The following article is about the topic of air in the abdomen, increased flatulence and stuck air in the body. Shown in addition to a definition also causes, diagnosis, course, treatment and ultimately also ways to prevent.
What is air in the abdomen?
Affected individuals often complain of a feeling of fullness, cramping pain, and a bloated, hollow-sounding abdomen (drum belly). Air in the abdomen or meteorism (Greek metéōros – floating in the air) refers to excess gas produced in the stomach and intestines during the digestive process. Initially, the gases do not escape through the anus. Affected individuals often complain of a feeling of fullness, cramping pain, and a bloated, hollow-sounding abdomen (drum belly). In most cases, flatulence is harmless and is expelled sooner or later by belching or in the form of increased body cramps via the anus. In the technical literature one finds therefore further definitions also under the keyword Flatulenz (Latin flatus – wind flatulence). A certain amount of air in the stomach and intestines is normal, since both organs are hollow organs.
Causes
Common causes of meteorism and flatulence are poor eating and lifestyle habits. It is generally known that foods such as legumes, onions, asparagus, cabbage and dried fruits have a flatulent effect. Excessive consumption of alcohol, cigarettes, coffee, carbonated drinks, chewing gum, and foods that are too fatty or too sugary can also be the cause of a bloated belly. Stress and hectic pace also provide possible reasons. Since air is also swallowed during every intake of food, its proportion is significantly increased by hasty and barely chewed food. However, hormonal fluctuations, food intolerances or diseases of the stomach, intestines and pancreas, as well as treatment with antibiotics, can also be a cause of painful air in the abdomen. Therefore, if symptoms persist, medical consultation is advisable.
Diseases with this symptom
- Celiac disease
- Food allergy
- Lactose intolerance
- Pancreatitis
- Food intolerance
- Irritable bowel
Diagnosis and course
In order to make a diagnosis, certain questions are clarified by the doctor in a detailed interview before the physical examination. What are the eating habits of the patient? What situation is he currently in? Is the patient taking medication regularly? Does the patient get enough exercise? Are there other complaints such as repeated nausea and frequent diarrhea, vomiting or skin irritations? If physical illnesses are suspected, an examination of the blood, stool, gastroscopy and/or colonoscopy is advisable. Not only hormonal disorders can be detected via the blood test. A specific blood test can also detect the presence of gluten intolerance, celiac disease. Lactose intolerance, the intolerance of milk sugar, can be diagnosed with a special breath test.
Complications
Air in the abdomen has various causes, some of which are nutritional and do not involve any complications other than abdominal pain and bloating. On the other hand, some diseases can also be behind it, which can be harmless or dangerous. Lactose intolerant people usually do not carry any other complications except that they should not eat dairy products anymore. This can cause them to be deficient in calcium, which is important for bone formation. This can result in osteoporosis. If they are also vegetarians, they are deprived of an important source of protein. The situation is similar with fructose intolerants. Even small amounts of fructose can cause severe abdominal pain and even, in the worst cases, affect the liver and kidneys. In addition, those affected miss out on many vitamins due to the low-fructose diet, so that corresponding deficiency symptoms must be expected. Irritable bowel syndrome is actually not dangerous and does not necessarily entail complications. In fact, life expectancy is not limited. Nevertheless, the constant problems with the intestine can trigger discomfort and anxiety and thus have a strong impact on the psyche. It depends on how often and strongly the complaints occur.Patients may isolate themselves from the environment and avoid many foods and meals that are not actually dangerous to the individual.
When should you see a doctor?
Air in the abdomen is uncomfortable and manifests itself in abdominal pain and bloating, among other symptoms. Some home remedies and measures relieve the feeling of fullness quickly and effectively. In most cases, it is already enough to adjust the dietary habits. Those who regularly suffer from air in the stomach should eat at least four to five small meals a day and drink at least half a liter with each meal. Food should be chewed well to relieve the stomach. It is also important to eliminate flatulent foods, raw vegetables and fatty meats from the diet. Carbonated drinks and stimulants such as alcohol and caffeine should also be avoided. Exercise expels air from the stomach: a short walk after each meal stimulates the digestive processes and facilitates the removal of gases. Relaxation exercises such as autogenic training, yoga or physiotherapy can also help with air in the stomach. In addition, home remedies such as herbal teas with chamomile, anise, caraway or fennel are recommended. Heat, for example in the form of a cherry stone pillow or a hot water bottle, also has an antispasmodic and deflating effect. If none of this helps, however, a doctor should be consulted, as there may be a serious underlying condition.
Treatment and therapy
Often, just reviewing and changing lifestyle and eating habits is enough as a successful treatment. Against already stuck air in the body helps exercise such as a long walk. Home remedies, such as anise, fennel, peppermint or caraway in the form of tea can help. Massage with peppermint and black cumin oil is also beneficial. However, if there is a food intolerance or food allergy, it is important to avoid foods with the incompatible ingredients. If the complaints were caused by stress, it is advisable to reconsider one’s own life situation. In the case of organic causes, a diet is often indispensable. For example, in the case of inflammation of the liver or gall bladder, attention should be paid to a low-fat, light diet. Likewise, in the case of organic causes, abstaining from alcohol and cigarettes, caffeine and spicy foods is advisable. In the case of chronic pancreatitis, a low-fiber diet is necessary. Furthermore, food intolerances and allergies must be treated by avoiding certain foods. For example, a patient with celiac disease must maintain a gluten-free diet for life. Equivalently, a patient diagnosed with lactose intolerance can avoid painful flatulence by avoiding foods high in lactose. Fructose intolerance, sometimes manifested by severe abdominal pain, is readily treatable by avoiding foods that contain fructose.
Outlook and prognosis
In most cases, air in the belly does not pose a health risk and does not necessarily need to be treated by a doctor. Air in the abdomen usually results from improper nutrition and in many cases can be corrected by the patient himself. It leads to further complications only in a few cases and does not pose any danger to the human body. Affected individuals always feel full and bloated with air in the abdomen. This can be relatively unpleasant in the long run. The behavior is equally expressed in a bloated abdomen, which is mainly filled with air and other gases. In some cases, the air in the abdomen also leads to cramps, abdominal pain, flatulence and diarrhea. It can make life very difficult and reduce the quality of life. Since air in the abdomen is usually associated with a poor diet, treatment by a doctor is often not necessary. However, there are remedies that deflate the abdomen, greatly reducing the air in the stomach. They should not be taken permanently. In some cases, the air in the abdomen is caused by the body’s intolerance to an ingredient. This should be discontinued or taken only along with allergy tablets. This treatment usually leads to success.
Prevention
The eye eats along, it is said, because the careful preparation and a deliciously arranged food already stimulates the gastric juices. Another preventive measure is also found in the thorough chewing of food. Thus a saturation feeling is in time noticed and an overeating is avoided. This alone facilitates the digestive mechanisms for the body.A healthy, varied and balanced diet with plenty of fruit, vegetables and little sugar and fat keeps the stomach and intestines healthy. Instead of carbonated beverages, teas, spritzers or still water should be preferred. Drinking a sufficient amount of liquids also relieves the digestive tract. Often, avoiding chewing gum, flatulent foods and cigarettes, as well as moderate consumption of alcohol, also reduce the amount of gas in the body. Regular exercise and light gymnastics as well as relaxation exercises and special breathing techniques also prevent flatulence. And one more thing: On average, up to 25 windfalls per day are harmless and considered normal.
What you can do yourself
Various home remedies help against air in the stomach. For self-help, it is first recommended to reconsider one’s diet. Affected persons should initially avoid flatulent foods as well as carbonated beverages and integrate sufficient fiber-rich foods into the diet. Ginger, garlic, coriander, cinnamon and cloves in particular, but also pumpkins, are a good alternative to sugar and fried foods because of their deflating effects. Exercise in the fresh air is even more effective. Even a short walk stimulates digestion and expels air from the stomach. Yoga, autogenic training and other relaxation exercises also work against air in the belly. A massage with warm oils also quickly removes excess air from the abdomen. Acutely, heat helps against flatulence. A hot water bottle or cherry pit soothes the intestines and reduces pressure and pain in the abdomen. Herbal, caraway or fennel tea also helps against mild discomfort and, in addition to its antispasmodic effect, also increases well-being. If, despite everything, the air remains in the abdomen and is possibly accompanied by discomfort and other complaints, a visit to the family doctor is recommended.
