A feeling of fullness usually occurs after a sumptuous meal when the stomach has absorbed too much food. The term is also derived from “being full.”
What is a feeling of fullness?
Bloating is when the abdomen bulges forward and causes tightness pain. Bloating is the term used to describe flatulence in which the abdomen bulges forward and causes tension pain. In this case, excessive amounts of air and gases have been swallowed through food and hasty eating, which can then cause severe bloating in the stomach and intestines. Usually, the abdomen is strongly distended and the affected person feels sluggish and fat. In addition to the feeling of fullness, loss of appetite, heartburn and nausea often appear. In the worst cases, this can lead to cramps or pain similar to that of colic. The feeling of fullness describes in the medical sense an accumulation of gas in the digestive tract, which is stuck there and therefore causes pain. Conceptually, bloating borrows from “being full” after sumptuous and fatty meals.
Causes
So what are the exact causes of a feeling of fullness? During the digestion of food, which takes about 42 hours, various gases are produced in the intestines. These are, for example, hydrogen sulfide, methane and other gases produced during the fermentation and putrefaction process. A large proportion of the gases produced diffuse into the bloodstream and are carried out of the body via the lungs; others escape in the form of abdominal wind (flatulence). One cause of the feeling of fullness may be intolerance to various foods. Eating such foods causes the formation of more gases than usual, which in interaction with other causes can get stuck in the digestive tract. In the case of lactose intolerance, for example, there is often an accumulation of gases and thus a feeling of fullness. The two sugar molecules rhamnose and stachyose are another food-related cause of the feeling of fullness. They are difficult for the intestines to break down. They are found mainly in legumes, onions, beans or sauerkraut. In addition to the food-related causes, there is often a weak abdominal musculature. This is responsible, among other things, for the fact that gases accumulated in excessive quantities can escape if they do not do so through the bloodstream. Due to the slack muscles, the abdominal girth increases when there is a large accumulation of gas, causing the familiar feeling of fullness. The feeling of fullness can also be one of the symptoms of a more serious disease that affects the metabolism. Diseases of the pancreas come into question, as a result of which certain digestive enzymes can no longer be secreted in sufficient quantities. Intestinal obstruction with various causes can also lead to the feeling of fullness.
Diseases with this symptom
- Irritable stomach
- Gastritis
- Dumping syndrome
- Duodenal ulcer
- Cholestasis
- Stomach cancer
- Lactose intolerance
- Gallstones
- Fatty liver
Complications
A feeling of fullness usually does not cause complications and this symptom does not need to be treated. Since it usually occurs immediately after eating, to avoid a feeling of fullness, certain foods that cause it in the affected person should be omitted. These include especially fatty and sweet foods, which are difficult for the stomach to digest. They therefore lead to a feeling of fullness and restrict the body in its movements and activities. Those who suffer from a feeling of fullness after eating cannot do any sports afterwards and usually feel tired and exhausted. This is because the body needs a lot of energy to digest the food and therefore the fatigue occurs. This behavior is completely normal and is not a complication. Those who suffer from a permanent feeling of fullness may have a psychological problem or a problem with eating behavior. Such disorders are treated by psychologists and in most cases lead to success. In general, a feeling of fullness occurs in almost everyone after a certain meal and is not a symptom that endangers health
When should you go to the doctor?
In the case of a persistent feeling of fullness that is not due to excessive food gain, the first thing to suspect is a food intolerance. It is therefore sensible to observe one’s own body and eating behavior extensively.This can answer significant questions that a doctor also asks during his medical examination. If the feeling of fullness occurs after eating a certain food or product, consumption should initially be discontinued. If there is a noticeable improvement, the suspicion of an intolerance suggests itself. After a few days of observation and dietary adjustment, a physician should be consulted. It is not advisable to make unauthorized findings. It is sufficient to make an appointment with the family doctor. He can confirm existing suspicions or exclude causes. If necessary, he will refer the patient to an allergist, who will then initiate further examinations. However, a feeling of fullness does not necessarily indicate a food intolerance. Other causes can also be considered. If the family doctor rules out an intolerance as the trigger, he or she will refer the patient to a gastroenterologist. The latter will then take over the examination and initiate medical treatment measures if necessary.
Treatment and therapy
The feeling of fullness is a nonspecific symptom that cannot be treated without further investigation. If it occurs only sporadically, it often does not need to be treated at all – but it is different if the feeling of fullness is recurrent or causes severe pain. If the feeling of fullness occurs sporadically, it is usually best to wait until it passes. If, on the other hand, it occurs more frequently in a mild to moderate form, medical examinations should be initiated to determine the cause. The reason for such a feeling of fullness is often food intolerances – in this case, the diet must be changed. If the feeling of fullness is severe, sudden or persistent, hospitalization is usually required. Such symptoms indicate that the condition is serious. For example, if the feeling of fullness is due to an intestinal obstruction, surgery must be performed as soon as possible.
Outlook and prognosis
In itself, the prognosis for bloating is good. Bloating usually indicates overeating of fatty or hard-to-digest foods. This condition is easily remedied by the person eating more moderately. However, bloating can also occur as a result of gastritis. In this case, the prognosis depends on whether the gastritis is acute or chronic. Medications can be just as helpful for bloating due to gastritis as an alkaline diet. It should be noted, however, that persistent bloating may also indicate gastric cancer. Sudden loss of appetite without explanation, accompanied by a feeling of fullness or unexplained weight loss, should prompt the person concerned to see a doctor. Nonspecific signs such as a feeling of fullness are not always harmless. In the case of carcinoma of the stomach or pancreas, the prognosis depends on the time of discovery. If diagnosed early, the prognosis can be good. If discovered late, there is a risk that metastases have already formed. Long-lasting bloating should therefore never be taken lightly. Persistent bloating should always be questioned – especially if the affected person does not eat much. It can be a simple irritable stomach, but also a lower abdominal or intestinal disease. Depending on the identified cause, the prognosis for improvement varies.
Prevention
The serious causes of bloating can hardly be effectively prevented. It is different with the feeling of fullness caused by various foods or their intolerance. Foods that are known to cause flatulence and a feeling of fullness should be enjoyed in moderation. These include especially beans, sauerkraut, nuts and other foods that are high in fiber. If you have a known intolerance, you can avoid the feeling of fullness by switching to a substitute for the food that is difficult to digest. By paying attention to signals from your body, you avoid the feeling of fullness.
Here’s what you can do yourself
All self-help remedies for bloating should be seen only as a supplement to treating the cause. The self-help remedies for bloating that are feasible depend on the cause of the symptom. If the feeling of fullness is due to another disease, compliance with medical recommendations takes the highest priority.This includes taking prescribed medications or following other instructions. If the feeling of fullness is due to unfavorable eating habits, a change in diet can help alleviate the feeling of fullness or prevent it in advance. This includes eating meals regularly and having only a few snacks in between. High-fat and high-carbohydrate foods in particular can promote the feeling of fullness. Overall, this part of self-help focuses on implementing the recommendations of sound nutritional advice in everyday life. In addition, several home remedies are known to be commonly recommended for bloating. Warm tea (e.g., chamomile or peppermint) can often improve the feeling of fullness. Heat also alleviates the discomfort in many cases. For example, a hot water bottle or a cherry pit cushion is suitable for this purpose. Massages on the abdomen are also suitable to relieve the feeling of fullness. A drink with highly diluted apple cider vinegar is also often recommended as a home remedy for bloating. However, the acid can upset the stomachs of sensitive individuals and irritate the membranes of the mouth, throat and esophagus.
