It is something quite common: feeling like a balloon, with the sensation of having a full stomach but without necessarily having eaten much.
Swelling or distension is a visible increase in the size of the abdomen. The belly feels full and this causes discomfort.
In addition to the obvious physical change, it can be accompanied by belly pain, discomfort or noise.
Behind this common ailment there can be many causes. Some are easy to handle and, to stop them, it is enough to make some changes in our diet. Others are more complex and can range from problems in our immune system to be indicative of a type of cancer.
Here we tell you some of the reasons, what signs are the ones that should alert us and what habits to change to avoid it.
Air? No, thanks
The most common reason for swelling is having lots of gas in the intestine. The NHS, the National Health Service of the United Kingdom, points out that this can be caused by some foods and drinks or by swallowing air.
The next most common cause of feeling bloated is constipation, something that can go unnoticed because it is not only about fewer bowel movements. The Johns Hopkins Medicine Center indicates that if you have to make efforts to start or finish a bowel movement, if your stools resemble rocks or pebbles, or if you do not have a feeling of emptiness when you defecate, you are suffering from constipation.
And all of this can contribute to abdominal pain and bloating. Because the longer the stool remains without exiting, the more chance the bacteria have to ferment and, therefore, create more gas and bloating.
An excess of bacteria or lack of movement
Another reason behind the swelling is the SIBO, either small intestine bacterial overgrowth. As its name suggests, it is an excess of bacteria and occurs when intestinal bacteria from the colon overflow into the small intestine. The overgrowth of these bacteria can also overwhelm other bacteria that precisely balance the system and absorb gases.
SIBO can occur after a completeYocation in an abdominal surgery or product of some structural problems of our digestive system, such as intestinal adhesions or diverticulitis, bulging bags that protrude in the small intestine, as indicated by the Mayo Clinic.
The irritable bowel syndrome, A very common condition that affects the digestive system, it can make sufferers extremely sensitive to gas and have pain, stomach cramps, diarrhea and constipation as well as abdominal bloating.
The exact cause of irritable bowel syndrome is unknown, but the NHS reports that it has been linked to things as varied as food passing through the gut too fast or too slow, hypersensitive nerves in the gut, stress and family history.
Another reason that can cause us to be swollen is the gastroparesis, a disease that affects the stomach muscles and causes their motility, that is, normal spontaneous movement, to change. It may be that motility slows down or stops working and thus the stomach takes longer to empty.
The cause of gastroparesis is unknown, but the Mayo Clinic indicates that after surgery, complications from diabetes or taking some medications for depression, high blood pressure or allergies can cause slow gastric emptying and similar symptoms.
Intolerances and hormones
Sometimes behind the swelling there may be a Alimentary intolerance. It is not just that we have had a carbonated drink, but that this food in question is more difficult for us to digest.
Some of the usual suspects behind the swelling are usually the foods that contain lactose, fructose, carbohydrates such as wheat or legumes.
Also, says the NHS, It can be a symptom of celiac disease. a condition in which the immune system attacks its own tissues if gluten is ingested, a protein that appears mainly in three types of cereals: wheat, barley and rye.
This damages the small intestine, making it impossible to absorb nutrients and giving a variety of symptoms including diarrhea, abdominal pain and bloating.
As common as gas is the bloating it produces the hormones responsible forhe menstrual cycle. Up to 3 out of 4 women experience bloating before and during their period, according to the Cleveland Clinic. There are also the hormonal fluctuations that occur in perimenopause, that transition time from the last period to menopause.
Female hormones can cause bloating for many reasons. For example, him estrogen causes fluid retentionthis same hormone and progesterone can speed up or slow down the motility of our stomach muscles and, in turn, cause gas and then there is the enlargement of the uterus just before menstruation.
Sometimes swelling that doesn’t go away It could be a sign of something more serious. such as problems in the ovaries and uterus, even ovarian cancer, so it’s important to have regular pelvic exams.
How to reduce swelling
If you don’t already know why you feel bloated, it’s important to first small changes to rule out causes.
The UK National Health Service recommends exercise regularly to improve digestion and massage the stomach from right to left to release trapped air in case the cause is gas.
In the case of feeling constipated, eat fiber-rich foods such as fruits and vegetables and drinking plenty of water it can help.
Among the things to avoid are soft drinks, alcohol or caffeinepresent in coffee or tea, or fatty foods, as well as processed, very sugary or spicy foods and more flatulent foods, such as cabbage, beans or lentils.
On how to eat they also advise not to make large meals, but small and more frequent ones, chew with your mouth closed to avoid swallowing airDo not eat copious meals before going to bed or bend over at mealtimes.
If you think you have a food intolerance, try gradually eliminating the foods you suspect and review how you feel after each meal.
When to go to the doctor
Normally the swelling usually resolves itself or with a few simple changes. And if only this symptom appears, although it is somewhat annoying, it does not have to represent a serious underlying condition.
But If it appears along with other symptoms or there is no improvement with a few simple changes, it is advisable to consult a doctor.
Diarrhea, persistent or severe abdominal pain, bloody stools or changes in the color of the stools, as well as changes in the frequency with which you go to the bathroom, unintentional weight loss, loss of appetite or a feeling of fullness very quickly and discomfort in the stomach. chest are, indicates the Mayo Clinic, some symptoms that should alert us.
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