Suffering an episode of a bloated stomach or belly is something that can occur as a result of excessive food intake and poor digestion. In most cases, it is a temporary situation that is not serious, but it is important to emphasize that if bloated stomach problems are frequent or cause severe discomfort, consulting a doctor is essential. Sometimes the cause may simply be a punctual accumulation of gases in the stomach and intestine, but in others, this situation may be a symptom of diseases that require the necessary diagnosis and treatment. If you wonder ” why does my stomach swell as if I were pregnant?“, in this OneHOWTO article we review the most common causes and give you some tips that can help improve the most bothersome symptoms.
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Gas due to poor digestion
Maintaining healthy eating habits and proper chewing is the first measure to avoid excessive gas formation that ends up causing the stomach to swell and can even cause abdominal pain . We must remember that the digestive process begins in our mouth, as we chew food. Eating quickly without chewing food well, drinking an excessive amount of liquids and also swallowing air in each bite without realizing it, will not only probably cause a feeling of heaviness in the stomachbut swelling and discomfort. Eating food slowly, starting to swallow on your own and not drinking carbonated beverages at meals is a basic first step to avoid ending up with a bloated stomach.
Food allergies and intolerances
Adverse reactions to certain foods are also a likely cause of bloating . People with celiac disease, with gluten intolerance or those who do not tolerate lactose must be especially careful with foods that have these components in their composition, because it is necessary to avoid them and also take the necessary precautions to avoid cross-contamination.
Here you can read about What are the symptoms of food intolerances and The most common food allergies in adults .
Fluid retention
When the body does not properly eliminate excess fluids and toxins , a swollen belly is a common symptom. If the problem is persistent, medical consultation is important, but as specific measures that can relieve discomfort, drinking fluids (although it seems contradictory), especially water and infusions, and moderate exercise (for example, walking 45 minutes) can be of great help. If the stomach and abdominal swelling is accompanied by swelling in the legs, the medical consultation does not admit waiting.
occasional constipation
As in the previous case, an incorrect intestinal transit can also end up triggering severe discomfort, swelling and abdominal pain . If it is a sporadic episode, increasing the amount of fiber in the diet (fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes…), without exceeding it, and increasing physical activity may be the solution.
Excess fiber in the diet
Fiber is a necessary nutrient, essential for intestinal transit , and as we said in the previous point, its insufficiency can cause digestive problems, but it should be noted that its excess can also trigger symptoms such as: diarrhea, gas that swells the stomach and intestines , cramps and cramps in the abdominal area. The secret is in a balanced diet that includes a percentage of between 20 and 30 grams of fiber per day, as recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) for an adult person.
Intestinal parasites
It is a less frequent but not exceptional cause. The presence of worms, tapeworms, anisakis and other parasites can manifest itself with very diverse symptoms, from itching in the anal area to weight loss accompanied by frequent swelling and abdominal pain.
Here you can learn about some home remedies to eliminate intestinal parasites .
Meteorism
As experts from the Spanish Digestive System Foundation (FEAD) [1] point out , meteorism is a pathology related to the excessive presence of intestinal gas , which may have been produced for various reasons, including a hypersensitivity of the intestine to the gases themselves. Pain and discomfort in the intestinal and stomach area, distension of the abdomen , belching and flatulence are common symptoms. Meteorism can hide an allergy or intolerance and if it is persistent, the doctor will indicate the necessary treatment and the most appropriate diet.
stress and anxiety
Sometimes it is difficult to determine the exact origin of having a swollen stomach, even if you follow a balanced diet and chew correctly. Prolonged stress and anxiety situations can have multiple physical manifestations and also affect the digestive system, churning and bloating the stomach and intestines.
In these cases, infusions can be helpful, since the vast majority are digestive and many help to relax. Here you can learn about the best teas to reduce bloating and the best teas to calm anxiety .
irritable bowel
Irritable bowel syndrome (better known as irritable bowel syndrome) is a gastrointestinal disorder that is usually associated with symptoms such as abdominal discomfort or pain and stomach swelling. It requires medical treatment and following specific nutritional guidelines.
Here you can learn about some Home Remedies for irritable bowel and the Forbidden Foods for irritable bowel .
Presence of tumors
Although it is not frequent, the swelling of the stomach could indicate the presence of benign or malignant tumors , especially if this swelling is persistent, that is, it does not disappear, for example, after having a bowel movement and is also accompanied by other symptoms (weight loss, blood in the stool, general malaise..).
There is no need to be alarmists and a specific episode of swollen belly may simply be due to the fact that we have eaten too much, very quickly or that we have abused carbonated drinks, but even so, if the problem does not improve in a short time, following a balanced diet and doing enough exercise is always important to consult with the specialist .
This article is merely informative, at oneHOWTO we do not have the power to prescribe any medical treatment or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to go to a doctor in the event of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.