Brief Answer:
Please find details below

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing in to us.

I have read through your query in detail.
Please find my observations below.

1. The gastrointestinal system starts at the mouth and terminates in the anus. It is a long tubular hollow cavity which is modified to digest the food we eat and the cells are specific to the region and function.

2. The food entering the mouth continues to the pharynx (throat) and then in to the esophagus (food pipe). It then proceeds to the stomach which is in left upper abdomen from where it enters the small bowel (duodenum, jejunum and ileum) and then enters the large bowel (caecum, colon). Finally the undigested residue is thrown out as feces through the rectum.

3. From the above it is clear that air in your stomach does not have any route to enter the head and any other part of your body. In the abdomen also the air is inside the bowel.

4. It is possible that you are having symptoms of indigestion and bloating. This might be due to tendency of forming acidity in the stomach. Some people feel bloating after consuming bengal gram, milk and other foods. It is suggested that you have these items in smaller quantities for easy digestion.

5. If you have a burning sensation after food then there is a slight chance of having gastritis or duodenitis and probably a duodenal ulcer. This might require a upper gastrointestinal endoscopy which is done by a gastroenterologist. Please take any medicines to reduce gastric acid secretion as given by your gastroenterologist and if the burning pain after meal persists then you might discuss with your doctor and get an endoscopy done.

6. Please do the following
(i) Have your meal on time and avoid fasting.
(ii) Eat small frequent meals every 3 to 4 hours instead of large meals.
(iii) Avoid taking spices and oily processed foods. Drink adequate amount of water during the day.
(iv) Stop alcohol and smoking.
(v) Do not lie down for 30 minutes after having meal

7. Mental stress is also an important cause for gastric problems and bloating. Please reduce your stress related anxiety.

Hope this answers your question. Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements.

Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.

Regards,
Dr.Vivek

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Brief Answer:
Please follow up with the gastroenterologist explaining new symptoms

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing back with an update.

1. The time for food from eating till passage of stools might vary from 12 to 24 hours in normal people. People with constipation might have a bowel transit of time more than that.

2. The bowel gets cleared with each movement and it is not possible for food to get stuck in the wall of bowel under normal circumstances. However if a person is having diverticulosis which is a condition in which there is out pouching of wall of bowel, then slow movement of food can make it get stuck in these areas and give rise to diverticulitis which is an infection of the diverticula. This is suspected with abdomen pain and fever.

3. The headache and chest pain is a vague symptoms and might be present in people with acute constipation in people who were earlier having normal bowel movements. The lower mid back pain might be for the same reason.

Please follow up gastroenterologist and explain your symptoms and get a treatment for your constipation and make required dietary lifestyle changes to include fiber in your food and avoid gas forming foods. If required then they will do a colonoscopy.

Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.

Regards,
Dr.Vivek

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