Q Just 30 minutes after eating, my belly swells up like a mountain and I have massive gas. Does Korean medicine actually help?
A Rapid post-meal bloating and excessive gas are hallmark symptoms of SIBO. Combining treatment to restore small intestinal motility and reduce intestinal fermentation with dietary management usually leads to a clear reduction in frequency and intensity.
Detailed Answer
When bacteria in the small intestine ferment carbohydrates and produce large amounts of hydrogen and methane gas, the abdomen rapidly distends after meals and flatulence and belching become frequent. To reduce this fermentation, foods that generate gas (high-FODMAP foods) must be restricted while restoring small intestinal motility itself.
Korean Medicine Clinic Perspective
Korean medicine prescriptions that remove damp-heat promoting intestinal fermentation and increase spleen-stomach motility reduce bloating frequency. Many patients notice a change within the first 1–2 weeks when combined with a low-FODMAP diet.
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