A bloated stomach causes great discomfort, and there are other cases where this condition is debilitating. Whenever you feel full or have a full abdomen even without eating anything, then your stomach is bloated. Even though this condition is believed to be part of the normal stomach problems, it is actually an indication of trouble in your intestines.
One common cause of bloating is indigestion where the gas amount produced in the stomach is above normal, but there may also be many other underlying medical conditions bloating.
Causes of Bloated Stomach
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
This is a disorder which affects the colon (large intestines). It commonly causes abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, bloating gas and cramping. Despite the uncomfortable signs and symptoms, the irritable bowel syndrome does not cause any permanent colon damage.
Since the cause of IBS is unknown, its treatment mainly focuses on relieving its symptoms. It includes taking fiber supplements, anti-diarrheal medication, avoiding foods that have high gas like carbonated beverages, raw fruits etc, taking anti-cholinergic medications, antidepressants, antibiotics and counseling.
Flatulence
This is a common condition that is characterized by passing of gas. Your digestive system produces the gas when food is being broken down by bacteria and enzymes.
If you are suffering from flatulence, you should try avoiding sugary foods because these are the kinds of foods that your digestive system is unable to break down. Also, avoid foods rich in un-absorbable carbohydrates. Instead, eat foods that are easily digested like bananas, rice and potatoes.
Coeliac Disease
This is a disorder with the ability to damage your small intestine's lining. Coeliac disease has no typical symptoms and signs. Most people who suffer from this disease complain of abdominal pain, grayish stool, foul smell, intermittent diarrhea and bloating among others. There are other times where these gastrointestinal symptoms are absent in people who have Coeliac disease.
If your body is showing symptoms or signs that are worrying, it is best to seek medical advice. Also, if you have a family member who has Coeliac disease, make sure to consult a doctor to confirm whether you are at risk. This is because Coeliac disease tends to be hereditary.
Hormonal Fluctuations
This normally happens when you are in your early pregnancy or premenstrual stages. Before the monthly period and during pregnancy, progesterone levels are raised. As a result, the gut motility is slowed down meaning that food passes slowly into your body. This, in turn, leads to possible constipation and bloating.
To beat bloating, there are exercises you can do. These include taking a half an hour walk which improves gut movement. You should also drink a lot of fluids and eat whole grain, vegetables and fruits to evade constipation.
Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian cancer symptoms are vague that is why most of the cases of ovarian cancer are diagnosed late thus making it hard to treat. Key symptoms include persistent bloating, difficulty eating, urinary symptoms and frequent pain in the abdomen. In such cases, it is advisable you visit your doctor for further testing and treatment.
Constipation
This is a condition where you have three or less bowel movements in a week. The stool is also hard and dry, and most of the time hard to pass. Everyone has at one point in their lives experienced constipation, but most of the cases are short-term and not serious.
To avoid constipation, you should get enough exercise, eat a lot of grains, fruits & vegetables, drink liquids and water in plenty, do no rush bowel movement and consult a doctor on whether the medication you are taking may be the cause of constipation.
Eating Fast or Overeating
People with busy schedules normally have little time to eat. They prefer grabbing a quick bite in order to waste as little time as possible. As a result, they end up eating too fast thus causing bloating. When someone skips a meal and compensates for it later, they tend to overeat, which causes bloating. This is because the digestive system is burdened. Therefore, you should take your time when eating and also eat the right portions.
Warning
Before making any conclusions on the cause of your bloating, you should careful check your symptoms so that you will be able to make the right diagnosis and administer correct treatment. If you are not sure, do not hesitate to seek medical advice because the above mentioned causes may not be conclusive. Your doctor is in a better position to know the underlying cause and provide professional help.
Preventions for Bloated Stomach
- Avoid chewing gum. Chewing gum leads to swallowing of air, which causes bloating. You can instead munch on a fruit, pop-corn (low fat) and vegetables like carrots.
- Limit sodium. Most processed foods are rich in sodium and low on fiber. These two may contribute to bloating. Ensure that the frozen foods you take have less than 500gm of Sodium per serving. You can also go for foods that have labels that read "low sodium" or "sodium free".
- Go easy on gassy vegetables and beans. Eating beans causes a buildup of gas in the stomach. Vegetables belonging to the cruciferous family also have some gas; they include Brussels sprouts, cauliflower and broccoli. When eating these foods, introduce them into the body in small portions until the body gets used to them.
- Try anti-bloating drinks and foods. Foods like yoghurt that contains probiotics and foods like ginger, tea, parsley & pineapple have anti-bloating properties. When properly used, they will help you de-bloat.