A bloated belly is often a great burden. In addition to a feeling of fullness and a visible, often ball-shaped bloated belly, pain can also occur and usually outgoing winds. For those affected, this can be very uncomfortable and sometimes embarrassing.
What is a bloated belly?
A bloated abdomen often occurs in conjunction with gas, a feeling of tension and fullness, abdominal pain, and bowel sounds. Many sufferers have a bloated belly in the evening, as the stomach is now particularly challenged by the food intake during the day. A bloated abdomen is characterized in many cases by directly visible signs: the abdominal area is distended, a clear bulge in the shape of a ball is visible. When palpating, an enormous hardening is very often noticeable. In most cases, those affected also suffer from cramp-like pain in the acute phase of the bloating; this 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 distended abdomen are very diverse, but usually harmless. During digestion, gases are produced in the gastrointestinal tract. Increased production of these gases leads to a bloated belly. These increased air accumulations are usually directly related to food intake. Consumption of flatulent foods, such as legumes, onions or cabbage leads to such an enormous accumulation of gases in the stomach and intestines in most people, so that flatulence can occur. In addition, eating too quickly can inflate the stomach. Hasty eating causes more air to enter the stomach and, in addition, the food is then also often chewed only slightly. As a result, the intestinal bacteria have to break down these inadequately chewed food components instead of saliva. This produces more digestive gases than when food is well chewed. Lack of exercise, stress, insufficient fluid intake, food intolerances and the consumption of alcohol, nicotine and caffeine can also promote the development of flatulence. If there is an imbalance between the various intestinal bacteria, this can be a cause, as well as a disease whose symptoms may include a bloated belly.
Diseases with this symptom
- Food
intolerance
- Celiac disease
- Lactose intolerance
- Histamine intolerance
- Cirrhosis of the liver
- Gastric mucosa-
inflammation
- Ulcerative colitis
- Crohn’s disease
- Intestinal obstruction
- Volvulus (intestinal entanglement)
- Drug allergy
- PMS (premenstrual syndrome)
- Gallstone ileus
- Intestinal polyps
- Colon polyps
Diagnosis and course
The distended abdomen can be extremely painful for the patient in the acute phase. In many cases, the abdomen relaxes again as soon as winds can come off. Constipation but also diarrhea can accompany a bloated abdomen. In the case of a distended abdomen, the diagnosis by a physician is usually initially only a tentative diagnosis. A detailed medical history provides the attending physician with information about which further examinations are indicated. A physical examination, such as palpation and listening to the gastrointestinal area or a rectal examination of the rectum, can provide further information about the further measures to be taken. Ultrasound and X-ray examinations, blood tests, the analysis of a stool sample and also a gastroscopy or colonoscopy can be considered for the exact diagnosis, as well as tests for food intolerances. Often, however, such elaborate examination methods are not immediately indicated because the complaints occur only rarely. Patients who regularly and frequently suffer from a bloated abdomen, however, should be remedied by diagnostic testing.
Complications
A distended abdomen can result in a wide variety of complications. From the principle, it must also be emphasized that a constantly or repeatedly bloated abdomen can be responsible for many different diseases. For example, it is not uncommon for bleeding to occur in the intestines. Blood loss can start harmlessly and increase to the point where one or even several blood transfusion(s) are required.In the worst case, surgery must be performed to stop the bleeding. There may also be a breach of the intestinal wall, an intestinal perforation in the form of a hole or tear. In this case, the intestinal contents (feces) empty into the free abdominal cavity. Life-threatening inflammations are the result. A quick diagnosis and surgery are therefore essential in the case of a perforation of the intestinal wall, because it is a life-threatening complication.
The danger of developing ulcerative colitis is manifested by an extremely distended abdomen as well as severe pain with fever and massive circulatory problems. A severe episode of ulcerative colitis can also lead to toxic megacolon. This is a maximum enlargement of the colon. The result can be a life-threatening intestinal obstruction, posing a risk of rupture of the intestinal wall. Complications associated with a bloated abdomen, some of which may be long-term or even permanent, may also include cramping pain, flatulence (odorless or odorous) diarrhea, or constipation.
When should you go to the doctor?
Whether in an adult or a child, a bloated abdomen can have many different causes and reasons. In some cases, this symptom is only temporary such as after a large meal. However, if the bloated belly lasts for a longer period of time or more than one to two weeks, it is advisable to consult a doctor. The cause of the discomfort should definitely be investigated. If the waistband or skirt pinch because the abdomen is hard and bloated, the person affected usually feels uncomfortable. A bloated belly is not only unpleasant, it may also be the expression of a serious illness. Where exactly the causes of the permanently bloated abdomen lie and what 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 alert if the symptom of bloated abdomen occurs regularly after eating certain foods, beverages or foods. And also if other symptoms and complaints such as nausea, vomiting or pain are added to the severely bloated abdomen, a visit to your doctor is indicated. With proper diagnosis and adequate treatment, the bloated belly may soon be a thing of the past.
Treatment and therapy
A distended abdomen must be treated depending on the cause and diagnosis. Since the discomfort is often caused by incorrect eating behavior, a change in food intake helps in these cases. Affected persons should in any case pay attention to a healthy and varied diet and eat the daily meals in peace. Flatulent foods should be avoided as far as possible, and avoiding carbonated drinks can also bring improvement. A digestive walk after a meal also stimulates digestion; little exercise often also makes for sluggish digestion. If these points are observed in the diet and organic causes have been ruled out, it is rarely necessary to use medication against a bloated belly. Possible preparations would be those that reduce gas bubbles in the intestine and thus provide for a defoaming in the intestine. Taking digestive enzymes to support the body’s natural digestion is also a possibility. For sufferers who experience pain because of their flatulence, certain antispasmodic painkillers and medications that relax the intestinal muscles may also be considered. However, these medications only relieve the symptoms and do not address the cause.
Outlook and prognosis
Usually, a distended abdomen 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 by the increased intake of air into the abdomen and can be treated without a doctor. The bloated abdomen does not lead to further medical damage, but it can have a negative impact on the quality of life. Often, the symptom is associated with bloating and constant belching, making everyday life much more difficult. In severe cases, treatment by the doctor takes the form of medication and usually leads to success. However, treatment at the doctor’s office can only mitigate the symptoms. The patient must take care of a healthier diet himself and ensure that not much air enters the stomach when eating and drinking.If the bloated abdomen is not treated over a long period of time, further consequential damage may result. Partly, for example, the bloated shape of the abdomen is preserved, even if there is no more air in it.
Prevention
People who are particularly susceptible to a bloated belly can prevent by various measures. Food should generally be easily digestible, very high fiber foods should rather be avoided or cooked well beforehand. Vegetables are better eaten steamed than raw. It can also be useful to keep a food diary. In this way, it may be possible to identify foods that promote the development of flatulence due to personal intolerances. To keep digestion active, a daily walk and exercise can go a long way. This also serves to reduce stress and provides inner balance.
Here’s what you can do yourself
A bloated belly can be the expression of a wide variety of disorders. In addition to drug treatment for an existing diagnosis, there are some things that can help to feel a little better despite the discomfort. If possible, those affected should also avoid highly flatulent foods such as legumes or cabbage, eat with calm and chew everything well. Warm, moist compresses on the abdomen can also bring relief. People with food intolerances, such as an existing lactose intolerance, will benefit if you avoid the corresponding intolerant foods and look for alternatives. Teas with fennel, anise and caraway can also be helpful. These teas, available from health food stores or pharmacies, have a deflating and decongesting effect on the digestive system. Wearing loose clothing also helps to feel more comfortable and relieve discomfort. With particularly elastic cuffs on skirts and pants, everything sits much more comfortably, even with a bloated abdomen. With these little tips, it should be a little easier to deal with the annoying discomfort. If these tips still do not provide an improvement, a consultation with the family doctor is the best solution.
