How to manage bloating due to insufficient gastric motility

Insufficient gastrointestinal motility and excessive gas accumulation require appropriate management methods depending on the underlying causes, which commonly include poor lifestyle habits, gastric motility disorders, gastritis, gastric ulcers, and intestinal obstruction.

1. Poor Lifestyle Habits

Regularly consuming gas-producing foods or overeating can increase the burden on the digestive system. Long-term stress, anxiety, or depression may also impair gastric motility. It is recommended to maintain regular作息 (daily routines), eat a balanced diet, and learn effective stress management techniques to help alleviate or eliminate symptoms.

2. Gastric Motility Disorder

Reduced secretory function of gastric wall cells leads to decreased production of digestive enzymes and gastric acid, affecting gastric motility. This condition may present with the aforementioned symptoms along with vomiting. It is advised to eat small, frequent meals consisting of low-fiber, low-fat foods, and to avoid smoking, alcohol, and carbonated beverages. As prescribed by a physician, medications such as domperidone tablets, multienzyme tablets, or enteric-coated pancreatin tablets can be used to enhance gastric motility and aid digestion.

3. Gastritis

Inflammation of the gastric mucosa can easily cause the symptoms described above, possibly accompanied by belching. Patients should eat smaller, more frequent meals to reduce the impact of gastric acid, quit smoking and drinking, and avoid spicy, acidic, fried, and high-fat foods. Under medical guidance, medications such as omeprazole enteric-coated capsules, lansoprazole enteric-coated capsules, or citric acid bismuth potassium capsules may be used to reduce gastric acid secretion and protect the gastric mucosa.

4. Gastric Ulcer

Gastric ulcers can cause localized pain, affect gastrointestinal smooth muscle, reduce appetite, and weaken gastrointestinal motility. Prolonged retention of food in the intestines may lead to the aforementioned symptoms, possibly accompanied by burning pain in the stomach, acid reflux, and others. Eating small, frequent meals is recommended; binge eating should be avoided. Spicy or irritating foods should not be consumed, and strenuous exercise should be avoided. Under a doctor’s supervision, medications such as citric acid bismuth potassium capsules, aluminum magnesium carbonate tablets, or sucralfate chewable tablets can be used to protect the gastric mucosa.

5. Intestinal Obstruction

Intestinal obstruction causes significant abdominal pain and disrupts normal gastrointestinal movement. Accumulation of gas and fluids at the site of blockage, unable to pass smoothly, may result in the symptoms mentioned above, sometimes accompanied by bloody stools. A light, bland diet is recommended, avoiding spicy and irritating foods, and maintaining regular daily routines. As directed by a physician, medications such as raceanisodamine tablets, ceftriaxone sodium for injection, or cefoxitin sodium for injection may be used. In some cases, surgical interventions such as adhesion lysis or intestinal stoma surgery may be required to relieve the obstruction.

It is recommended to visit the gastroenterology department of a hospital for proper diagnosis. Once the specific cause is identified, follow medical advice for targeted treatment. Maintaining healthy lifestyle habits in daily life can help reduce gastrointestinal discomfort.