A bloated stomach often represents a great burden. In addition to a feeling of fullness and a visible, often spherical belly, pain can also occur and mostly outgoing winds. For those affected, this can be very uncomfortable and sometimes embarrassing.
What is a bloated stomach?
In many cases, a distended abdomen is characterized by directly visible signs: the abdominal area is inflated, a clear bulge in spherical shape can be seen.
Very often an enormous hardening can be felt when palpating. In the acute phase of bloating, those affected usually also suffer from cramp-like pain, which can be significantly increased when standing. Some patients are then no longer able to stand upright because the pain becomes unbearable when the body is erect.
causes
The causes of a bloated stomach are very diverse, but are usually harmless. Gases develop in the gastrointestinal tract during digestion. An increased production of these gases leads to a bloated stomach.
These increased air accumulations are usually directly related to food intake. Consuming foods that cause gas, such as For most people, legumes, onions or cabbage lead to such an enormous accumulation of gases in the stomach and intestines that gas can develop.
In addition, eating too quickly can inflate the stomach. Eating too quickly means that more air gets into the stomach and the food is often only chewed a little. The result is that the intestinal bacteria have to decompose these insufficiently chewed food components instead of saliva. This creates more digestive gases than well-chewed food.
A lack of exercise, stress, insufficient fluid intake, food intolerance and the consumption of alcohol, nicotine and caffeine can all contribute to the development of a bloated stomach. If there is an imbalance between the various intestinal bacteria, this can be a cause as well as a disease, the symptoms of which can include a bloated stomach.
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➔ Medicines for stomach ailments and painDiseases with this symptom
- Food- intolerance
- Celiac disease
- Lactose intolerance
- Histamine intolerance
- Cirrhosis of the liver
- Gastric mucosal inflammation
- Ulcerative colitis
- Crohn's disease
- Intestinal obstruction
- Volvulus (intestinal obstruction)
- Drug allergy
- PMS (premenstrual syndrome)
- Gallstone ileus
- Intestinal polyps
- Colon polyps
Diagnosis & course
The bloated abdomen can be extremely painful for the patient in the acute phase. In many cases, the abdominal cavity relaxes again as soon as the wind can release it. Constipation but also diarrhea can be associated with a flat stomach.
In the case of a distended abdomen, the diagnosis by a doctor is usually only a suspected diagnosis. A detailed anamnesis gives the treating doctor information about which further examinations are indicated. A physical examination, such as palpation and listening of the gastrointestinal area or a rectal examination of the rectum, can provide further information about the further measures to be taken.
For the exact diagnosis, ultrasound and X-ray examinations, blood tests, the analysis of a stool sample and a gastroscopy or colonoscopy can be considered, as well as tests for food intolerance.
Often, however, such complex examination methods are not indicated immediately, as the complaints rarely occur.Patients who regularly and frequently suffer from a bloated stomach should, however, be remedied by a diagnosis.
Complications
A bloated stomach can result in a variety of complications. In principle, it must also be emphasized that a constantly or repeatedly inflated stomach can be responsible for many different diseases.
It is not uncommon for intestinal bleeding to occur. The blood loss can begin harmlessly and increase to the point where one or even more blood transfusions are required. In the worst case scenario, surgery may have to be performed to stop the bleeding.
It can also lead to a rupture of the intestinal wall, an intestinal perforation in the form of a hole or tear. The intestinal contents (feces) are emptied into the free abdominal cavity. Life-threatening inflammations are the result. A quick diagnosis and operation are therefore essential in the case of a perforation of the intestinal wall, because it is a life-threatening complication
The risk of ulcerative colitis is caused by an extremely bloated stomach and severe pain with fever and massive circulatory problems. A severe episode of ulcerative colitis can also lead to a toxic megacolon. This is maximum colonic enlargement. The result can be a life-threatening intestinal obstruction, with the risk of rupturing the intestinal wall.
Complications in connection with a bloated stomach, some of which are long-term or even permanent, can also include cramp-like pain, flatulence (low-odor or intense odor), diarrhea or constipation.
When should you go to the doctor?
Whether in adults or in children, a bloated stomach can have many different reasons and causes. In some cases this symptom is only temporary such as after a large meal. However, if the bloated stomach lasts for a long time or longer than one to two weeks, it makes sense to go to a doctor. The cause of the symptoms should definitely be investigated.
If the waistband or skirt pinches because the body is hard and bloated, the person concerned usually feels uncomfortable. A bloated stomach is not only uncomfortable, it can also be the expression of a serious illness. Where exactly the causes of the permanently bloated abdomen are and which diagnostics and treatment are necessary can only be determined by the family doctor or a specialist in gastroenterology (specialist in gastrointestinal diseases).
You should also be prudent if the symptoms of bloating occur regularly after eating certain foods, drinks or foods. And if there are other symptoms and complaints such as nausea, vomiting or pain in addition to the severely bloated abdomen, a visit to your doctor is advisable. With the right diagnosis and adequate treatment, the bloated stomach may soon be a thing of the past.
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Treatment & Therapy
A bloated stomach may need to be treated depending on the cause and diagnosis. Since the complaints are often caused by incorrect eating behavior, a change in food intake helps in these cases.
In any case, those affected should ensure a healthy and varied diet and eat their daily meals in peace. Flatulent foods should be avoided as much as possible, and avoiding carbonated drinks can also bring an improvement. A digestive walk after eating also stimulates digestion, and little exercise often leads to sluggish digestion.
If these points are observed in the diet and organic causes have been ruled out, it is rarely necessary to use medication for a bloated stomach.
Possible preparations would be those that reduce gas bubbles in the intestine and thus ensure defoaming in the intestine. It is also possible to take digestive enzymes to aid the body's natural digestion.
For those who suffer from pain because of their bloated stomach, certain anticonvulsant pain relievers and medications that relax the intestinal muscles are also suitable. However, these drugs only relieve symptoms and do not address the cause.
Outlook & forecast
As a rule, a bloated stomach does not lead to further complications and does not need to be treated by a doctor. It is often caused by a poor diet or increased air intake in the abdomen and can be treated without a doctor. The bloated stomach does not lead to further medical damage, but can have a negative impact on the quality of life. The symptom is often associated with flatulence and constant belching, making everyday life considerably more difficult.
In severe cases, treatment is provided by the doctor in the form of medication and is usually successful. However, treatment by the doctor can only reduce the symptoms. The patient has to take care of a healthier diet himself and make sure that not much air can get into the stomach while eating and drinking.
If the bloated belly is not treated for a long period of time, further consequential damage can result. In part, the inflated shape of the abdomen is retained, even if there is no longer any air in it.
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➔ Medicines for stomach ailments and painprevention
People who are particularly prone to a bloated stomach can take various measures to prevent it. Food should generally be easy to digest, foods that are very high in fiber should be avoided or cooked well beforehand. Vegetables are better to be steamed than eaten raw.
It can also be useful to keep a food diary. In this way, it may be possible to find foods that, due to personal intolerances, favor the development of a bloated stomach. Daily walks and exercise can go a long way to keep digestion active. This also serves to reduce stress and ensures inner balance.
You can do that yourself
A bloated stomach can be the expression of various disorders. In addition to drug treatment if the diagnosis is made, there are a few things that can help you feel a little more comfortable despite the symptoms. If possible, those affected should avoid foods that are very flatulent, such as legumes or cabbage, eat calmly and chew everything well. Warm, moist compresses on the stomach can also bring relief.
People with food intolerances, such as an existing lactose intolerance, will benefit from avoiding the corresponding intolerable foods and looking for alternatives. Teas with fennel, aniseed and caraway seeds can also be helpful. These teas from the health food store or pharmacy have a puffing and relieving effect on the digestive system.
Wearing loose clothing will also help you feel more comfortable and alleviate the discomfort. With particularly elastic cuffs on the skirt and trousers, everything sits much more comfortably even with a distended body. With these little tips it should be a little easier to deal with the annoying complaints. If this advice does not improve the situation, a consultation with your family doctor is the best solution.
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