5 Causes of Bloating Your GP Won’t Consider, But Your Adelaide Naturopath Will

Bloating is an incredibly common issue, yet many people find that conventional treatments don’t get to the root cause of their discomfort. While general practitioners (GPs) often focus on well-known issues like coeliac disease or other food intolerances, there are other contributors to bloating that are often not considered in mainstream medicine. As a Naturopath in Adelaide, I specialise in uncovering these hidden causes, offering a holistic approach to gut health.

Here are five causes of bloating that your GP may overlook but as a naturopath I will carefully assess.

1.      Insufficient Digestive Enzyme

If your body isn’t producing enough digestive enzymes, your food won’t break down properly, leading to gas, bloating, and discomfort. Enzyme insufficiency can result from stress, aging, or nutrient deficiencies, which may affect your body’s ability to break down fats, proteins, and carbohydrates efficiently. Without this breakdown, undigested food ferments in the gut, creating excess gas. GPs rarely check enzyme production levels, but I will always assess your digestive efficiency and suggest enzyme supplements or dietary changes to support proper digestion.

2. Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO)

SIBO occurs when bacteria that typically reside in the large intestine start growing in the small intestine, where they ferment undigested carbohydrates, leading to bloating, gas, and abdominal discomfort. While GPs may focus on treating symptoms of IBS, they often overlook SIBO as a potential cause. As a naturopath who specialises in SIBO I will consider this condition, recommending gold standard in breath testing if indicated. Treatment typically involves herbal antimicrobials, probiotics, and a specific diet tailored to reduce bacterial overgrowth and restore balance in the gut.

3. Fungal Overgrowth

Candida, a type of yeast, naturally exists in the body, but an overgrowth can lead to bloating, fatigue, and sugar cravings. GPs may not readily identify a fungal overgrowth as a cause of bloating, focusing instead on bacterial imbalances or other gut-related issues. A naturopath will take a broader view, considering the possibility of fungal overgrowth and providing a tailored approach that includes antifungal herbs, probiotics, and a low-sugar diet to rebalance your gut flora.

 4. Enteric Nervous System (Gut-Brain Connection) Dysfunction

The enteric nervous system (ENS) is often referred to as the body’s "second brain" and plays a critical role in controlling digestion. Stress and anxiety can disrupt the ENS, leading to dysregulated bowel movements, gas, and bloating. GPs tend to focus on the physical symptoms without delving into the role of the nervous system in digestive health, beyond prescribing an anti-depressant. Naturopaths, on the other hand, take into account the gut-brain connection and may recommend strategies like stress management techniques, mindfulness, or nervous system support through herbs and supplements to calm the ENS and improve digestion.

5. Pelvic Floor Dysfunction

Pelvic floor dysfunction is very important to consider as a cause of bloating, especially people born with female reproductive organs and even more so in people with endometriosis or pelvic pain. If the muscles of the pelvic floor are weak or even overly tight, they can affect bowel movements and lead to gas buildup, bloating, and discomfort. This condition is often missed by GPs, who may not consider the musculoskeletal system’s role in digestion. As a naturopath with over 18 years clinical experience, I know when to consider this and recommend a referral to physios who also specialise in this area.

If you’ve been dealing with chronic bloating and feel like you’re hitting a wall with conventional medical treatments, it may be time to explore a naturopathic approach. The five causes mentioned—insufficient digestive enzymes, SIBO, fungal overgrowth, enteric nervous system dysfunction, and pelvic floor issues—are just a few examples of how a deeper investigation into your gut health can reveal the true underlying cause of your bloating.

As an Adelaide Naturopath specialising in gut health, I offer tailored solutions that focus on finding and addressing the root cause of your bloating, rather than just masking the symptoms.

If you're ready to get to the bottom of your digestive discomfort, book a free 15-minute discovery call today and take the first step toward feeling better.

Also download my FREE E-book- 5 ways to reduce your bloating, pain & gas 👇👇👇

If you want 5 ways to reduce your bloating, pain, and gas, get my FREE e-book right now!

This guide is easy to understand, so that you can begin implementing changes today and  
get relief as soon as possible.

Don’t suffer any longer!

A bit about me!

 I am Danielle Elliott a qualified Naturopath and the owner of Tummy Rescue.

I have been helping kids & adults improve their health for over 16 years, with the last 11 years concentrating on helping patients with any kind of gut disorder. I began focussing on everything gut related after my husband was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease. And lucky I did……as my husband and both our kids have Coeliac Disease and my daughter has a dairy allergy.

So…. I am well and truly where I am meant to be!

I love being able to help people to soothe and calm their symptoms, investigate the causes and support and improve their gut function.

I also get to write educational pieces to train practitioners and am often interviewed for podcasts and summits, which is another really rewarding part of my work. I love educating people (this is something I do in every consult), because I do believe knowledge is power. It gives you the tools to make the changes you need to!

So, when you opt-in to my E-book, you are beginning on a journey of learning and discovery, of how you can reduce your symptoms of bloating, gas & pain and improve your gut health.

I would be honoured to help you along the way.

Danielle xoxo