Why Is My Stomach Bloated Causes Of Bloating
Theres no single culprit to bloating, and we are all individual. It depends on many things like stress, gut microbes, how sensitive your gut is and how quickly you eat your food, says The Gut Stuff team.
Certainly, theres a current trend of demonising bloating, but there are so many reasons why we get bloated. These range from not chewing properly to your microbes having a little party after lots of fibre, continues The Gut Stuff team. Above all, its important to remember that the severity of bloating will vary from feeling a wee bit gassy to experiencing pain and discomfort.
Here are some reasons why youre bloated and what you can do.
Combine Diet With Exercise
When looking to trim body fat, exercise is a key consideration. This should be aligned with diet to achieve the optimal results, although it is important to strike the ideal balance between cardiovascular and muscle work-outs. Performing abdominal exercises alone is not enough to reduce belly fat, as you must engage in high-intensity activity to burn the fat and reduce the circumference of your weight.
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Stop Smoking Chewing Gum Or Wearing Dentures
According to the charity Guts UK!chewing gum, smoking or wearing loose dentures all promote air swallowing and can cause bloating. Avoid using gum and quit smoking. Visit the NHS Stop Smoking Service, or call the Smokefree National Helpline on 0300 123 1044 for help. If your dentures are loose see a dentist.
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Slow Down At Mealtime
Eating too fast is a common cause of abdominal bloating because it results in swallowed air. Once that air reaches the intestines, you may feel pain and be bloated. The stomach stretches as you eat and sends signals to the brain alerting you that you are full. However, it takes about 20 minutes for the stomach to alert the brain, so you could be overeating and swallowing lots of air before you feel uncomfortably full. Slow down, chew thoroughly, and enjoy your meals. Drink enough water and stay hydrated to help ensure healthy digestion.
Why Is My Stomach Bloated Causes And 10 Ways To Reduce Bloating
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Why is my stomach bloated, you may ask. Rightly so. A bloated tum can at best be uncomfortable and at worst be a cause for concern. Here are some of the reasons why you may be suffering and how to ease your discomfort.
Bloating is a common issue for many women and can be caused by a number of factors, says Claire Snowdon-Darling, a hormones expert, head of The College of Functional Wellness and founder of kinesiology clinic Balanced Wellness. And women suffer from bloating more because high levels of oestrogen will cause water retention. Women also experience more IBS symptoms due to hormonal imbalances, and one of the symptoms of IBS is bloating, she explains.
Abdominal bloating can have different reasons behind it. Its characterised by a feeling of gassiness or feeling distended, explains The Gut Stuff team, aka Lisa and Alana Macfarlane, co-authors of The Gut Stuff: An empowering guide to your gut and microbes .
Youre not alone in thinking Why is my stomach bloated? either. Its one of the most common gut symptoms, and one of the things we get asked about the most, says The Gut Stuff team. In fact, its become a popular Instagram trend that people tend to associate with how bloating LOOKS, but a lot of people are still confused as to what it actually is and if they should worry about it.
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Is It Normal For A Kitten To Have A Bloated Belly
A swollen stomach is the most obvious symptoms of ascites. That said, a dramatic shift in appetite, weight, body temperature, excremental function, or physical sensitivity on or around the belly could indicate excess abdominal fluid. The most common causes are overeating or gorging, worms , and occasionally FIP.
Does Your Cat Have Parasites
This is the most common reason for ascites in younger cats/kittens. Cats may also become infected by eating flies or cockroaches that carry Isospora cysts. Isospora infections usually cause no problems in adult cats but can cause significant disease in younger cats or kittens. The coccidia may, in fact, destroy the lining of the intestine and could cause mucousy diarrhea. Cats are also at high risk for tapeworms. Symptoms of a tapeworm infection can be subtle. They include vomiting and weight loss. The easiest way to tell if your cat has tapeworms is to look at its feces. Tapeworms often come out of your cat’s anus while it is sleeping or very relaxed.
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What To Do When You Arrive At The Animal Hospital
Journal Your Way To Finding The Culprit
If you get bloated often, say, more than once a month, its worthwhile to figure out what triggers your symptoms. Try keeping a food journal for a few days and write down everything you eat and drink. Be sure you include the ingredients in your meals in case one of those is the actual problem.
As you make that journal entry, note how you feel 30 minutes after you eat. Terrific? Overly full? Tired? Gassy? You may see some patterns that help you figure out if you have any food allergies or intolerances.
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Having An Undiagnosed Condition
There are a few conditions that can cause bloating. Heart and liver disease and venous insufficiency can cause excess fluid in the abdomen or limbs. These conditions come with more prominent and tell-tale symptoms, and your health care provider can help you identify them and other illnesses that can cause bloating.
Chronic conditions can cause swelling and bloating in certain areas, Hoffman said. If you have a history or concern of these conditions, then its best to talk with your primary care provider.
Other gastrointestinal conditions can also cause bloating and stomach ailments. Conditions such as ulcerative colitis, Crohns disease and irritable bowel syndrome can all cause bloating. Acid reflux, and the medications to treat it, can cause bloating and a feeling of increased gas in the abdomen, leading to belching.
Have Better Eating Habits
Youre more likely to suffer from bloating if you have developed poor eating habits like not chewing properly or eating too fast, says Claire. We have to be super mindful of this try resting your cutlery between mouthfuls and chewing food until its semi-liquid, advises The Gut Stuff team.
Try to balance your blood sugars at every meal by making sure you eat protein and fats with your carbs, adds Claire. You might also consider taking a digestive aid. A magnesium supplement can also help, especially if youre constipated, she says.
Walking for a few minutes after meals helps a lot of people, recommends Dr Chophada.
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Causes Of Serious Bloating You Need To Know About And What To Do About Them
1. Ovarian cancer isnt the most likely, but it is one of the most lethal. Although ovarian cancer is only the fifth most common cancer in women, it causes more deaths than any other reproductive cancer mostly in women over 50. Risk factors include never having children or having them late in life, obesity, a family history of ovarian cancer, certain genetic abnormalities, and long-term treatment with hormone replacement therapy. Persistent bloating, feeling full faster, and pelvic pain are typical symptoms.
What to do if youre concerned about ovarian cancer:
A thorough pelvic exam or transvaginal ultrasound is the best way to diagnose ovarian cancer. The blood test CA-125 isnt a reliable screening test, but it can be helpful for following the course of treatment after diagnosis.
2. Uterine cancer. In addition to bloating, uterine cancer can cause abnormal vaginal bleeding, a watery or blood-tinged vaginal discharge, pelvic pain, or pain with intercourse or urination. But its important to know that sometimes bloating or a change in bowel habits may be the only initial signs of uterine cancer. Important risk factors include taking tamoxifen taking estrogen supplements that dont also contain progesterone radiation therapy a family history of uterine cancer or a family history of a form of inherited colon cancer called Lynch syndrome.
What to do if youre concerned about uterine cancer:
What to do if youre concerned about colon cancer:
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Reduce Your Carbohydrate Intake
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In case you werenât aware, irritable bowel syndrome remains the most common digestive disorder in the world, affecting an estimated 14% of the global population . Bloating is a common symptom of this ailment, but even if you are not suffering from IBS, this conditions may offer an insight into the root cause of your problem.
More specifically, indigestible carbohydrates known as FODMAPS are known to drastically increase stomach bloating and exacerbate the symptoms of IBS, so reducing or at least modifying your carb intake can lead to a dramatic improvement in your condition over time.
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Avoid Swallowing Air And Gases
There are two sources of gas in the digestive system.
One is gas produced by the bacteria in the gut. The other is air or gas that is swallowed when you eat or drink. The biggest offender here is carbonated beverages like soda or fizzy drinks.
They contain bubbles with carbon dioxide, a gas that can be released from the liquid after it reaches your stomach.
Chewing gum, drinking through a straw and eating while talking or while in a hurry can also lead to increased amounts of swallowed air.
Summary
Swallowed air can contribute to bloating. A major cause is drinking carbonated beverages, which contain gases that are dissolved in the liquid.
Eat The Right Amount Of Fibre
Sometimes a low fibre diet is prescribed to people who suffer with bloating because of bowel problems.
Foods like lentils, beans, broccoli, asparagus, corn, wheat, potatoes, artificial sweeteners or too much fibre can cause bloating, says Mr Chophada. Keeping a food diary to see if any specific foods trigger your symptoms and trying an elimination diet can help.
Your gut bugs have a bit of a party when you feed them fibre, which can shake things up while your gut adjusts. So you might find yourself a little bloated or windy, adds The Gut Stuff team. Try to increase your fibre intake by 5g per day per week over a few weeks to reduce the risk of bloating, advises the team.
If you love bread, here are some breads that may not make you bloat.
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Ways To Prevent A Bloated Belly In A Betta
The best possible way to prevent your Betta fish from becoming bloated is to take proper care of it and the fish tank from day one.
Feeding your pet fish with high-quality food is essential.
Reduce pellets and flakes to a minimum and interchange them with live, or freeze-dried live food.
You should also fast your fish at least once a week.
Perform regular water change to maintain a quality aquarium environment.
Dont forget to check the ammonia and nitrate levels, as spikes in those can rapidly induce stress in the fish.
Stress, on the other hand, can and will increase the chances of disease.
You can either do frequent water chemistry tests with a liquid-based test kit or set up an Ammonia Alert indicator that will constantly track NH3 levels in the aquarium.
Avoid placing sharp objects into the tank, as sometimes this can lead to injuries, more stress, and further health issues.
The same goes for the tank mates Betta fish are aggressive by nature and need some personal space.
For this reason, it is very important to choose the fish they share the aquarium with carefully.
Anyway, give your Betta enough space to swim around and to exercise its body muscles.
Although lots of people choose 2 or 2.5-gallon aquariums for their Betta pets, this is not really enough space for a happy life.
My piece of advice here would be to keep a Betta in a tank that holds no less than 5 gallons of water.
Why Is Your Betta Fish Having A Bloated Tummy
Looking at your Bettas swollen abdomen might be overwhelming.
Sometimes the condition may be accompanied by difficulties with swimming and breathing.There are several reasons for a Betta fish to develop a bloated belly:
A Betta fish may develop a bloated belly due to overfeeding with nutrient-dense foods or a lack of fiber in its diet. Substandard water quality, bacterial infections, or internal parasites may also contribute to bloat in fish.
All of these factors may lead to an expansion of the abdomen in fish and a belly that looks extremely swollen.
Severe constipation and conditions such as Swim Bladder Disorder, or Dropsy are all possible complications that may follow.
If a female Betta has a swollen belly, it may also be that she is egg bound.
All of the aforementioned conditions can be cured as long as they are properly and timely diagnosed.
Let me explain each one in detail.
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Red Flags For Swollen Stomach And Back Pain
Bloating causes a distended stomach when the abdomen fills up with gas or air. This discomforting sensation can also cause pain that may be felt in the back. Together, a swollen stomach and back pain can make you feel not only distressed but perhaps a bit self-conscious as well.
The two symptoms are tied together because the back provides support and stabilizes the body. However, abdominal bloating causes pressure and pain in the area which can spread to the back. The pain may vary in severity and type from sensations of dull throbbing to sharp and pinching pain.
When the two symptoms are experienced separately they are fairly common and not usually a cause for concern. But in instances where a bloating stomach pain is also accompanied by back pain, they could be indicative of a more serious condition. These should not be taken lightly as they can include the following:
Stay Hydrated At All Times
Letâs start with the basics, as when you are not drinking enough fluids, your body automatically retains water to prevent dehydration. So, by maximising your fluid intake and drinking at least six, eight-ounce glasses of liquid each day, you can remain hydrated and prevent the retention of water. Just be selective about the drinks that you consume, with the best bet being to focus on water and avoid sugary or artificially flavoured drinks.
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Stop Wearing Tight Clothing While Eating
Its sometimes not about WHAT you eat but HOW you eat. This may seem a little far-fetched but tight clothing can constrict your stomach, making it more difficult for things to pass through, explains The Gut Stuff team. Therefore, loosen your clothes before eating.
Its the same with the position in which youre sitting when you have your meal check your eating position, says the team.
How To Tell The Difference Between Belly Fat And Bloat
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One easy way to tell the difference between bloat and belly fat is to note belly fat does not cause your stomach to expand wildly throughout the course of a day bloat does. One other way to tell the difference between bloat and belly fat is you can physically grasp belly fat with your hand, you cannot with bloat.
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What To Do If Your Dog Is Bloated
- Bring in your dog for immediate veterinary attention. If your regular vet isn’t open, please seek immediate attention at another vet or find a local Animal ER.
- Do not attempt to give your dog any over-the-counter medications or folk remedies. This could make matters worse and delay critical treatment.
- If possible, call to inform the vet that you are on the way. This will give them time to prepare for your dogs arrival.