People might confuse bloating with other reasons for a more noticeable belly, such as abdominal wall laxity, or looseness. This is common, especially among older women and those who have had children.
It's important to know the difference so you can get the right treatment. A toned abdomen can make it easier to see a difference when the gut is full of food or stool.
One common cause of bloating is constipation. You can be constipated and not realize it, since having fewer bowel movements than you normally do is just one symptom of constipation.
You may still be constipated even if you have regular bowel movements. Other symptoms of constipation include:. Constipation can contribute to abdominal pain and bloating. The longer your stool stays in your colon, the more time bacteria have to ferment what's there, resulting in more gas and bloating.
Typically, the first line of treatment for preventing gas and bloating is changing your diet. 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. Many people experience bloating directly after a big meal.
It is possible to avoid this by eating several smaller meals each day, which can help to keep the digestive system moving. Swallowing food quickly can introduce air into the digestive tract. Drinking from a straw can also lead to people swallowing more air, which in turn leads to gas and bloating.
People who have bloating should avoid using straws if possible and try eating slowly to avoid swallowing air during meals.
Probiotics are good bacteria that live in the intestines. Taking a probiotic supplement may help to regulate the colon bacteria that can produce gas and cause bloating. An excess of sodium causes the body to retain water. This can cause a swollen and bloated feeling in the belly and other areas of the body, such as the hands and feet.
In some cases, bloating may result from a medical condition. To get rid of this bloating, a person may need help from a doctor to diagnose and manage their condition. Irritable bowel syndrome IBS , can also cause this symptom.
Gynecological conditions, such as endometriosis and ovarian cysts , can also cause pain, swelling, and feelings of bloating in the abdominal area. People with these symptoms should discuss them with a doctor, who will also want to know about any relevant family medical history and other medical conditions.
The doctor may order diagnostic tests to look for any problems. These may include an X-ray, ultrasound , colonoscopy, or blood tests. Typical symptoms include bloating, flatulence , and abdominal pain. Food intolerances are responsible for many cases of bloating. They can lead to excessive gas in the digestive tract. Bloating is common in people who have lactose intolerance and are unable to digest the lactose sugar in dairy products.
Autoimmune intolerance to gluten, known as celiac disease , is another potential culprit. For people whose bloating happens after meals, keeping track of food and drink intake for several weeks should help to determine whether specific foods are responsible.
The American Academy of Family Physicians offer tips for keeping a food diary and provide a template for people to get started.
Some supplements, such as iron, can cause constipation and other symptoms of indigestion. This can increase bloating. Medications may also cause side effects that affect GI function or cause indigestion. If this happens, a doctor or pharmacist can suggest alternatives that are more gentle on the digestive tract.
Although it is not common, bloating and swelling of the abdomen can signify a severe medical condition. Liver disease, inflammatory bowel disease, heart failure , kidney problems, and some types of cancer can cause bloating. Bloating that continues for days or weeks may indicate a health issue that needs medical attention. It is advisable to speak to a doctor about ongoing bloating that does not go away over time.
Ultimately, the outlook for bloating depends on the underlying cause. Most of the time, bloating is due to minor issues that lifestyle changes or OTC treatments can resolve. People should see a doctor if bloating is ongoing or occurs with other symptoms.
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