What are the symptoms of food accumulation?
Disease description:
My son has developed bad breath, and we are unsure whether it is caused by food accumulation. Could you please tell me what symptoms are associated with food accumulation?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Shen Yonghua
The symptoms of food accumulation include abdominal distension, bad breath, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, and abnormal bowel movements.
1. Abdominal distension: Due to prolonged retention of food in the gastrointestinal tract, bacterial fermentation produces gas, leading to a noticeable feeling of fullness in the abdomen.
2. Bad breath: Retained food in the gastrointestinal tract undergoes fermentation and decay, producing unpleasant odors that are expelled through the mouth, causing halitosis.
3. Loss of appetite: The spleen and stomach become impaired by accumulated food, resulting in weakened digestive function and reduced ability to digest and absorb nutrients, causing the body to instinctively reduce its demand for food.
4. Abdominal pain: Food retention in the gastrointestinal tract causes the intestines to increase peristalsis in an attempt to move the food along, which may result in abdominal cramping and pain due to excessive contractions.
5. Abnormal bowel movements: Food accumulation may interfere with normal intestinal peristalsis and water absorption, leading to changes in bowel habits. This may include difficulty passing stool, hard and dry stools, or reduced frequency of bowel movements.
If these symptoms occur, prompt medical attention should be sought, and treatment should be conducted under the guidance of a physician. At the same time, it is important to maintain dietary regularity, avoid overeating, and practice portion control to prevent food accumulation.
