My stomach keeps gurgling and I keep passing gas after drinking skim milk.
May 28, 2023
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhou Chao
Introduction
Clinically, constant gurgling sounds in the abdomen are known as bowel sounds, while passing gas is referred to as flatulence. In general, experiencing bowel sounds and flatulence after drinking skim milk may be caused by pathological factors such as lactose intolerance, indigestion, or gastrointestinal flora imbalance. Besides these three causes, other conditions like intestinal bloating or enteritis could also be responsible. If discomfort occurs, patients should immediately seek medical attention at a hospital.
In clinical terms, persistent gurgling sounds in the abdomen are known as bowel sounds, while passing gas is referred to as flatulence. Generally, experiencing bowel sounds and flatulence after drinking skim milk may be caused by pathological factors such as lactose intolerance, indigestion, or gastrointestinal flora imbalance. Specific analyses are as follows:
1. Lactose Intolerance
Milk contains a relatively high amount of lactose, which is normally broken down by lactase in the small intestine into absorbable nutrients. However, if the small intestine lacks sufficient lactase, undigested lactose passes directly into the large intestine and reacts with gut microbes, leading to symptoms such as bowel sounds and flatulence. Patients with lactose intolerance should reduce their lactose intake or, under medical guidance, take medications such as Bifidobacterium triple viable capsules or compound digestive enzyme capsules to alleviate symptoms.
2. Indigestion
Bowel sounds and flatulence after drinking skim milk may also result from indigestion. When gastrointestinal digestive function declines, food accumulates in the stomach and intestines, causing bowel sounds and subsequent flatulence. It is recommended that patients adjust their daily dietary habits, reduce food intake, or follow medical advice to take medications such as domperidone tablets or mosapride citrate tablets for treatment.
3. Gastrointestinal Flora Imbalance
When gastrointestinal flora become imbalanced, food cannot be properly digested, resulting in prolonged retention time in the gastrointestinal tract. This leads to volume expansion of the gastrointestinal tract, thereby causing bowel sounds and abnormal flatulence. Under medical supervision, patients may take medications such as tetra-bifidobacterium tablets or lactasin tablets for treatment.
Besides the above three causes, other conditions such as intestinal gas accumulation or enteritis could also be responsible. If discomfort occurs, patients should immediately seek medical attention at a hospital to avoid delayed diagnosis and serious consequences.
