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What You Need to Know About Intestinal Gas

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Ask Dr. Lisa

Q: I sometimes get abdominal pain after eating. Could it be my gallbladder? I'm only 30.

A: Yes. Although gallbladder problems are most common after 40, they can strike anytime. The gallbladder, a small sac, stores bile that aids digestion; if the secretions become too thick, tiny stones can form. If one blocks the sac's outlet (which happens often after a meal of fried or fatty foods), you may experience intense pain, nausea and/or mild fever. Without treatment—usually surgery, which won't affect digestion—attacks tend to recur. Talk to your doctor about having an ultrasound or CT scan to confirm the problem.

Lisa Callahan, M.D., is the author of The Fitness Factor (The Lyons Press).