When To See A Doctor
Before you start feeling worried or distressed about what the bloating could be, make an appointment with your doctor. Be sure to keep track of all of the symptoms you’re experiencing, especially if they are persistent or lingering, and if you notice blood in your stool. A professional will be best equipped to help you diagnose the issue and recommend specific treatment.
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Is Bloating A Cause For Concern
October 26, 2018 By Yenny Rojas
Weve all had that bloated, uncomfortable full belly feeling at some point. Most of the time, its perfectly normal and no cause for concern. On rare occasions, it could be an indication of a more serious problem.; Unless your bloating is accompanied by other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and weight loss, its probably nothing to worry about. Most of the time, diet and other simple reasons such as eating a big meal or too much salt can explain the bloating youre experiencing.; Lets discuss some common causes of bloating, and when bloating can be a cause for concern.
Gastric Issues Make Your Stomach Hard And Swollen
Yes, maybe you are suffering from acidity. This causes the formation of gas in the body. This most probably can be related to a health condition. The causes of a hard and swollen stomach, in this case, include irritable bowel syndrome, acid reflux, and hemorrhoids. Book doctors appointment if you think you have gas often.
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Excess Gas Can Build Up
Gas is a normal part of digestion, but if it builds up in your intestines, it may cause bloating and pain. Gas happens when food that is not digested is broken down in your colon. This process produces methane and hydrogen, which you pass naturally as gas.
If you do experience bloating due to gas, modifying your food intake may help. Here are some common drinks and foods that can cause bloating:
- Foods high in fiber or fat
- Fried and spicy dishes
- Carbonated drinks, such as soda or beer
- Lactose found in milk, cheese and yogurts
Over-the-counter supplements can even trigger bloating.
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Women Showing Their Bloated Bellies To Prove Extreme Bloating Is Totally Normal
Extreme bloating is no joke. If youve ever looked in the mirror in the morning and then again at night and wondered how on earth your stomach could look so different, youre not alone. The truth is, we all deal with extreme bloating at some point. It happens to everyoneeven those bloggers you follow on Instagram, even you, and even me.
All of us create some gas depending on what we eat throughout the day, Kyle Staller, M.D., a gastroenterologist at Massachusetts General Hospital tells SELF. Certain foods create more gas than others. The foods that produce the most gas are called FODMAP, which stands for fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols, according to Stanford Health Care.
FODMAPs are common carbohydrates that arent digested easily by the GI tract, says Dr. Staller. Some are more obviouslike dairy, cabbage, and broccolibut others are more surprising such as garlic, avocados, and cherries. These foods may become fermented in your GI tract and the byproduct is gas, explains Dr. Staller. While most people can handle these foods with no issues, if you have a sensitive stomach, they may trigger bloating after eating.
And a handful of social media users want to hammer that point home. More and more influencers are sharing bloating before and after photosfeaturing their bloated stomaches next to their not-so-bloated onesin an attempt to show fans and followers that bloating is a normal part of life.
You Might Have Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome is a chronic condition affecting the large intestine and routinely impacts those suffering from it with symptoms like bloating, abdominal pain and gas. Dr. Fisher explains that IBS can affect people differently some have more problems with constipation, but others experience diarrhea more often. Either way, bloating is common with IBS.
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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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Bad Eating Habits = Bloating
Its no surprise that bad eating habits can contribute to bloating. Overeating or eating too quickly can cause that stuffed feeling because your digestive system slows down, trying to process a large or fast intake of food. When you talk while eating, drink through a straw or chew gum, you swallow air that can go into your digestive system, causing bloating.
Processed foods, such as hotdogs and chips, also can create bloating. Many processed foods are high in sodium, which makes your body retain water and can cause your stomach to feel bloated. Sugary foods and snacks break down in your body and can make you gassy.
Even what you drink can upset your stomach. Carbonated beverages like beer and soda contain bubbles with carbon dioxide, a gas that releases into your stomach.
I Get So Bloated I Look Pregnant
Hannah Lewis, 36, is a model, who is single and lives with her eight-year-old son in Ascot, Berks.
Abdomen exam: Normal
Diagnosis: IBS
Hannah says: Ive suffered from excessive bloating for more than 10 years and can look pregnant after eating certain foods.
I also get terrible stomach cramps, constipation and severe flatulence. My GP hasnt offered much help.
Some days my tummy is so bad I dont want to go out. If I have an important event to attend, I either dont eat at all or just eat crisps which dont cause me to bloat. Ive tried over-the-counter medicines, but none have helped much.
Mr Wests assessment: Hannah has classic IBS symptoms. Her mother apparently suffered from it and it can run in families.
I reassured her it isnt associated with a higher risk of any other more serious conditions.
Treatment for Hannah is all about symptom control, as her bloating gets worse with certain foods including roast dinners and curries.
Ive advised her to avoid these and keep a food diary to spot other triggers.
Following a low FODMAP diet, avoiding gas producers like onions, broccoli and apples, can improve IBS.
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Eat The Right Amount Of Fibre
Sometimes a low fibre diet is prescribed to people who suffer with bloating because of bowel problems.
Foods like lentils, beans, broccoli, asparagus, corn, wheat, potatoes, artificial sweeteners or too much fibre can cause bloating, says Mr Chophada. Keeping a food diary to see if any specific foods trigger your symptoms and trying an elimination diet can help.
Your gut bugs have a bit of a party when you feed them fibre, which can shake things up while your gut adjusts. So you might find yourself a little bloated or windy, adds The Gut Stuff; team. Try to increase your fibre intake by 5g per day per week over a few weeks to reduce the risk of bloating, advises the team.
If you love bread, here are some breads that may not make you bloat.
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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.
Maintain Good Eating Habits
You can help your digestive system by simply changing how you eat, which, in turn, can improve your health. Try eating five to six small meals each day and be sure to chew each bite slowly and completely. Consume water throughout the day and 30 minutes before and after meals. Do not drink water during the meal.
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You Are Drinking Too Much Soda
Those bubbles in soda and other drinks like beer, champagne, or seltzer are filled with gas. When you drink them, they can fill up your digestive system. You may burp some of it away, but once the gas reaches your intestines, it stays until you pass it. And most sodas are full of sugar, which can make you hold on to water and feel bloated.
How Can You Deal With A Bloated Stomach
Establishing your precise symptoms should offer a clear indication into the root cause of your swollen stomach, and at this stage, you can begin to plot a clear course of action. This is crucial, as the failure to distinguish between fat and a bloated stomach causes many to categorise swelling as a trivial and unimportant problem that only impacts on their physical appearance.
This is a significant oversight, as a bloated stomach may also be indicative of a serious health concern known as dysbiosis. This refers to an imbalance that exists between good and bad bacteria within your stomach, where unhealthy and unnatural organisms such as yeast and protozoa become prominent in the intestines and alter the bodies fundamental nutrition patterns.
This imbalance, which hinders the growth of the 400 organisms that are naturally found in the stomach, can cause a multitude of health complaints in addition to bloating .
So if you have determined that your stomach is bloated rather than covered in excess fat, here are some initial steps you can take to manage this problem:
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You May Be Getting Your Period Soon
Bloating typically accompanies the natural hormonal fluctuations of the menstrual cycle, Dr. Christmas tells Good Housekeeping, and it happens most often during the luteal phase. Thats the time when your hormone levels are rising because its right after you ovulate and your body starts to prepare the uterus for an impending pregnancy, she explains. The luteal phase ends when your period actually begins.
During this time, the hormones estrogen and progesterone increase in the body and are usually to blame for bloating. Estrogen can heighten water retention, and progesterone can slow the gastrointestinal tract, causing constipation in the long run. You might counteract some of this around your cycle.
Left Side Of The Abdomen
Upper left:
This part of the abdomen contains a portion of the body of your stomach, the tail of the pancreas, and your spleen.
The spleen is an organ that filters blood and supports the immune system.
Center left and center middle:
The transverse colon and the small intestine make up the center left and center middle of the abdomen. The small intestine is where most food digestion occurs.
The transverse colon is the upper part of the large intestine, where unabsorbed food is carried after going through the ascending colon. The small intestine is the organ that takes up most of the abdomen.
Lower left:
The descending and sigmoid colon portions are the part of the digestive system that stores unabsorbed food remains and waste before they leave your body.
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Signs Of Other Stomach Issues In Dogs
To recognize when your dogs stomach is hard, you have to be familiar with what it normally feels like. A healthy stomach should not have any masses, bumps, or lumps when you gently press your hands on it.;
Your healthy dog should not show signs of discomfort when you touch his stomach or palpitate it. The belly should not be distended.;
Be on the lookout for the following warning signs:;
- Lumps, masses, or bumps
- Touching the stomach leads to breathing problems, pain, or groaning
- The stomach is hard
You’re Sitting Too Much
Sit all morning, rush to lunch, eat at your desk, barely move until its time to clock out. Sound familiar? This pattern of staying sedentary through most of the work day can make it hard for food to move through your digestive tract, which can lead to feeling bloated, Manning says. ” I’ll often tell someone to go take a walk after lunch to help them to digest so they don’t feel so uncomfortable, she explains.
Speaking of going for a walk, being active can be extremely helpful if your bloat seems to be related to constipation. Exercise helps speed up your bowel transit and helps you to go to the bathroom more frequently, Manning says. So even if youre not interested in becoming a fitness beast, a routine that gets your blood flowing may be what you need to help get your bowels in shape.
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What Causes Abdominal Bloating
- Ascites: Sometimes you may feel bloated due to the accumulation of fluid within the abdominal cavity, called ascites. This is often the result of liver disease.
- Tumours: Very occasionally, you may feel bloated because there is a tumour present within your abdomen, of the ovaries, liver, stomach or elsewhere. The present of a lump or swelling should alert you to the possibility of a tumour or cancer.
- Infection: Certain parasitic disorders can cause abnormal dilatations of the colon associated with symptoms of bloating.
Replace Sodas With Water
Fizzy, carbonated drinks contain gas that can build up in the stomach. The carbon dioxide that makes soda and similar beverages fizzy can also cause bubbling and bloating in the stomach.
Sugars or artificial sweeteners in the diet can also cause gas and bloating. Drinking water eliminates these issues and helps to treat constipation as well.
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Abdominal Swelling And Bloating Symptoms
Abdominal bloating and swelling is described in many different ways.;Some people describe it more as a symptomas a feeling of indigestion or a tight abdomen, and some people define it more as a signthat they can visually see that their belly is distended or their clothes look too tight around the middle.
Depending on the cause, this symptom can come on suddenly or gradually.;It can be something that has recently appeared;or a symptom that comes and goes.
Coeliac Disease And Bloating
Coeliac disease;is a common digestive condition where your intestine cannot absorb gluten found in wheat, barley and rye.
If you have Coeliac disease, eating foods containing gluten can also trigger diarrhoea, abdominal pain and fatigue.
See your GP if you suspect you may have Coeliac disease.
There is no cure for Coeliac disease but, once the condition has been diagnosed, switching to a gluten-free diet should help.
Find out more about Coeliac disease.
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Reasons Why You Feel Bloated All The Time
Being bloated is no fun, and weve all been there. Whether it was an ice cream sundae bar or Chinese buffet, theres been a time that we just ate too much and had to loosen the belt a few notches just to get some extra relief. However, bloating can happen for a number of reasonssome not related to foodand Matt Hoffman, FNP, clinical assistant professor with the Texas A&M College of Nursing, breaks down why youre feeling uncomfortable and a little extra puffy in your midsection.