The cause of bloating is the accumulation of gases in the intestines and, as a rule, it is the foods that cause bloating that are the culprits of this process.
The slow functioning of the intestine is a flexible tube equipped with a system of smooth muscles, inside which cleavage processes constantly occur. It receives and digests food at one end and removes waste from the other.
Chewed food remains in the stomach for an average of two to three hours, where it is prepared for entry and digestion into the small intestine, then it enters the large intestine. Here, the formation of hydrogen and methane gases during bacterial fermentation is considered completely normal.
Some foods
All foods undergo bacterial fermentation, but some produce gas in larger quantities and cause bloating. This is especially true for products containing a lot of sugar, carbohydrates, fiber, as well as dairy products consumed in large quantities over a short period (for example, two or three glasses of milk at lunch).
We are talking about a lack of an enzyme that helps digest lactose (natural sugar in dairy products). As a rule, this deficiency is genetic in nature, but can appear after a banal gastroenteritis, which destroys all enzymes in the intestines, and also destroys the cells that produce them.
These complications can be permanent but usually appear after very severe cases of gastroenteritis. Lactose intolerance can also be caused by a period of abstaining from dairy products for several months - as a result, the intestines stop producing enzymes. When lactose is deficient, it remains in an undigested state in the large intestine and causes severe fermentation. Lactose intolerance, in addition to bloating and flatulence, can sometimes be accompanied by diarrhea or intestinal cramps after consuming dairy products
Keep a diary. In order to eliminate or reduce the amount of foods that cause gas in your intestines, keep a “Food Diary” and write down all the foods you consumed during the week.
Slow bowel movements
Rich and fatty foods are difficult for the intestines to digest, thereby causing the formation of large amounts of intestinal gas.
Take a walk after lunch. Walking for about fifteen minutes will stimulate digestion and prevent bloating and gas formation.
Some intestinal and liver diseases.
Some diseases can also cause bloating. For example, blockage of the intestines by cancer or Crohn's disease (a chronic disease that causes intestinal ulcers) can increase the volume of the intestines, and therefore the belly. Also, cirrhosis of the liver can lead to fluid retention in the abdominal cavity.
Symptoms requiring consultation with a doctor
Bloating and pain in the lower abdomen are not always caused by digestion, constipation and poisoning. Normally, the abdominal wall is elastic, but not hard in athletic people and soft in not very developed muscles. When palpated, many organs and structures are felt and mixed painlessly. Only mild discomfort may be present above the pubis in the area of a full bladder or in the left iliac region due to the accumulation of feces, especially with constipation.
The abdomen consists of several zones, according to which doctors determine the severity of the problem:
The appendix is a small tube into which bacteria enter and cause inflammation. Severe pain begins in the navel area, but is localized in the lower right corner. The symptom indicates appendicitis in most cases, but not 100%.
The gallbladder is a hollow organ that collects bile. May suffer from infections and stone formation. Causes severe, short-term pain on the right side, radiating to the shoulder or back, after eating fatty foods. Squeezing the gallbladder increases pressure on the stones in the bile ducts. Pain is sometimes found in the center of the abdomen above the navel. The combination of stones and infection causes fever, jaundice, and requires urgent hospitalization.
The stomach and duodenum are often affected by ulcers, causing pain, bleeding, and less commonly, perforation. The pathology is characterized by cramping pain in the center of the abdomen and above the navel. The connection between symptoms and food intake is clear.
The pancreas produces concentrated juices that break down food. Excessive alcohol consumption and stones in the bile ducts provoke pancreatitis due to a violation of the outflow of secretions. The strongest pain is concentrated in the center above the navel.
The colon can hurt in any area of the abdomen due to its location. But diverticulitis, associated with infection in the mucous membrane, appears in the lower part.
There are three criteria for determining dangerous pain:
You should seek medical help if abdominal pain is accompanied by symptoms such as:
The ability to defecate and moderate release of gases are properties of a normally functioning gastrointestinal tract. That is why surgeons are interested in these two points after abdominal operations.
You should immediately seek medical help if gases do not pass away or uncontrollable vomiting occurs. If the temperature rises, bleeding appears, vaginal discharge and intense growing pain at rest also require calling an ambulance.
The abdomen swells when swallowing air, eating fatty foods that slow down stomach emptying, and also after stress. In addition to the digestive tract, the bladder and reproductive organs can cause similar symptoms.
The problem of flatulence and pain is caused by disturbances in the gastrointestinal tract:
On the part of the reproductive system, pain in the lower abdomen in women and excess gas appear against the background of certain diseases. For example:
Other possible causes of severe bloating and pain:
If your lower abdomen often hurts and is often swollen, a few useful habits will help relieve discomfort:
Lower abdominal pain with bloating can be caused by excessive consumption of fiber and probiotics, dysfunction of the liver, gallbladder or pancreas, lactose intolerance, celiac disease, intestinal dysbiosis, parasites and food poisoning. Correcting the diet comes first when solving the problem.
Bloating (flatulence) is an accumulation of gases in the intestines due to indigestion. This process is most often accompanied by bloating, an increase in the volume of the abdomen and an unpleasant feeling of distension from the inside.
Without a doubt, we have all experienced this to one degree or another and know very well what inconvenience this illness can cause. The intestines filled with gases create a feeling of a full stomach, and the colic caused by this brings a lot of trouble, making us feel uncomfortable.
Flatulence also occurs in healthy people, but most often it is a manifestation of other, more serious diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Gases in the intestines can accumulate due to pathologies such as:
chronic pancreatitis – the body lacks the enzymes produced by the pancreas and, as a result, bloating appears after eating any type of food.
irritable bowel syndrome – there is a violation of the motor function of the intestines, bloating in this case is accompanied by pain,
dysbacteriosis – the balance of microflora is disturbed, and harmful microorganisms begin to produce gases (methane, hydrogen sulfide, ammonia),
lactose intolerance – the body of adults often lacks enzymes that facilitate the absorption of lactose (milk sugar),
intestinal obstruction - the passage of gases may be difficult due to the development of a tumor or polyps.
It is possible to temporarily get rid of bloating at home, but it is better to find the root cause of the disease together with your doctor. Remember that traditional medicine is not a substitute for primary therapy, but only an addition to it.
Very often, excessive consumption of various types of carbonated drinks leads to excessive accumulation of gases in the esophagus. Usually, such bloating goes away without causing any particular inconvenience, since gases in a healthy person are quickly absorbed by the intestinal walls or eliminated physiologically.
It is also possible for air to enter the stomach in large portions while eating. Therefore, you should not rush while eating food.
Remember that some foods, consumed in large quantities, cause a fermentation reaction and, as a result, gas formation. To avoid undesirable consequences, you should moderate your consumption of sweets and baked goods, brown bread, beans, potatoes and other foods containing large amounts of easily digestible carbohydrates, fiber or starch.
Another reason for the accumulation of gases is the mixing of foods that should be eaten separately from each other. This is especially true for fruits, which should be eaten either an hour before the main meal, or no earlier than 2 hours after a meal.
Sometimes the cause of bloating can be an attempt to get rid of heartburn by drinking soda, since it neutralizes the acidic environment of gastric juice and provokes increased gas formation.
Bloating is also the main symptom of a rare disease called celiac disease. According to statistics, in Russia 1 person out of 1000 suffers from celiac disease. With celiac disease, gluten is not completely broken down, forming toxic substances that damage the inner surface of the intestine. It is treated exclusively with a gluten-free diet, or by constantly taking enzyme preparations that will help break down gluten.
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Most often, bloating is not an independent disease, but only a symptom of other, more serious diseases of the digestive system.
Excessive formation of gases in the intestines is possible with chronic pancreatitis, a disease in which the body lacks enzymes produced by the pancreas. In this case, bloating usually occurs after eating, regardless of its composition.
Flatulence can also be caused by irritable bowel syndrome. In this case, the motor function of an anatomically healthy intestine is disrupted, and bloating is accompanied by abdominal pain, and in some cases also diarrhea or constipation.
The cause of bloating may be intestinal obstruction caused by a tumor or polyps. In this case, the passage of gases from the intestines becomes difficult and leads to flatulence.
Excessive gas formation may be a consequence of intestinal dysbiosis. Due to a decrease in the protective properties of the body, microflora is disrupted in the large intestine. Harmful microbes that enter there produce gases in large quantities (mainly ammonia, methane and hydrogen sulfide). This process leads to bloating, accompanied by a foul odor.
Also, flatulence often accompanies individual lactose intolerance - a condition in which the body lacks enzymes that allow a person to digest dairy products.
Bloating and abdominal pain. The pain is usually short-term but painful. The discomfort goes away when the gas passes through the intestines. Pain can occur at various points in the abdominal cavity and, passing through the intestines, change location. If you experience prolonged and intense pain over a long period of time, this may be a signal that the cause is not bloating, but some more serious illness.
In most cases, flatulence is associated with poor diet. In a healthy person, bloating can be caused by accidentally swallowing a large portion of air with food, or by drinking highly carbonated drinks. Also, unpleasant sensations can occur if a particular food is poorly absorbed by the body. Therefore, instead of being digested, it begins to form gases.
Another cause of bloating may be dairy foods. To digest this type of food, the enzyme lactose is needed. If there is insufficient quantity, milk and similar products can cause discomfort. The cause may also be products made from coarse fiber or starch, for example, seeds, cabbage, potatoes, nuts, oats. If flatulence occurs frequently, such products should be excluded. And, if you consume them, you should remember that these types of products must be chewed very carefully, otherwise discomfort may occur.
One day after bloating, you should give your intestines a rest. You should only eat boiled rice and wash it down with herbal teas. Subsequently, you should reconsider your diet. For meat, you should give preference to chicken, turkey and veal, and for cereals, rice. Milk should be replaced with fermented milk products (cheese, yoghurt). You need to drink teas made from mint, St. John's wort and chamomile. It is good to add spices and herbs to dishes that reduce gas formation: ginger, cumin, cardamom, parsley, dill, fennel.
To understand which specific foods cause bloating, you should focus on your feelings. Monitor the sensations you experience while taking a particular product and draw conclusions. Medical intervention, in most cases, is limited to taking enzyme preparations. And if infection or bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract is suspected, antibiotics are prescribed.
The most common way to combat bloating is the use of activated carbon (1 g three times a day). You should also exclude foods that promote fermentation from your diet. Such provocateurs can be baked goods, sweets, milk, fresh vegetables, peas and beans.
Physical exercises aimed at normalizing intestinal function can also improve overall well-being and relieve discomfort. To do this, you should do morning exercises every day, including squats and leg raises. Swimming, race walking or jogging will also be helpful.
If bloating is not caused by poor nutrition, but is a consequence of some disease, then the cause of flatulence itself should be treated by consulting a doctor.
Author of the article: Elena Ivanovna Gorshenina, gastroenterologist
Probably everyone is familiar with the feeling after a heavy lunch or dinner when your stomach expands, filling with food. You feel this especially well when you eat food that provokes gas formation in the gastrointestinal tract. This type of bloating is completely normal and does not pose a health risk. But sometimes your belly gets bigger without any connection to food intake. Let's try to figure out why this happens.
As you probably know, the stomach is a container for a large number of different organs, and the largest vessels of the human body pass through it. Each of them can cause swelling. Let's consider the most common reasons for its development and your actions if it occurs.
Of course, the most common cause is the accumulation of gases in the intestinal cavity and stomach. Where do these gases come from? In principle, there is no mystery here; there are two ways. The first is swallowing air along with food, often this does not happen voluntarily, the person does not even notice it. The air accumulated in the stomach escapes back through the esophagus, and belching develops. The second way is the release of gases during the digestion of food. Symbiote bacteria live in our intestines; they help us break down plant foods that enter the body, and during this digestion they release methane and hydrogen sulfide, which swell the intestinal cavity. If these gases are produced too much, you feel discomfort, your stomach swells, and pain and heaviness may appear. If you still have contractile activity of the intestines, then it’s okay in a couple of hours everything will pass and the gases will leave your body. However, if you have problems with motor skills, you may need help. It’s enough to simply check whether your stomach is swollen with gases; you need to tap it with your finger; if you hear a loud sound, like hitting a drum, then it’s really gas, and if the sound is dull, it’s not gas that’s causing bloating.
Getting rid of this problem is relatively simple, just change your diet, cure dysbacteriosis and start taking enzyme preparations. Of course, not only dysbacteriosis and poor nutrition can lead to bloating of the intestines with gases. Before starting treatment, be sure to consult a gastroenterologist.
The second most common, and much more dangerous, cause of bloating is the accumulation of fluid in it, a condition called ascites . Where does fluid come from in the stomach? It sweats into the space between the intestines from the vessels; in fact, it is blood plasma that comes out of the tissues and accumulates in the abdominal cavity.
The most common cause of this condition is cirrhosis. This is a condition in which there is severe liver damage and a significant portion of the liver tissue is replaced by fat. The liver works worse and worse, tries to compensatoryly enlarge in the hepatic veins and, as a result, there is stagnation of blood in the intestinal veins, and as a result, leakage of fluid from the vessels into the body cavities. In this case, into the abdominal cavity. With severe cirrhosis, 5-7 liters of fluid can accumulate in a person’s abdomen.
But not only cirrhosis can lead to fluid accumulation in the abdomen. Decompensated heart disease causes similar symptoms. The mechanism of development of such edema is somewhat different from the way in which ascites occurs in cirrhosis. If, when the liver is damaged, almost exclusively the veins of the abdominal cavity are affected, then when the heart is damaged, the left ventricle weakens and cannot push blood through all the vessels. As a result, it begins to accumulate in the lower parts of the human body, first of all the feet swell, then the swelling rises higher and higher. If you do not treat them in time, the fluid in you will rise to the abdominal cavity, and then higher into the lungs. You will not be able to breathe fully, shortness of breath and hemoptysis will appear. You should not wait until it comes to this; if your legs are swollen and your stomach begins to enlarge, immediately contact a cardiologist for medical help.
An equally serious disease that can lead to ascites is cancer. A tumor in the abdominal cavity of any location can lead to fluid accumulation. As a rule, ascites in a malignant formation indicates an advanced tumor process, most likely with metastases to the peritoneum, and is already inoperable.
Of course, we should mention another, this time non-pathological, reason for an enlarged abdomen - pregnancy. If you are a woman and are sexually active, then if you notice an increase in your abdomen, just in case, check to see if you are pregnant.
The abdomen can also increase locally; asymmetrical bloating is an alarming sign; no non-pathological condition can cause it. If a protrusion is observed in the right hypochondrium, then it is most likely associated with an enlarged liver. If you do not drink alcohol regularly and do not have cirrhosis, you should seek medical help immediately. A rapid enlargement of the liver occurs when it is toxic or when tumors metastasize; in any case, even a few hours of delay can lead to the fact that your health will be irrevocably ruined.
If you see a protrusion near the navel, or in the area of a postoperative scar, it is soft to the touch and does not hurt, then most likely it is a hernia . Although this condition does not require immediate medical attention, it can be potentially dangerous to your health. A section of the intestine may be pinched in the hernial orifice, deprived of oxygen and die, as a result of which you will develop peritonitis. In fact, it is an abscess of the entire stomach, and in the best clinics in the world they die from it in 60% of cases. Consider whether you are willing to take such a risk.
In addition to the above diseases, there are many other reasons that can lead to bulging or enlargement of the entire abdomen. Therefore, if you are not sure about the cause of abdominal enlargement, consult a doctor. Remember that your health is in your hands.
October 24, 2013
Bloating is a condition in which a person is bothered by increased gas formation in the gastrointestinal tract .
If flatulence becomes a constant problem, then a person begins to wonder why constant bloating bothers him over a long period of time. Constant gas formation causes significant discomfort. Normally, when eating food, a small amount of air is swallowed, and a little later it comes back out, so only part of this air passes through the stomach into the intestines. Frequent bloating is a concern for those who swallow large amounts of air. At the same time, there is a constant feeling of fullness in the stomach. It is quite understandable that a person prone to increased gas formation is also concerned about the fact why bloating appears in an inappropriate environment.
Normally, gases are released about 10 times a day. In people suffering from increased gas formation, this happens much more often.
Very often, with increased formation of gases, a person is bothered by nausea and bloating. In addition to abdominal pain, heartburn , vomiting , belching , and diarrhea . The temperature may rise, general weakness and dizziness may occur.
Pain in the abdomen is a consequence of the accumulation of gases in the intestinal lumen. They irritate pain receptors in the intestinal walls. After releasing gas, the pain decreases. Pain can manifest itself in the form of periodic spasms, noted in different points of the abdomen. At the same time, the abdomen is enlarged and very tense. Severe bloating causes intense, but usually short-term pain.
Severe bloating and abdominal pain are often the result of eating foods that are rich in fiber. It is fiber, which is found in large quantities in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and legumes, that provokes increased gas formation, as a result of which a person has a stomach ache, and bloating can bother him for a long time. Sometimes bloating causes lower back pain and other symptoms. The same problems occur due to frequent consumption of carbonated drinks containing carbon dioxide.
There are other causes of bloating in women and men. For example, the causes of bloating after eating can be determined by swallowing air during eating. A person swallows especially a lot of air, eating food hastily, talking while eating.
Sometimes severe bloating is the body's reaction to a stressful situation. Due to emotional overload, intestinal smooth muscles spasm peristalsis .
Constant bloating often begins to occur as a person ages. The reason for this phenomenon is age-related weakness of the intestinal muscles. Symptoms of bloating can occur in women who are menstruating.
However, it is worth remembering that belching and bloating may indicate the development of a chronic disease. Bloating, nausea, abdominal pain and other symptoms can occur with colon cancer , diverticulum , ulcerative colitis , etc.
Sometimes the causes of flatulence lie in taking certain medications. For example, antibiotics destroy intestinal microflora and provoke dysbacteriosis . If a person abuses laxatives, over time this leads to problems with the formation of gases.
Persistent bloating and gas are common in people who suffer from constipation . Feces that are retained in the intestines make it difficult to pass gases. As a result, constipation leads to the fact that a person experiences periodic abdominal pain and frequent bloating.
Most often, those people who do not pay attention to the rules of a healthy diet complain about bloating and gas formation. Therefore, doctors strongly recommend that if increased gas formation occurs, you must seriously adjust your diet. If gas formation is observed after a person has eaten a specific food, then food intolerance can be suspected. Some people suffer from lactose , which can manifest itself both from the first years of life and later, at school age. With celiac disease, the body does not accept cereal proteins
Severe bloating during pregnancy is a very common occurrence in women who are carrying a baby. Abdominal bloating in the early stages begins to bother a woman due to the fact that the pancreas does not produce enough enzymes during pregnancy. As a result, food is not digested as intensively. During pregnancy, the uterus gradually enlarges and puts pressure on the intestines. Because of this, intestinal motor functions are disrupted, and the woman has a constant feeling of heaviness and bloating in the abdomen. We should not forget that during pregnancy a woman's hormonal levels , so the first signs of pregnancy are often expressed by bloating. Bloating as a sign of pregnancy can appear already in the first weeks. Despite the fact that bloating during pregnancy, as a rule, is not a pathology, if you constantly experience flatulence and bloating, you should tell your doctor about these symptoms. After all, a pregnant woman can develop pancreatitis , colitis and other gastrointestinal diseases.
Heaviness and bloating in women can manifest themselves in different ways in the period before the onset of menstruation. As a rule, a woman gradually begins to feel that her bloating is increasing. Pain and bloating affect the entire lower abdomen, but sometimes the pain is localized to the lower left or lower right.
Newborn babies often suffer from bloating. This phenomenon is commonly called intestinal colic. The causes of bloating in newborns are physiological in nature: the child’s gastrointestinal tract has a special structure. Gradually, over time, the digestive system matures and the colic stops. However, severe bloating after eating in a baby may also indicate gastrointestinal diseases. Therefore, consult a doctor if bloating and abdominal pain constantly bother your baby.
Despite the fact that there are many reasons leading to bloating, sometimes increased gas formation is mistaken by a person for other ailments. In some cases, a person confuses bloating of the stomach and abdomen with a heart attack , appendicitis , or gallstone disease . Only consultation with a doctor and examination will allow you to establish the correct diagnosis. You should definitely consult a specialist if abdominal pain continues for a very long time and is accompanied by vomiting, weight loss, fever, and the appearance of blood in the stool.
Often, to eliminate increased gas formation, you only need to adjust your daily diet. If a person manages to determine which foods provoke bloating, then simply eliminating them from the diet can normalize the situation. Sometimes bloating is caused by eating too fatty and fried foods. You can also temporarily reduce the amount of plant fiber in your diet.
If a person is worried about increased gas formation, then only a doctor can choose the best remedy for bloating. Any medications should be taken only after a correct diagnosis has been established. An attack of flatulence, caused by errors in nutrition, can be relieved by such an effective remedy as activated carbon . It is necessary to thoroughly crush 3 tablets of coal and wash down the powder with water. For adult patients, the doctor may prescribe a course of treatment with drugs containing enzymes that help break down lactose.
Which anti-bloating tablets to choose depends on the frequency of this symptom. If increased gas formation occasionally bothers a person, drugs based on simethicone . These are Espumisan and other well-known remedies. Such medications are also used in the postoperative period.
Traditional medicine can also answer the question of what is the best cure for bloating. There are effective recipes for herbal remedies, the use of which significantly alleviates the condition of adults and children prone to bloating.
Traditional treatment for bloating involves the use of recipes that include chamomile , cumin and dill seeds , valerian root , yarrow herb , etc. Sometimes treatment with folk remedies allows you to completely replace any pills. However, the uncontrolled use of folk remedies can subsequently lead to unexpectedly unpleasant consequences. Therefore, it is best to initially tell your doctor about all the symptoms that accompany bloating. The patient must inform him whether he is bothered by diarrhea , constipation , belching , etc. It is especially important not to use folk recipes without the approval of a doctor when treating flatulence in children. In addition, when taking herbal decoctions and infusions, the dosage, preparation characteristics, and time of administration are important - before or after meals. Even if a person has proven ways to get rid of bloating, this does not mean that in a particular case they will be effective.
To relieve the symptoms of bloating in a newborn, many methods are practiced. A light abdominal massage or applying a warm diaper to the tummy can alleviate the child’s condition. If the baby is very restless, after consultation with the pediatrician, he can be given some medications. These are drugs with bifidobacteria and lactobacilli simethicone- based products .
Flatulence often occurs in people who smoke, as well as in those who are used to leading a sedentary lifestyle. If bloating is a frequent symptom, it is advisable to eat more often, but in smaller portions. It is advisable to always eat food in a calm environment, without haste. This way the digestive system will work more smoothly.
A woman who closely monitors her menstrual cycle will notice a change in how she feels at different periods. For example, sometimes bloating occurs after ovulation. What could be the reason for this manifestation?
Bloating after ovulation is most often a reaction to the monthly process during which the wall of the follicle element ruptures and a cell emerges ready to be fertilized. Due to the rupture, along with the swelling, you can feel a slight pain on the side below, in the area of the ovary.
And bloating during ovulation is a reaction to the process of the egg moving through the fallopian tubes. In this case, flatulence is often observed. Due to the fact that gases are absorbed into the blood, minor intoxication may occur, manifested by weakness and headache.
Some doctors even call bloating one of the indicators of impending ovulation. In general, this is normal. But a belly that swells on the eve of ovulation occurs due to problems with diet or diet. This means that a woman needs to make adjustments to her diet, perhaps reducing the amount of carbohydrates.
Additional reasons why a woman may feel bloated after ovulation:
Most of these processes are natural and may not cause concern. Thus, hormonal changes are associated with the fact that during ovulation the uterus slightly enlarges due to the increase in the endometrial layer. If a woman does not have very developed abdominal muscles, a peculiar effect of a bloated belly occurs.
During this period, additional blood flows to the uterus and its appendages. This affects not only the genitals, but also nearby organs. Because of this, a disorder in the functioning of the digestive system occurs, gases and constipation appear.
In addition to bloating, some women also experience mild swelling not only in the lower abdomen, but also in the fingers and toes. This happens because the body, in preparation for blood loss during menstruation, makes peculiar reserves of the fluid it needs in different parts of the body.
Bloating can become a unique symptom of approaching menstruation, along with nagging pain in the abdomen, fatigue, nausea, and a slight increase in temperature.
But sometimes, swelling and pain can signal pathological processes occurring in the body, for example, uterine fibroids. If you experience frequent bloating and pain, it is better to consult a doctor. If there are appropriate accompanying signs, bloating may indicate pregnancy.
As already mentioned, most often this physical condition occurs after the destruction of the follicle shell and the release of the egg, which the body perceives as microtrauma. In this case, pain usually occurs on the side where the ovary is located, from which the egg was released in a given cycle. Each cycle the ovaries alternate.
The strength of the unpleasant sensations is determined by the woman’s individual pain threshold. But mostly it is a slight nagging pain that disappears after a few days. According to statistics, every fifth woman experiences such symptoms.
This feeling is often considered one of the first signs of pregnancy. The reason for such sensations is a change in the endometrium, which is accompanied by damage to tissues and blood vessels. In this case, the fertilized cell attaches to the walls of the uterus, which causes pulling sensations in the lower abdomen.
The pain is sometimes accompanied by light bloody implantation discharge, nausea, and swelling of the mammary glands. Taken together, these signs indicate that conception has occurred. You can do a test to check whether conception has occurred one and a half to two weeks after the appearance of bloating and other symptoms.
But it must be borne in mind that in the case of pregnancy, bloating can also signal that the fertilized egg has attached in the wrong place and an ectopic pregnancy has occurred. An ultrasound examination performed as soon as possible will help eliminate this possibility.
If the test turns out to be negative, and discomfort continues to appear regularly, it is better to visit a doctor to make sure that this condition is not a harbinger of problems in the body.
To avoid unpleasant phenomena such as constipation and gas during ovulation, it is better to follow a small diet during this period:
In addition, when a woman feels this way, she should not lie down, but rather be mobile in order to avoid constipation and activate her abdominal muscles. By the way, by eliminating digestive problems during the period of ovulation, you can come to the point that such harbingers of critical days as irritability and nervousness will disappear.
A slight bloating on the day of ovulation or after it, accompanied by mild pain, may not be a cause for concern and goes away in 2-3 days. Most likely, they occur due to the rupture of the follicle wall and the release of the egg. But if a woman tried to conceive a child, the appearance of these symptoms indicates a successful result of her attempt. You can find out about pregnancy already a week and a half after bloating appears. If such bloating appears regularly, and with it comes discomfort in the intestines, flatulence and disorders, this is a reason for a woman to make changes to her diet.
When a person is healthy, his attention is not attracted either to the work of the heart and circulatory system, or to how the organs of his abdomen function. And although the intestines always serve as a place in which gases are formed and move - they help food move in the right direction - normally a person does not feel either their appearance or release.
If you feel bloating and increased gas production, it means that there is some problem in the body. Basically, this disorder is temporary, caused by the consumption of certain foods or changes in the intestinal microflora.
But various diseases can also cause bloating:
The feeling of a bloated abdomen can also accompany neuropsychiatric disorders and life-threatening illnesses requiring surgical intervention. There is a difference between these diseases and conditions. It is not always noticeable, but we will try to identify it by describing all the causes and treatment of bloating in this article.
Gas formation occurs constantly:
As a result, about 1.5 liters of gases per day are normally formed in the intestines. They consist of:
After formation, intestinal gases travel in three ways:
Conventionally, the causes of bloating and gas formation can be divided into several groups:
There are quite a lot of products that cause gas formation in the intestines; according to the strength of gas formation, they can be roughly divided as follows:
Both adults and children will experience bloating when they consume dairy products if they are low in the lactase enzyme (mostly a genetic trait). In this case, milk sugar (lactose) cannot be converted into a form that will be absorbed.
Lactose enters the large intestine without enzymatic breakdown, and becomes a breeding ground for the bacteria living there. In the process of feeding on milk sugar, bacteria release carbon dioxide, hydrogen and methane, and these gases cause a bloated belly. In addition, lactose itself, being a carbohydrate, attracts a large amount of water into the intestines, resulting in diarrhea.
During pregnancy, bloating can be caused by reasons unrelated to illness. In the early stages, the reason is that under the influence of the hormone progesterone, whose main task is to relax the uterus, preventing it from pushing out the developing fetus, the muscle tone of the stomach and intestines decreases. Food passes more slowly, and this increases the time it is exposed to beneficial bacteria - fermentation increases. In addition, the elimination of gases slows down, so they accumulate in the intestines, causing bloating, rumbling in the stomach, belching and constipation.
Progesterone not only slows down intestinal motility, it also inhibits the production of pancreatic enzymes that are involved in the digestion of food, which leads to increased gas formation.
In the third trimester, compression of the intestines by the pregnant uterus makes it difficult for food to move through and increases fermentation (especially if the woman eats a lot of sweets).
Of course, even during pregnancy, diseases can develop that require medical, and sometimes even surgical, intervention. Therefore, if the stomach is not just “blowing”, but it hurts, or gases do not pass, or nausea, drowsiness, vomiting appear, or the body temperature has increased, this indicates that it is time to stop attributing the symptoms to pregnancy and urgently visit a gastroenterologist.
Bloating in a child aged 3-6 months may not be associated with illness. This is caused by the immaturity of those gastrointestinal systems that are involved in the digestion of food, and occurs in response either to violations of the nursing mother’s diet, or to the introduction of complementary foods rich in fiber (apple or pear puree).
A baby’s belly may swell before 3 months:
Please note: if the stomach “blows” not because of illness, then the baby does not refuse food; after stroking it on the front abdominal wall with a warm hand and laying it on the stomach, it becomes easier for him. The baby's skin in this state does not change color (does not become pale or bluish), the cry does not become loud or, on the contrary, quieter, the body temperature does not rise or fall. If there is any of the above, you need an urgent call to a pediatrician, and on a day off, an urgent examination by a pediatric surgeon working in a multidisciplinary children's hospital.
In children older than one year, bloating is always caused either by the consumption of some gas-forming products or by illness.
This is the name for inflammation of the mucous membranes of both (large and small) intestines, caused by eating such a product (such) in response to which the immune system is strongly activated.
The disease manifests itself after consuming a certain (for each person it is “different”) product. After a few minutes or hours, cramping or sharp pain in the abdomen appears, there may be vomiting, and the stomach begins to “blow.” The condition is somewhat relieved by defecation, when loose stools pass along with glassy mucus.
In addition to manifestations from the abdomen, a skin rash similar to urticaria may be noted.
Some helminths (worms) secrete poisons that either lead to the death of “useful” bacteria living in the gastrointestinal tract, or destroy enzymes that the pancreas secretes into the duodenum. As a result, diarrhea develops and the stomach periodically swells. Weight loss, fatigue, dry skin, and attacks of dizziness are also noted.
This is an imbalance of the microflora living in the intestines in favor of “harmful” ones. It does not arise “out of nowhere” - only after taking antibiotics, or after an infection, or as a result of other diseases of the digestive tract (pancreatitis, gastritis, hepatitis).
Manifested by the following symptoms:
If a sufficient amount of salmonella, E. coli, dysentery shigella or other dangerous microbes enter the digestive tract, they cause bloating, pain at the initial stage, until the bacteria are absorbed into the blood, and an increase in temperature. The nature of the stool necessarily changes: it becomes liquid, may change color (for example, with salmonellosis it looks like swamp mud, and with cholera it looks like water in which rice was boiled), it may contain blood and mucus.
This is a disease based on thinning of the intestinal mucosa, which occurs for an unknown but non-inflammatory reason. Symptoms of the disease are caused by stress and are aggravated by stress. This:
This is a chronic liver disease in which normal liver tissue is replaced by connective tissue. The disease begins with weakness, decreased performance, a feeling of heaviness and bloating in the upper abdomen, and pain in the joints. As the disease progresses, the person loses weight, his skin becomes yellow, and his palms and soles turn red. In the last stages of the disease, frequent bleeding from the dilated veins of the esophagus and intestines, ascites (when the abdomen is enlarged due to the appearance of fluid between the intestine and internal organs) are observed.
This is characterized by a combination of the following symptoms:
This change in the composition of the microflora living in the intestines is often accompanied by rumbling in the stomach, bloating, diarrhea, and severe abdominal pain. The disease is described in the previous section.
It manifests itself as abdominal pain, constipation (less than 3 times a week) or diarrhea (more than 3 times a day), a strong urge to defecate, after which there remains a feeling of incomplete emptying of the rectum. Mucus is found in the stool, and the stomach often “blows.”
There are three main variants of the course of the disease:
The basis of the disease is a change in the motor activity of the gallbladder and the bile duct running from the gallbladder to the duodenum. The disease is manifested by pain of a different nature in the area from the right hypochondrium to the area “under the stomach”, the pain can radiate to the back or neck on the right side, and decreases after eating. In addition to pain, nausea and sometimes vomiting are noted. In the morning there is an unpleasant odor from the mouth and appetite worsens.
This is the name of the condition when, due to a tumor, torsion, compression by adhesions, prolonged spasm of the intestine, or cessation of blood circulation in it, a “congestion” occurs in some area, as a result of which digestion becomes impossible. The condition requires urgent surgical intervention.
The disease manifests itself as cramping pain that appears suddenly and unrelated to food intake. Such contractions occur every 10-15 minutes; their exact location cannot be indicated.
If a section of the colon is blocked, in addition to pain, bloating is noted, accompanied by constipation and gas retention. When a tumor or adhesions prevent food from moving through the small intestine, gas and stool first pass, and even 1-3 times loose stool may be observed. If the obstruction is caused by intussusception, that is, the penetration of one intestine into another (this is often found in children), blood often appears in the stool.
After 2-12 hours from the onset of the disease, a period of imaginary “well-being” is observed, when the pain gradually passes, but bloating increases (the abdomen turns out to be asymmetrical), there is no stool or gas, but repeated vomiting is noted. If you do not seek help at this time, after 36 hours the peritoneum becomes inflamed, and this is characterized by severe pain, decreased blood pressure, and impaired consciousness.
If the intestinal lumen is not completely blocked (this is called partial intestinal obstruction), the abdomen will swell asymmetrically, there will be nausea and vomiting, but gas and stool will gradually pass. This disease also requires urgent surgical intervention.
This is the name for inflammation of the peritoneum, which occurs as a complication of other diseases of the abdominal cavity (appendicitis, phlegmonous and gangrenous cholecystitis, gastritis, adnexitis and other diseases). The disease is fatal and requires emergency surgery.
It manifests itself as sharp diffuse pain in the abdomen, which covers an increasingly larger area, nausea, vomiting, extreme pain when touching the abdomen (removing your hand is even more painful).
This is a chronic inflammation of various parts of the gastrointestinal tract, occurring in people with a genetic predisposition due to an attack on the organs by their own immunity.
When an exacerbation of inflammation of the mucous membrane of the large and small intestine occurs, it is manifested by the following symptoms:
Bloating and pain in the lower parts of the abdomen can develop in one of the following cases:
We have already considered the main part of the diseases that cause constipation and bloating. This:
The combination of bloating and belching is characteristic of diseases such as:
The combination of these symptoms will also be observed after nervous strain, smoking a large number of cigarettes or eating fatty foods.
Bloating and vomiting are characteristic of previously discussed diseases such as:
The reasons why the stomach is swollen in children are somewhat different from those observed in adults, especially at a younger age. Therefore, it would be logical to consider diseases that cause flatulence, depending on age.
From 1.5 months to a year, there is a possibility of developing intussusception - when one intestine is embedded in another. The maximum likelihood of developing this disease is from 4 months, when some parents begin to introduce complementary foods, which are not always “soft” enough for the children’s gastrointestinal tract. Then the intestines begin to actively contract, and since their “attachment” is longer than in adults, they move easily and can be embedded into one another.
Intussusception manifests itself as severe paroxysmal pain in the abdomen, which causes the child to become restless, toss and turn in bed, and refuse to eat. He vomits, even if he has eaten for a long time. His abdomen is bloated, gas and stool do not pass. Blood-stained mucus or some clear blood may be discharged from the rectum, but this is not a necessary symptom.
In the same way, in addition to bleeding from the rectum, intestinal obstruction will also appear, caused not by intussusception, but by malformations of the gastrointestinal tract.
Gas formation in an infant can increase not only due to obstruction, but also due to:
Taking into account the above, at the age of up to one year, a remedy for bloating is selected only after the pediatric surgeon has examined the child and ruled out the presence of obstruction, and the pediatrician has ruled out the presence of celiac disease and lactase deficiency.
The most common reasons are:
Causes of increased gas formation in children of this age:
In children over 6 years of age, the reasons are the same as in adults.
What to do if your stomach is swollen? There are 2 algorithms, depending on the current situation.
If you have symptoms such as:
You need to call an ambulance and be examined in a surgical hospital.
You should not refuse hospitalization if the surgeon says that you are not sure of the diagnosis or you need to perform additional, time-consuming procedures (for example, barium X-ray of the intestine).
If there are no such symptoms, then gas formation can be treated at home. Until you have visited a gastroenterologist and done an ultrasound of the abdominal organs (it requires 2-3 days of preparation), you can take the following measures:
If spasms and pain are felt against the background of flatulence, treatment for bloating may include antispasmodic drugs (Riabal, Buscopan, Mebeverine). It is not recommended to use “No-shpu” (“Drotaverine”) or “Papaverine”, as they affect many organs, relaxing their smooth muscles.
Without consulting a gastroenterologist, you should not take enzyme medications (Creon, Pancreatin, Mezim), acid-lowering medications (Omeprazole, Ranitidine, Nolpaza), or anti-nausea medications (Metoclopramide, "Sturgeon" and others).
Anti-gas medications that can be used in children (in descending order of effectiveness) from birth:
Among the sorbents you can use “Smecta” - from 1 month, “Polysorb”, “Enterosgel” and “Atoxil” - from 1 year.
Some exercises will help get rid of the increased amount of gases that have accumulated not as a result of a surgical disease:
Traditional doctors recommend the following remedies for gas formation: