Gas Bloat Syndrome
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What Is Gas Bloat Syndrome
When stomach gas can't escape through the mouth in the form
of a belch or burp, the build up creates a feeling of bloating
or over-fullness. This bloating occurs naturally as air enters
the stomach while a person is eating. This process is known as
aerophagia.
Gas-Bloat Syndrome occurs when stomach gas that has built up
cannot escape the stomach because of surgery. This is often the
case in a procedure called Nissen's fundoplication.
Nissen's fundoplication helps relieve gastroesophageal
reflux disease, which is also known as GERD, or heartburn.
Since GERD occurs because stomach acid makes its way from the
stomach into the esophagus, it's sometimes necessary to perform
surgery to stop the acid's upward flow.
Nissen's fundoplication involves wrapping stomach tissue
around the valve at the junction of the esophagus and stomach.
By making this junction tighter, stomach acid cannot flow up
into the esophagus.
As a consequence, stomach gas is also trapped and can't
easily escape up the esophagus and out through the mouth. As a
result, the individual who has had the procedure feels bloated.
They may even get cramps.
As a further consequence, the trapped gas will move down the
digestive tract and eventually be expelled as unusually large
quantities of flatulence.
About 25-50% of patients who have had fundoplication surgery
suffer from Gas-Bloat Syndrome. Symptoms eventually disappear
however, in most instances. Gas-Bloat Syndrome generally lasts
2-4 weeks.
Nissen fundoplication is an elective surgical procedure
that's done laparoscopically. It's generally regarded as safe.
The mortality rate is below one percent, and studies show that
after ten years, approximately ninety percent of patients are
symptom free.
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