The increase in diameter of the stomach or general swelling in the abdominal area is referred to as stomach bloating. Stomach bloating can occur due to as number of reasons and can lead to abdominal pain. It is characterized by a feeling of fullness or pressure in the belly region.
What causes bloating?
Bloating in the stomach can be cause by numerous reasons; these can be common and harmless or even due to infectious diseases. Some of the common causes of stomach bloating are food allergies, overeating, irritable bowel syndrome, lactose intolerance, abdominal fat, constipation, water retention, and consumption of gas-producing foods.
Some unusual causes of abdominal bloating are areophagia, which is swallowing of air. Some individuals tend to swallow air when they are nervous. Diverticulosis, Gastric dumping syndrome, Anorexia, Anxiety, Hypothyroidism Celiac Disease, Splenic-flexure syndrome, Alvarez’ syndrome (neutoric bloating), parasites and worms in the intestine, obstruction of the bowel, hypersecretion of saliva, and also due to medicines like Phentermine.
Symptoms accompanying stomach bloating
Stomach bloating does not usually occur in isolation or independent of other factors. Some of the symptoms that co-occur with bloating are cramps, stomach pain, diarrhea, lower-back pain, abdominal distention, gas, belching and shortness of breath.
How to relieve bloating
Intestinal gas is one of the most common causes of stomach bloating. In order to treat stomach bloating, one must address underlying issues such as gas. This relatively common condition can be caused by many factors.
What causes gas?
Excessive gas in the stomach and intestine can be a result of numerous bodily functions that occur daily. A slight imbalance in any one of the following factors is likely to cause the production of unnecessary gas.
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Imbalance in the Bacteria: There is a constant tussle between bacteria that are beneficial to the body and bad bacteria. The digestive system is vulnerable to a large number of bacterial infections. In some cases, infections can cause burning, acidic reactions and gas in the gastrointestinal tract.
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Difficulty in breaking down sugars: Some complex sugar compounds are difficult to break down. The inability of the body to break down such foods can lead to the production of gas. Sugars such as oligosaccharides are not completely broken down, as the human body does not produce the alpha glactosidase enzymes that are necessary to process them. When these unbroken compounds reach the intestines, fermentation occurs and gas is released in the process.
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Problems in the digestion of protein: Some proteins and fiber produced in plants and animals are hard to digest. Proteins need a lot of acid that is produced in the stomach to be digested completely. Similarly, plant fibers are also hard to break down. Although a certain amount of fiber is a dietary requirement, if consumed in excess, it can cause problems in digestion. The undigested material will then be fermented within the body leading to the formation of excessive gas in the stomach and intestine.
Relieving gas
The best way to relieve gas and the bloating that result from excessive amounts of gas in the body is by the regulation of food intake and steering away from self-medication. Some medicines are also known to be gas inducing. Carefully planned meals can reduce chances of gas formation and bloating and abdominal pain. However, if bloating occurs, consult a doctor to obtain necessary guidance.
