It should not be normal to have a bloated belly on a regular basis.. Unfortunately there are those who have become accustomed to living with this and it shouldn’t be. Everyone can have a bloated belly at some point in their life, but not continuously.
If after eating or more than twice a week you have abdominal distension, it is time to solve the problem. It is necessary to go to the doctor when you notice that the belly does not return to its natural position, because the causes of a swollen belly are not always gases.
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10 causes of having a bloated belly.
Gas is one of the first things you think of when you have a bloated belly.. Although it is one of the factors that affect this problem, it is not the only one or the most common. For this reason it is necessary to know the different causes that provoke a swelling of this type.
The first thing to do is to change eating habits for healthier ones. A nutritionist or a doctor should be consulted if the problem does not go away; it is the health professional who knows how to identify the origin of the bloated belly and find the best treatment.
1. Irritable bowel syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome is one of the most common causes of a bloated stomach.. It is a disorder that affects the large intestine, and its symptoms are abdominal pain and bloating, diarrhea or constipation and excessive gas.
It is not a serious disease, but it is necessary to take care of the diet avoiding fats, irritants and not to let many hours pass without eating. Stress is also a determining factor in the development of this disorder.
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2. Lactose intolerance
Lactose intolerance is very common in adults.. Lactose is a type of sugar found in dairy products. The body needs an enzyme called lactase to digest lactose, and if the small intestine does not produce this enzyme, lactose intolerance occurs.
Although this disease is not curable, it is not serious. The symptoms are abdominal distension and diarrhea after having consumed some type of dairy. It is sufficient to eliminate all dairy products from the diet or replace them with lactose-free products.
3. Premenstrual syndrome
Premenstrual syndrome affects women in different ways.. Although most suffer from a swollen belly just two to three days before the onset of menstruation, there are some women who do not feel it.
During menstruation it is even more common, and one or two days later the swelling disappears. This may be normal and it is enough to take some analgesic or apply warm compresses. However, a gynecological examination is never superfluous.
4. Partial intestinal obstruction
Intestinal obstruction is, as its name suggests, a blockage in the intestine.. In this case the contents of the intestine cannot pass, which causes pain and swelling in the belly. A bowel obstruction should be checked by a physician.
The cause of this obstruction may be due to infections, twisting of the intestine, taking drugs or serious diseases such as tumors. The bloating is usually accompanied by severe pain.
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5. Uterine fibroids
Uterine fibroids are tumors that grow in the uterus.. Although these tumors are not frequent, it is relatively normal for them to appear at some stage of life and they are usually benign.
They are caused by hormonal imbalances and there is a genetic predisposition. One of the symptoms is swelling in the womb, but there are also imbalances in menstruation.
6. Air swallowing
Air swallowing refers to an excessive intake of air in the digestive tract.. It is due to bad eating habits and the consumption of carbonated or sugary drinks. It is also caused by the habit of eating too fast.
In addition to abdominal distention, swallowing air causes slight pain, gas, belching and intestinal noises. It is also related to anxiety and stress. This condition is not serious and it is enough to change habits to reduce symptoms.
7. Pregnancy
In the first trimester of pregnancy, abdominal distention may already be present.. Although the most noticeable growth of the belly begins in the second trimester, some women have it from the beginning without this being a problem.
Having a swollen belly can be a sign of pregnancy. In addition, some of the typical symptoms of pregnancy such as dizziness, nausea, delayed menstruation, headaches or breast pain often appear.
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8. Ascites
Ascites is the accumulation of fluid in the abdomen.. This can be a symptom of a serious health problem. If in addition to excessive swelling of the belly, there is jaundice, liver enlargement and severe discomfort, it may be ascites.
Umbilical hernias and respiratory distress may also occur. In this case it is a very important growth of the belly that is much more noticeable in thin people. It should also be borne in mind that ascites may be caused by serious diseases such as cirrhosis.
9. Constipation
Constipation causes a swollen belly.. If the diet is poor in fiber, not enough water is consumed, and there is little or no exercise, constipation is likely to develop. In severe cases it can become chronic.
Constipation causes abdominal distention, heaviness and pain, and you can go several days without going to the bathroom. To solve it, it is necessary to drink enough water, exercise and eat fruits and vegetables rich in fiber. If this is not enough, a doctor should be consulted.
10. Apnea
Sleep apnea can lead to a swollen belly.. Apnea is a respiratory pathology, and people who suffer from it usually snore and have breathing stops during sleep.
Due to this problem, the affected person breathes through the mouth during the night. This causes air to enter the stomach. As if it were a balloon, the stomach inflates and when waking up, the person may feel a swollen belly and slight pain. In this case you should go to the doctor to treat apnea directly.
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