food diary to see if your symptoms are related to particular foods or eating patterns

How we can help you with bloating

Bloating is one of the most common complaints we deal with at Eat Well. Treatment varies from case to case but may include:

Testing for food intolerance or allergies

Stool tests to identify bacterial imbalances, parasites or yeasts such as Candida.

Analysis of your symptoms and diet to identify deficiencies in vitamins, minerals or digestive enzymes that may be causing bloating.

Once we have identified the cause of your bloating we will offer you a tailor made diet and supplement programme to address the root causes of your bloating.

Constipation describes at least one of the following:

Infrequent bowel movements

Difficulty passing stools

Small, hard stools

Feeling of incomplete bowels movements

What causes constipation?

Poor diet

Lack of exercise

Certain medications

Hormonal imbalances (e.g. underactive thyroid)

IBS (irritable bowel syndrome)

Food allergies and intolerances

Low stomach acid/lack of digestive enzymes

What you can do if you suffer from constipation

Drink plenty of fluids, including plain water

Increase the fibre in your diet, particlularly by increasing your fruit and vegetable intake.

Take some form of regular exercise

How we can help with constipation

We see dramatic changes in constipation through personalised dietary changes. Often people have tried very general changes but need to know the precise changes that will work for them. We can do this by carefully analysing your diet and health history. Our nutritionists can also identify many of the underlying causes of constipation. Our treatment may include:

A comprehensive analysis of your lifestyle and health history to identify the underlying causes of constipation. We recommend tests where appropriate

Tests for food intolerances and allergies

Detailed dietary analysis to identify specific foods or supplements that may help bowels to work more efficiently

Coeliac (celiac) disease is an inability to digest foods containing gluten, a substance found in wheat, barley, rye and oats. These grains cause damage to the small intestine. Some people may have very few symptoms of the condition but for others it can be quite severe.

Symptoms include can be wide ranging and include:

Bloating, wind

Diarrhoea and/or constipation

Indigestion

Iron, B12 or folic acid defciency (as it affects absorption of nutrients many other deficiencies may occur)

Fatigue

Mouth ulcers

Hair loss, skin conditions, defective tooth enamel

Depression

If you suspect you have coeliac disease you should contact your GP for a test. We can also organize tests for coeliac/celiac disease for you if you book to see one of our nutritionists.

What you can do if you are diagnosed with coeliac/celiac disease

You need to avoid all sources of gluten in your diet. Gluten is present in many foods so you need to read labels carefully. The Coeliac Soceity UK also has infromation on gluten containing foods.

How we can help with Coeliac (celiac) disease

A gluten free diet should alleviate the major symptoms of coeliac disease. However people with celiac often have other problems due to poor absorption of nutrients or damage to their digestive system. Our nutritionists offer specialist advice for people with celiac disease regarding:

The most suitable alternatives to gluten grains in their diet to maximize their health

Advice on associated intolerances (e.g. some people with Coeliac disease are also lactose intolerant)

Advice on how to improve the health and repair damage in the digestive tract to mainatin long term health

Diarrhoea is loose or watery stools, frequently passed. People also use the term to describe stools that are not formed.

What causes diarrhoea?

Short, severe bout of diarrhoea are often caused by a virus or a bacterial infection. This may be the result of poor hygiene. It is very important to drink plenty of fluid if you get an acute attack of diarrhoea and contact your doctor if symptoms persist for more than a few days.

If you get loose bowel movements or bouts of diarrhoea and constipation this may be due to:

IBS (irritable bowel syndrome)

Prolonged use of antibiotics

Parasitic infections

Food allergies and intolerances

Specialist Advice on diarrhoea

Our nutritionists are highly experienced at dealing with the causes of diarrhoea. Causes vary from case to case but we use a number of methods to find the underlying cause of your condition. These include:

Detailed analysis of your diet to identify foods, drinks, supplements or medications which may be aggravating your condition

Tests for food allergies and intolerances

Stool tests to identify parasites, yeasts, fungal overgrowths such as Candida.

A comprehensive health history to identify disorders or lifestyle factors that may be contributing to the diarrhoea

We can offer you ongoing dietary and supplement advice to improve digestive health and alleviate your symptoms

Heartburn or indigestion is a burning sensation which is caused by stomach acid going back up your oesophagus. This may be because the sphincter at the top of your stomach doesn't work properly, allowing reflux of the stomach acid.

Common symptoms associated with heartburn or indigestion

Pain fullness or discomfort in the upper part of your chest

Loss of appetite

Nausea

What cause

What causes heartburn?

There are a number of factors that can cause heart burn. These include:

H Pylori (see stomach ulcers - above)

Stomach ulcers

Hiatus Hernia - you should consult your GP

Food intolerances

Smoking

What you can do if you have indigestion or heartburn?

If you you have other symptoms such as weight loss, difficulty swallowing, vomiting blood, passing black stools, or if your symptoms are persistent you should consult your GP. Other causes include:

Recognise that smoking and alcohol make aggravate the condition

Try to eat little and often

Try not to eat large meals before going to bed or lying down

Try to sleep with your head elevated using extra pillows

How we can help with heartburn and indigestion

There are a number of dietary factors that can contribute to indigestion and heartburn. Our nutritionists have helped patients relieve their symptoms by:

Following our weight loss programme to lose and maintain weight loss

Identifying dietary triggers and food intolerances that are causing the problem

Using appropriate supplements or herbs to address underlying problems with the digestive tract

Inflammatory bowel disease is an umbrella terms that describes Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

Crohn's disease is inflammation of the bowel. This inflammation can occur anywhere in your digestive tract. However, it commonly affects your small bowel or the first part of your large bowel. Ulcerative colitis causes inflamation and ulcers in your large intestine (colon) and rectum.

What are the symptoms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Both Crohn's and ulcerative colitis are long term diseases. People with Crohn's disease have episodes when their symptoms flare up and time when they may have no symptoms at all. The symptoms vary slightly between the conditions but general signs of inflammatory bowel disease may include:

diarrhoea

fatigue

blood or mucus in the stools

a swollen tummy

weight loss

fever

What you can do if you suspect you have Crohn's disease or Ulcerative colitis

If you suspect that you may have Crohn's disease you should consult your GP who will refer you to the appropriate specialist if necessary. There are various treatment options depending on the severity of your condition.

Try to determine if any particular foods trigger your symptoms when you have a flare up.

Try any relaxation techniques that work for you.

How we can help with Crohn's disease and Ulcerative colitis

Once you have a diagnoisis of ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease our nutritionists can help you in a number of ways.

Help with weight management. Most people find that weight loss is the main problem with inflammatory bowel disease but sometimes we see cases of excess weight gain too. Our nutritionists can help you deal with underlying causes in both cases.

Increased absorption of nutrients: One of the major problems with the condition is reduced absorption of nutrients from food. We can give you dietary advice to maximize your vitamin and mineral intake as well as advice on the supplements that may be suitable with the condition.

Help you to identify food intolerances. In some cases partcicular foods appear to trigger symptoms or cause symptoms to worsen during a flare up. We can use food intolerance tests or elimnation diets to help identify any foods that are causing you symptoms.

Give you advice on foods and supplements that can help reduce inflammation in your digestive tract

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)