<human>: Hi, may I answer your health queries right now ?  Please type your query here...I have been having gloating in my upper stomach in the evening with hardness. I can feel my stomach bloating. Is there any reason for concern. I am 51 yrs of age. I also have had more bowel movements. Is it just gas?
<bot>: Hi. Thanks for your query. Just a gas ! This can not be a lone problem, we have to find and treat the reasons:::The commonest causes of bloating at the age of 51 are as follows:Aerophobia- the commonest reason is anxiety and stress > you have a classical history of bloating developing in the evening with hardness. The pressure in the intestines and a wish to pass it out may be due to the presence of gas itself. Other reasons can be some specific foods and beverages that are gas producing and now-not-so suitable for you. Please find a correlation and stop such foods. Another is - Intestinal infection with gas producing bacteria. I would advise you to have the following:Take a course of an antibiotic, metronidazole, probiotic, activated charcoal tablets and multivitamins;Reduce anxiety or take medicines for it if needed;stop foods causing such problems there is full response, nothing to worry. If no relief:Investigations:*Routine blood investigations like Complete blood picture, blood sugar, urea, creatinine, liver function tests, thyroid function tests.*Urine -routine and microscopy*Stool: routine, microscopy, occult blood, culture and sensitivity.*Ultrasonography of abdomen, *Colonoscopy All these investigations should be within normal limits for one to say you have IBS.