/ I’ve Got Stomach Issues Could It Be Covid
While there is some interesting research coming out suggesting that a portion of people with COVID-19 do have gut symptoms, if you just have gut symptoms it is very unlikely to be COVID-19. The key symptoms highlighted by World Health Organisation are a fever and a cough, so those are the ones you should be looking out for.
What Else Can Cause Bloating
Constipation isnt the only bloating cause. There are many contributing factors that can lead to a buildup of excess gas in your digestive tract. These include:
- Intestinal bacteria. Sometimes bacteria cant break down all the excess carbohydrates in the stomach and small intestine. When the undigested carbohydrates reach the large intestine, the bacteria located there release excess air.
- Medical conditions. Several medical conditions can increase the occurrence of bloating. These include irritable bowel syndrome, gastroesophageal reflux disease, lactose intolerance, and celiac disease.
- Swallowing excess air. Swallowing too much air by chewing gum, drinking carbonated drinks, eating or drinking very quickly, or even wearing loose-fitting dentures can increase the amount of air building up in your gastrointestinal tract.
In addition to these bloating causes, there are many foods known to contribute to bloating:
While you dont need to avoid all of these foods , avoiding consuming an excess of them can help.
You can also try reducing your intake of certain groupings to see if your symptoms improve.
You should talk with your doctor or other healthcare provider about your constipation and constipation-related bloating if you have the following symptoms:
- frequent bouts of constipation
- sudden changes in constipation symptoms
- unexplained weight loss
Your healthcare provider will be able to recommend different treatments that can help you address your specific symptoms.
How To Treat Nausea
If your nausea is brought on by constipation, you should try to treat the constipation itself first. According to Hastin taking a laxative or a stool softener may help ease your nausea.;
You can also take over-the-counter treatments like Pepto Bismol or Gaviscon.
If you don’t have immediate access to over-the-counter medication here are a couple of tips to get temporary relief from nausea, no matter what the cause may be:
- Place a heating pad against your stomach. This can help relax the stomach muscles and ease your nausea.;
- Sit up straight to avoid crunching your stomach, especially after eating.;
- Apply a cool compress to the back of your neck.
- Drink some ginger tea. Many studies show that ginger is an effective and inexpensive treatment for nausea.;
“However, if you have persistent nausea, that’s occurring over the course of a week or a month, then you should see a doctor,” advises Curtin.
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Make Time To Move Your Bowels
Try waking up earlier to eat breakfast and then move yourbowels. Food can stimulate the need to go, and you probably feel most relaxedin your home bathroom.
But dont get toorelaxed in there the more time you spend on the toilet, the more likely you areto strain for bowel movements. Do not take your cell phone into the bathroomwith you, or work on your computer or read a book, Dr. Zutshi advises.
And if you feel the urge to go when youre out an about,dont avoid using a public restroom. Delaying a bowel movement can actuallymake constipation worse.
Bloating: Causes And Prevention Tips
How often do you hear yourself or friends complain about bloating? We often just say were bloated when we feel full, but for many women, the problem relates to a chronic underlying condition. If you feel bloated often, you may have a condition like irritable bowel syndrome , which affects up to 24 percent of women.;
Linda Lee, M.D., explains common causes of bloating and what you can do to prevent this uncomfortable condition.
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Causes Of Serious Bloating You Need To Know About And What To Do About Them
1. Ovarian cancer;isnt the most likely, but it is one of the most lethal. Although ovarian cancer is only the fifth most common cancer in women, it causes more deaths than any other reproductive cancer;;mostly in women over 50. Risk factors include never having children or having them late in life, obesity, a family history of ovarian cancer, certain genetic abnormalities, and long-term treatment with hormone replacement therapy. Persistent bloating, feeling full faster, and pelvic pain are typical symptoms.
What to do if youre concerned about ovarian cancer:
A thorough pelvic exam or transvaginal ultrasound is the best way to diagnose ovarian cancer. The blood test CA-125 isnt a reliable screening test, but it can be helpful for following the course of treatment after diagnosis.
2. Uterine cancer.;In addition to bloating, uterine cancer can cause abnormal vaginal bleeding, a watery or blood-tinged vaginal discharge, pelvic pain, or pain with intercourse or urination. But its important to know that sometimes bloating or a change in bowel habits may be the only initial signs of uterine cancer. Important risk factors include taking tamoxifen; taking estrogen supplements that dont also contain progesterone; radiation therapy; a family history of uterine cancer; or a family history of a form of inherited colon cancer called Lynch syndrome.
What to do if youre concerned about uterine cancer:
What to do if youre concerned about colon cancer:
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How To Banish Constipation And Lose The Weight
Actually, you can eat;more and;as a result have no constipation or;weight gain. It turns out,;those;who eat more fiber absorb less calories and also find it;easier to maintain a healthy weight.
Whats more, you can do this to by introducing more high fiber foods into your diet.
One of the most important meals of the day is breakfast. If you miss this;important meal youll;have a greater tendency to snack more between meals and then gorge at lunch time.
The result;is that you easily gain;more weight
To get yourself of to a good start, begin the;day with a high fiber breakfast. Good;examples are;wholegrain cereals, porridge oats or fresh fruit.
If you need to snack before lunch, then instead of a chocolate bar, choose the healthier fiber option of;raw;or dried fruits, nuts and seeds.
For lunch,;try a salad, or steamed vegetables.;Avoid white;bread sandwiches or rolls, because refined flour is also constipating.
A healthier option is brown bread made from whole grain flour as its;higher in fiber and antioxidants.
Finish your day off with a high protein low fat meal of chicken or fish and steamed;vegetables.
However, Mother Nature can provide one of the most effective sources to eliminate constipation and help you shed weight.
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Strength Training: Maintain Your Muscles
Strength training helps build and maintain muscles. The National Institutes of Health recommends 1 hour of strength training per week. If its easier, you can break that up into 10 minutes per day.
If youve already established a regular exercise routine, try push-ups, planks, squats, lunges, crunches and sit-ups. Be sure to use proper form and protect your back and neck.
How To Get Rid Of A Bloated Stomach
One of the most effective bloated stomach remedies is improving your diet, since the foods you eat play a huge part in regulating how much air and poop;is trapped inside your digestive tract.
To keep things flowing smoothly, you want to make sure to;eat a high-fiber diet, aiming for about 2530 grams every day or even more.
This isnt too difficult when you eat plenty of whole foods, including veggies, fruits, nuts, seeds, legumes and ancient grains. It can certainly help you to track your symptoms after eating certain foods known to cause bloating, but remember that a bloated stomach is caused by your entire lifestyle, not just the food on your plate.
Some of the best foods for helping to battle stomach bloating include:
Now that you know what you should eat, lets look at some of the foods that might make your bloating even worse. More often than not, some of these foods might be the culprit:
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Burping And Flatulencegood For You Or Just Rude
Occasional burping, or belching, is normal, especially during or after meals. Everyone swallows air throughout the day. If you swallow too much at once, it may create discomfort and cause you to burp, explains William Ravich, MD, a Yale Medicine GI physician and specialist in swallowing disorders and esophageal disease.;
We swallow air all the time. Every time you eat something, 50% of what you swallow is food and 50% is air . You also swallow when youre not eating and if you look at your saliva, most of the stuff you might spit out is all bubbles from air, Dr. Ravich says.
But people have different capacities to tolerate swallowed air, Dr. Ravich says. There is a threshold where the air needs to be released, which is what causes you to burp. ;Some people may reach that threshold quicker. When that threshold is reached, it causes them to belch, he explains. ;
Gastroenterologist William Ravich, MD, consults with a colleague about a GI case.
Plus, eating too quickly, talking while you eat, chewing gum, and drinking carbonated beverages can all cause you to swallow more air and burp. ;
But is burping a problem? In some cultures, belching is considered a sign of appreciation. But in Western society, it is often considered rude, Dr. Ravich notes. I think its good to release gas if its causing you discomfort. But if you dont, the gas will also eventually work its way out.
Red Flags You Shouldnt Ignore
Gas is usually not a medical emergency, but when accompanied by certain worrisome symptoms, its a good idea to speak with your doctor. Colon cancer is one potential concern, van der Linden says. If is in the lower part of the colon and causing a partial blockage, it could make things back up a little bit easier, he says.
Additional warning signs of a potentially serious health issue that requires medical attention include:
- Bloody stool
- Changes in frequency of bowel movements
- Persistent diarrhea or constipation
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How To Eat Chia Seeds Without Getting Constipated Or Bloated
In recent years, the nutrient-dense chia seed has taken the health food industry by storm and rightfully so. Loaded with nutrients like calcium, omega-3s, iron and vitamin E, chia seeds can offer a wide range of health benefits . However, some people have reported side effects, such as constipation and bloating, following the ingestion of chia seeds. Interestingly, other people have found the fiber-rich seeds to improve bowel movement, and in some cases, even cause diarrhea. Also the ancient Aztecs, who swore by the health benefits of chia seeds, used these ‘super seeds’ as a remedy for constipation.
Whether chia seeds cause or cure constipation depends largely on how you prepare and use them. In this article, we provide tips on how to prepare and eat chia seeds in such a way as to minimize their potential negative effects on your gastrointestinal health.
How To Free Yourself From This Vicious Cycle
Whether it is the stress that is causing you to be constipated or whether the irregularity in your bowel movements is making your life more stressful, if you do not resolve the situation, you will be stuck in a vicious cycle. Following are some suggestions that would help you break free.
Know What your Regular Bowel Habits are: Everyones body in general and digestive systems in particular are unique and just because you do not have to go everyday does not mean that there is anything wrong with you. Regular bowel movements can range anywhere between three times a day to three times a week! Know what your schedule is and get comfortable with it, as it will save you from a lot of undue stress!
Try to Eliminate Stress as much as Possible: Our hectic lifestyle subjects us to an undue amount of stress every day; however, you owe it to yourself to eliminate that as much as possible. Is the unfair workload at work putting you under duress? An open conversation with your boss might be in order. Going through a rocky patch in your relationship? Talk things out with your partner, and if needed seek some help from a relationship counselor. Still havent come to terms with your parents divorce? You need to stop blaming yourself and seek help from a psychiatrist if you have to.
In severe cases be prepared to undergo XRays, ultrasounds or MRIs of your abdominal area and a colonoscopy may be necessary as well!
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Can Stress Or Anxiety Cause Constipation Or Bloating
The human body can at times be a very delicate mechanism, which can easily be upset if there is any change in routine, or if the person faces an inordinate amount of stress or anxiety.
Our digestive system is deeply linked with our brain and if we are under stress or are going through a period of anxiety or depression, then it will have a negative impact on the regularity and the duration of our bowel movements.In such situations, consuming extra fiber, fluids or laxatives can exacerbate the situation rather than alleviate it, causing you more stress than what you are actually going through! You need not worry however, as the secret of breaking through this vicious cycle has been revealed in this article! However, before we dive into the solution, it is important to first understand the subtle relationships between our mental health and the ease of doing our morning ablutions!
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When To Seek Relief
Most minor fluctuations in gas and bowel habits are normal, but if you experience excessive or persistent gas or bloating, its time to seek medical attention, cautions van der Linden. A little gas is probably healthy, but a lot of gas, that could be a problem, he says.
Talk to your doctor if gas symptoms change suddenly, become severe, begin to interfere with your normal activities or are accompanied by other symptoms. A physical exam, stool tests, blood tests and imaging tests, which may include an endoscopy or colonoscopy, might be performed to help rule out or diagnose an underlying health issue. Your physician will also review your symptoms and family history and may recommend keeping a food journal or eliminating certain foods from your diet.
Dietary changes, such as eating more slowly, not gulping food or drinks and avoiding or limiting certain foods or beverages, can help relieve some uncomfortable symptoms. Adding even small bouts of exercise to your day can help push gas through your system and ease bloating. Stress management techniques, like yoga or meditation, can help keep you from unintentionally swallow air when youre talking, which can happen when you’re upset or nervous.
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Gas: Whats Normal And What Isnt
7 min Read Time
Everyone burps and passes gas. Some do these things more often than others. It can be loud and sometimes smelly, but gas is a normal part of the digestive process even if its uncomfortable or embarrassing.
Understanding what causes gas can help you feel less self-conscious and find some relief. Its also important to recognize when gas, bloating and belly pain are actually warning signs of a more serious health condition, according to Brian van der Linden, MD, an HCA Healthcare gastroenterologist.
Fixes For Bloating And Gas
Stop swallowing air: Unfortunately, there isnt a magic medicine to make gas dissolve into thin air . But you can easily change behaviors that unknowingly produce gas. Anytime you consciously or unconsciously swallow air by doing things like chewing gum, smoking, drinking through a straw or eating quickly you may increase gas within your GI tract.
More than just beans: Another solution is to decrease the amount of food that triggers gas production.
Dairy in the form of milk, ice cream and yogurt is a big source of gas production. People that reduce or eliminate these items from their diets often see benefits within a week. Pasta, wheat, bran and food items sweetened with artificial sweeteners, such as gum and hard candy, also produce gas.
In addition, fruits and vegetables to watch for include stone fruits , pears, raw apples, watermelon, beans, lentils, onions, garlic, green peppers, shallots, cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts and artichokes. These healthy foods can cause uncomfortable symptoms in the GI tract for many people. Similarly, fiber in whole grains and whole wheat bread ferments in the gut and causes gas.
Figuring out what to eat and what to avoid can be confusing, so we highly recommend working with a dietitian who specializes in GI health to determine what dietary changes are appropriate for you.
Constipation: This digestive tract issue can cause a great deal of discomfort. Fortunately, there are many ways to combat it.
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Is Coffee Good For A Bloated Stomach
Coffee can be great for a bloated stomach, but it really depends on the person. It affects everyone differently. It might be an excellent diuretic for you, while it may cause a long list of problems to someone else.
If you ever have trouble with a bloated stomach for any of the reasons above, caffeine might not be the best solution. It may make matters worse, causing painful cramps and constipation. Even if it doesnt usually cause any issues with your gut, it might if you drink it when you already feel bloated.
You can undoubtedly try, but you should be ready for your body to tell you how it feels. Youll instantly know whether coffee helps you calm your bloated belly or you should avoid it like the plague.
If the latter happens to be the case, take the steps weve discussed above regarding a healthy diet.