How effective are digestive enzymes in reducing bloating and gas?

Doctor's Answers 1

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Dr Wai Leong Quan

Gastroenterologist

Digestive enzymes are regarded by many as health supplements very similar to multivitamin and minerals. There are also various online and publish articles on the use of digestive enzymes as a supplement to treat indigestion and bloating. Some people find these enzymes extremely useful while others are not too impressed with the results.

In my opinion, these enzymes may be helpful if the symptoms one experienced are related to a relative deficiency in the respective enzymes. A typical example is the use of lipase, an enzyme important for the digestion of fat, in a person with chronic pancreatitis.

If your concern is specifically on boating and gassy sensation, the surest way to know is to try out those enzymes yourself. There are many different types of digestive enzymes available in the market and they are usually not too expensive as a trial of treatment.

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Gastroparesis occurs when the stomach rhythmic peristaltic movement slows down significantly. This can be due to many reasons and is commonly seen after surgery and during severe systemic infections. At times, electrolyte imbalances or side effect from medicine may also cause gastroparesis. The end result may be bloating, nausea and vomiting similar to that of a gastric outlet obstruction. Treatment of gastroparesis starts with excluding a structural obstruction and identifying the most likely underlying cause and administer the respective treatment.

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Answered By

Dr Wai Leong Quan

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What TCM treatments are available for gastric problems causing bloating and stomach discomfort?

From the TCM point of view, gastric problems are closely related to the function of spleen and stomach. These two organs are responsible for the transformation and transportation of the food that we consume. When the spleen and stomach is weakened, it can lead to many digestive issues such as bloated, diarrhoea, constipation, stomach-ache, ingestion etc. In TCM, the most common treatment for these internal problems would be herbal medicine. Herbal medicines are prescribed according to each patient's body constitution.

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