Snoring And Sleep Apnea
According to the Mayo Clinic, sleep apnea is more common in older adults, as well as people who have overweight and pre-existing conditions like diabetes.
With snoring and sleep apnea, we are essentially swallowing air, Dr. Lee says. That air all has to be expelled or it becomes trapped, which can be uncomfortable.
Does Menopause Cause Abdominal Bloating
If bloating seems to get worse during menopause, its tempting to blame the bloat on our hormones. But do midlife hormone changes actually play a role? The grand summary: maybe, but its complicated.
Severalstudies have shown that perimenopausal women both with and without IBS have more abdominal bloating, distension, and gas than premenopausal women do. However, its unclear in these studies how menopause causes these effects.
One possible explanation is that shifts in ovarian hormones – such as those during menstruation or during early perimenopause – can increase visceral sensitivity, which leads to bloating or GI discomfort in women with IBS. Another explanation is that the constellation of menopause symptoms – like hot flashes, sleep disruption, and mood alterations somehow worsens GI symptoms in a way that we havent been able to pinpoint. Perimenopausal stress and anxiety could be a major culprit here.
Yet another theory is that Hormone Replacement Therapy may influence GI symptoms. One study found that women receiving HRT had longer colonic transit time – in other words, digested food moved more slowly through their intestines, which tends to increase bloating. A later, similar study found the contrary: post-menopausal women taking progesterone actually had faster digestion. This goes against the typical hypothesis that progesterone slows down our GI tracts during pregnancy and the luteal phase of menstruation.
Why Women Over 50 Bloat And What To Do About It
- Why Women Over 50 Bloat And What to Do About It
Wellness
- Prime Women
- Fri Aug 6
Bloating is one of the most frequently experienced problems by women entering perimenopause and menopause. It is so prevalent that it is often referred to as menopausal bloat. Bloating caused by gas can lead to discomfort and be awkward and embarrassing. It can also lead to tightness around your abdominal area, which can last for hours or days and can result in episodes of flatulence. Women who experienced these symptoms when suffering from PMS when they were younger are more likely to experience them after 50.
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What Causes Bloating In The Stomach
Gas
Gas is a natural byproduct of digestion, but too much intestinal gas means your digestion is gone awry. While you can ingest gasses by swallowing air or drinking carbonated beverages, these gasses mostly escape through belching before they reach your intestines. Gasses in your intestines are mostly produced by gut bacteria digesting carbohydrates, in a process called fermentation.
If theres too much fermentation going on, its because too many carbohydrates werent naturally absorbed earlier in the digestive process, before reaching those gut bacteria. That could be for several reasons. Maybe you just ate too much too fast for proper digestion. Or you might have a specific food intolerance or gastrointestinal disease. Some possible causes include:
Digestive Contents
These can include solids, liquids, and gas. Digestive contents can build up in your digestive system when there is a backup or restriction in your digestive tract or when the muscles that move digestive contents along are somehow impaired. Any build-up of digestive contents along the digestive tract will leave less room for normal amounts of gas to process through. It also leaves less room for other things in your abdomen, including circulatory fluids and fat, making everything feel tighter. Causes of build-up can include:
Hormones
Other Causes
What Causes Abdominal Fat Gain
Unlike stomach bloat that comes and goes throughout the day, abdominal fat, also called visceral fat, sticks around unless you make permanent changes to eliminate it. Abdominal fat usually the result of overall weight gain. This happens when you consume more calories than your body is burning.
For some people, abdominal fat is the result of an unbalanced diet and minimal physical activity. But for others, it might be caused mainly by diet, and more specifically, eating too many calories. This can happen even though they exercise regularly.
Foods that can contribute to abdominal fat gain include:
- sugary foods and drinks
- foods with high levels of trans fats
According to a , carrying excess fat around your midsection can put you at risk of:
- type 2 diabetes
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How Is Bloating Treated
Bloating will usually go away by itself if you adjust your diet for a while. Cut down on salty foods, carbohydrates and fizzy drinks. For some people, it can help to avoid foods that contain onion or garlic, wheat, rye, lactose products or stone fruit.
Bloating caused by constipation can be treated by eating more high-fibre foods, increasing the amount of water that you drink, and exercising regularly. Some people may need laxatives to treat constipation.
If you have a medical condition such as coeliac disease, you will need to follow a strict diet to prevent bloating and other symptoms. If you have IBS, following a high-fibre diet and the low FODMAP diet may help. This involves cutting out some dairy products, wheat and other grains, and some fruits and vegetables. Talk to a health professional such as your doctor or a dietitian before starting this diet to make sure it is right for you.
If you have a food intolerance, you may need to try an elimination diet to find out which food or foods are causing your problems. Your doctor or dietitian will advise you.
Some people find that probiotics containing lactobacillus and bifidobacterium can help with bloating by reducing the production of gas in the gut.
Talk With Others Who Understand
MyOvarianCancerTeam is the social network for people with ovarian cancer and their loved ones. Members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with ovarian cancer.
Are you living with ovarian cancer? Share your experiences in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on MyOvarianCancerTeam.
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What Is Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency
EPI occurs when your pancreas doesnt make enough digestive enzymes. Sometimes the enzymes dont work as they should.
Enzymes are proteins that cause chemical reactions in your body. Digestive enzymes break down food, allowing your body to get nutrients. Children with cystic fibrosis and adults with chronic pancreatitis are most likely to have EPI.
Having A Food Intolerance
Typically, if someone is feels bloated, it is because of their food or water intake, but even if you havent eaten too much, you may have eaten the wrong thing. Certain food intolerances or sensitives to spicy or acidic foods can cause the gastrointestinal tract to have a more difficult time than usual.
An undiagnosed intolerance to foods can cause a lot of bloating, Hoffman said. The body is trying to break down the foods for the body to use, and a lot of gas can be the result of that work.
If you experience a lot of bloating, try keeping a food journal to track what you eat, when you notice bloating and the amount of discomfort you experience.
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Why Is My Stomach Bloated
The most common cause of stomach pain and bloating is excess intestinal gas. If you get a bloated stomach after eating, it may be a digestive issue. It might be as simple as eating too much too fast, or you could have a food intolerance or other condition that causes gas and digestive contents to build up. Your menstrual cycle is another common cause of temporary bloating. Sometimes a bloated stomach can indicate a more serious medical condition.
Get More Active Every Day
Exercise helps your body move stool and gas out of the colon and may make bowel movements more regular. Exercise also releases extra sodium from the body through sweating, which can help to relieve water retention.
It is vital to drink plenty of water before and after exercising to stay hydrated, as dehydration can make constipation worse.
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Medications And Other Therapies
Some medications and other treatments have been found to help ease the symptoms of bloating and distension. Your doctor may talk to you about some of these options, depending on your symptoms and other health related considerations.
Antispasmodics: These can relax the muscles of the bowel and provide relief. Examples include dicyclomine and hyoscyamine in the United States and otilonium bromide or pinaverium bromide available in Latin America and some countries in Europe and Asia and a combination of pinaverium bromide with simethicone in some Latin America countries.
Probiotics: These dietary supplements contain live bacteria that help balance out the existing bacteria of the intestines. Some that include a relatively low level of probiotic bacteria are available over the counter or in yogurt varieties. Other options include Bifidobacterium infantis 35624 for individuals with irritable bowel syndrome in general, and Bifidobacterium animalis DN-0173 10 for patients with IBS with constipation .
Rifaximin: This antibiotic is only slightly absorbed and can be used for short periods of time. Usually it is used to lessen bloating in people with IBS whose symptoms do not include constipation, or in those with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth.
Other options: Medications that increase fluid content in stools, lubiprostone or linaclotide for example, may also be used.
Always Have A Bloated Stomach Here Are 10 Reasons Why
Stomach bloating is so common these days that its been called an epidemic. If you frequently deal with distention, digestive discomfort and a bloated stomach, you probably want to know: Why do I feel bloated all the time?
With most peoples poor diets, high levels of stress, need for daily medications and exposure to various pollutants, its no wonder they suffer some sort of bloating more days than not.
While a bloated stomach is certainly uncomfortable even embarrassing when it comes along with gas or the need to run to the bathroom it might be an even bigger deal than you think. Below well look closer at reasons you may deal with an inflated belly, plus discuss bloated stomach remedies, such as foods to focus on and those to avoid.
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When Should You See A Healthcare Provider For Bloating
Bloating is rarely a sign of a serious medical problem. However, bloating that is long-term and doesn’t respond to changes in eating habits or OTC treatments can sometimes be associated with certain diseases and conditions such as:
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Kidney or heart failure
If you notice you’re frequently bloated or that you become bloated after eating certain foods, you may want to make an appointment to see your healthcare provider. Try to note what triggers your bloating and bring these notes to your appointment.
Counseling And Stress Relief
Many people who seek care for IBS also have anxiety, panic, or depression. Stress is also an issue for people with IBS because it can make the symptoms worse. Research shows that psychological therapy can help ease IBS symptoms. Therapies that can help reduce feelings of stress and anxiety include:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy , a short-term treatment that mixes different types of therapies and behavioral strategies. The type of CBT used to treat IBS may focus on managing life stress. Or, it may focus on changing how a person responds to anxiety about IBS symptoms.
- Dynamic psychotherapy, an intensive, short-term form of talk therapy. It may focus on in-depth discussions about the link between symptoms and emotions. The therapy may also help people identify and resolve interpersonal conflicts.
- Hypnotherapy, where people enter an altered state of consciousness. Visual suggestions are made to imagine pain going away, for example.
General stress relief is also important. Exercising regularly is a good way to relieve stress. It also helps the bowel function better and improves overall health. Meditation, yoga, and massage may also help.
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Remedies For Stomach Bloat
When it comes to bloating, you have two options to keep it in check: you can avoid foods and activities that trigger bloating, and you can intervene when you first notice your stomach feeling full or swollen. The good news is there are as many remedies for bloating as causes. Here are some remedies to try the next time you feel bloated.
How To Stop Your Swelling Stomach
Bloating is a sign that your digestive system is unbalanced. This means the number of beneficial bacteria living in your gut is too low.
Furthermore, a lack of good bacteria compromises your systems ability to digest food, absorb nutrients and eliminate waste. In a nutshell these bacterial are vital for your health.
You probably know that taking probiotics may help to rebalance your good bacteria. Even so, theres still no concrete evidence that show probiotics actually work. In fact, many of their claims have been renounced by the worlds top food agencies including the European Food Safety Authority.
It turns, out the key to rebalancing your digestive system isnt probiotics, but prebiotics. Unlike probiotics, these insoluble fibers ferment in your gut producing nutrients that feed your good bacteria and stimulate their growth.
In fact, using prebiotics is a more natural approach because your assisting your body to produce its owns natural enzymes, rather than replacing them with manufactured ones, as you do with probiotics.
The best sources of prebiotics are raw natural foods such as vegetables and fruit. Now, eating raw foods is very healthy, however there high fiber can actually result in bloating if your system is already imbalanced.
Thats why MX Kiwi Biotic a 100 percent natural prebiotic supplement can really help. Its made from the Kiwifruit which is highly nutritious and is a rich source of prebiotics.
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Swallowing Too Much Air
Most people think of taking in air when they inhale, but it can also be done a number of other ways. Common daily habitssuch as drinking from a straw, chewing gum and eating too quicklyare ways to add air into your digestive tract instead of your respiratory system.
When you swallow too much air you can start to feel bloated, Hoffman said. If its becoming a problem, start cutting out gum and straws and see if that helps eases your symptoms.
Why Does Ovarian Cancer Cause Bloating
Bloating as an ovarian cancer symptom often occurs due to ascites. Ascites is the buildup of fluid within the abdomen. Extra fluid in this space can press on internal organs and the sides of the abdomen, leading to the full, tight feeling. The extra pressure may in turn cause other symptoms. For example, if fluid presses against the stomach, a person may feel less hungry or become full quickly.
There are a few reasons why ovarian cancer causes ascites. Ovarian cancer often spreads to the peritoneum . The peritoneum normally makes small amounts of fluid that help lubricate the organs in the abdomen. The fluid made in the abdomen is absorbed through small channels in the diaphragm. If ovarian cancer spreads to the diaphragm, these channels can become blocked, preventing fluid and leading to a buildup.
Additionally, ovarian cancer may cause ascites when it spreads to the liver. Tumors may lead to high blood pressure within the portal vein . This extra pressure encourages fluid to leak out of the intestines and liver into the abdomen.
Finally, ovarian cancer can spread to the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is responsible for fighting infection and removing extra fluid from the body. If the lymphatic system is blocked by a tumor, extra fluid may not be able to drain out of the abdomen.
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What Is A Food Allergy
A food allergy is an immune system response. It is caused when the body mistakes an ingredient in food usually a protein as harmful and creates a defense system to fight it. An allergic reaction occurs when the antibodies are battling an “invading” food protein. The most common food allergies are shellfish, nuts, fish, eggs, peanuts, and milk.
Bloating: Causes And Prevention Tips
How often do you hear yourself or friends complain about bloating? We often just say we’re 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 of women.
Here are some common causes of bloating and tips on preventing this uncomfortable condition.
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How To Prevent Bloating
Typically, the first line of treatment for preventing gas and bloating is changing your diet. Research has shown that a low fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols diet can reduce the symptoms of gas and IBS. A low FODMAP diet avoids fermentable, gas-producing food ingredients, such as:
- Oligosaccharides, which are found in wheat, onions, garlic, legumes and beans
- Disaccharides, such as lactose in milk, yogurt and ice cream
- Monosaccharides, including fructose , apples and pears
- Polyols or sugar alcohols found in foods such as apricots, nectarines, plums and cauliflower, as well as many chewing gums and candies
In people sensitive to FODMAP-rich foods, the small intestine doesn’t always fully absorb these carbohydrates, and instead passes them to the colon, where they are fermented by bacteria and produce gas. To see if some of the FODMAP foods are causing your gas and bloating you can start by cutting out FODMAP foods and then slowly bringing them back into your diet one at a time to pinpoint any foods that are causing the problems.
In the long run, the key to preventing bloating is understanding its cause. If mild constipation is the problem, a fiber-rich diet, water and exercise may help, but these steps wont always work for chronic constipation. Chronic constipation and other conditions, such as IBS or gastroparesis, require medical treatment, so its important to talk to your doctor about your bloating symptoms.