Gas and bloating

I had a baby 1 year back by c-section and I didn't have many problems with gas.1 month back I stopped breastfeeding and my gas problem has become bad. I have abdominal discomfort, cramping, belching and heartburn sometimes. My bowel movement is regular. I don't have diarrhea, but the consistency of my stool varies sometimes hard and sometimes little bit soft. My pain is more after eating. I may have some food intolerance as it really bloats after eating certain food. I had these gas issues before pregnancy and in pregnancy it was rely bad. I did find taking milk products made me bloat. My sister has IBS. My age is 39.

Symptoms compatible with IBS

Your symptoms are certainly compatible with IBS or the Irritable Bowel Syndrome. The fact you have been having abdominal discomfort, bloating, cramping, belching with associated hard and soft stool are all classic symptoms of IBS-A or alternating Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

There are other conditions that can mimic IBS such as Celiac disease. You mention your sister having IBS, but I am not aware of any genetic link with this condition. However, when you hear of more than 1 family member with bowel symptoms, you always have to question whether there is a link. You mention certain foods make symptoms worse so It would be a good idea to be checked for Celiac disease. It would also be worth considering whether you have lactose intolerance as you find milk makes you bloat. 1 in 15 of us has primary lactose intolerance. You can have a test called a lactose tolerance test. This test measures your blood sugar level after a drink of lactose is given. Lactose is normally broken down by lactase, an enzyme in the gut. If lactose intolerant, the lactose isn’t broken down and the sugar isn’t absorbed. If the lactose is broken down, the sugar is absorbed and can be measured in the blood. You might like to discuss this with your doctor.