What Causes Male Stomach Bloating

Take A Warm Bath Soaking And Relaxing

Stomach Bloating: causes, symptoms and cures

The heat of the bath can provide relief for a sore abdomen. Relaxation can reduce stress levels, which may allow the GI tract to function more effectively and help reduce bloating.

Quick fixes are not always effective for some causes of bloating. However, people who have frequent bloating may find that certain lifestyle changes can tackle the causes and reduce bloating over time.

People can use these simple steps to try to prevent bloating in the long-term:

The 6 Best Ways Reduce Stomach Bloating

Now that you know the most common causes for bloating, lets talk about how to reduce or even eliminate it.

Stop Drinking Carbonated Beverages

If youre having problems with a swollen, gassy stomach, then you dont want to drink gas-infused liquids.

I dont think this needs much more explanation.

Make Sure Youre Not Constipated

Constipation is known to exacerbate symptoms of stomach bloating and it has several possible causes.

The one people most commonly believe is inadequate fiber intake, but research shows this isnt the case. In fact, increasing fiber intake can make the bloating worse and reducing intake can help alleviate constipation.

Laxatives work, of course, but exercise and supplementation with magnesium are two reliable ways to get your bowels moving as well.

Balance Your Sodium and Potassium Levels

As you know, large fluctuations in sodium intake can cause bloating and water retention. Inadequate potassium intake can do the same.

The key is maintaining a stable intake and proper balance of both sodium and potassium.

Again, I like to stick with the Institute of Medicines recommendations, which is 1.5 to 2.3 grams of sodium and 4.7 grams of potassium per day.

Take stock of your daily sodium intake and if youre like most people and its too high, here are some simple ways to reduce it:

And yes, I know its kind of annoying to count/track yet another thing in your diet but its worth the hassle if youre struggling with bloating.

Reduce Your Cortisol Levels

Treatment

Does Drinking Water Help With Bloating

While it may seem counterintuitive, drinking water may help to reduce bloat by ridding the body of excess sodium, Fullenweider says. Another tip: Be sure to drink plenty of water before your meal too. This step offers the same bloat-minimizing effect and can also prevent overeating, according to the Mayo Clinic.

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You Drink Too Much Booze

The Dietary Guidelines recommend that men have two alcoholic beverages or fewer each day, if any. If youre a big beer drinker, you may notice that the bubbles in the drink make your stomach bloat, says Rizzo.

On top of that, alcohol has unnecessary calories that may lead to weight gain and alcohol also dehydrates you, which means that you will retain water and feel bloated, Rizzo adds.

Having a drink every now and then is perfectly fine, but try and keep it to a minimum if you want to fight bloat.

Consider Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Although more common in women, bloating in men may result from irritable bowel syndrome . This functional gastrointestinal disorder causes a range of symptoms from constipation to diarrhea to abdominal pain and even bloating.

Treatment for IBS and the symptoms it causes may include medications to improve bowel function, probiotics and diet changes. Adding more fiber to your diet and drinking more water may also help regulate bowel function and alleviate some of the IBS symptoms, like bloating.

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When To Talk To Your Health Care Provider

Bloating can be normal, but it can also be a sign of serious conditions. Its important to keep track of what foods cause you to feel bloated, but also note if you experience other symptoms that have accompanied bloating.

If you notice a drastic change in weight or changes in your bowel movementssuch as changes in color or consistencyyou need to tell your provider that as well, as they can be signs of an underlying condition, Hoffman said. If you ate too much and are having trouble digesting your food, then you know that was the likely cause of your bloating and cramping, but if its come on suddenly with a healthy diet, you should err on the side of caution and visit your provider.

Media contact: Dee Dee Grays, , 979.436.0611

You’re Drinking Too Much Booze

You know the feeling after having one too many the night before: FULL.

On top of that, alcohol has unnecessary calories that may lead to weight gain and alcohol also dehydrates you, which means that you will retain water and feel bloated, Rizzo adds.

Having a drink every now and then is perfectly fine, but try and keep it to a minimum if you want to fight bloat.

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Why Do Some People Experience A Painful Bloated Stomach

Having a constantly bloated stomach doesnt necessarily mean youre producing more gas than usual.

And its not always a symptom of an underlying condition. In some people, its simply an overreaction to normal amounts of gas in the abdomen.

And unfortunately, the reasons why this happens to some individuals and not others arent fully understood.12

Is Coffee Good For Bloating

The REAL Cause of Abdominal Pain and Bloating – Dr. Berg

Though some people find that coffee helps with bloating because its a diuretic, others become sensitive to it and have the opposite effect. The good news is, there are plenty of herbal teas that will actually help belly bloat, and theyre so tasty, you might not even miss your morning cup of coffee.

Are Fodmaps Bad For Everyone

Not at all. In fact, our digestive systems are designed to process some foods that we cant fully digest ourselves for example, dietary fiber, which has an important place in digestive health. And feeding the bacteria in our gut is part of our symbiotic arrangement with those bacteria. But some people with sensitive guts experience a level of indigestion from these foods that significantly impacts their quality of life. For these people, the byproducts of fermentation cause chronic symptoms of gas, bloating, abdominal pain and distension. The extra water drawn by the small intestine may cause diarrhea in excess, or constipation if there isnt enough.

If I Have Ascites How Can I Best Take Care Of Myself

People with ascites should work with a dietitian to plan a sodium-restricted diet. Check food labels, and avoid high-sodium foods.

You can use several salt substitutes. However, avoid substitutes with potassium, since the medicine you may be taking for ascites can also increase potassium. A dietitian can help you plan a healthy diet and provide recommendations for salt alternatives.

In addition, you should:

Take your diuretics as prescribed.
Record your weight every day.
Stop drinking alcohol, which can cause further liver damage.
Treat hepatitis B or C if necessary.

What Causes A Mans Stomach To Swell

When your stomach swells and feels hard, the explanation might be as simple as overeating or drinking carbonated drinks, which is easy to remedy. Other causes may be more serious, such as an inflammatory bowel disease. Sometimes the accumulated gas from drinking a soda too quickly can result in a hard stomach.

How Common Is Ascites

Fluid buildup rarely occurs in otherwise healthy people. It develops as a result of other diseases, most often cirrhosis. Ascites is the most common complication of cirrhosis. About half of people with decompensated cirrhosis will develop ascites. Cirrhosis accounts for about 80% of the cases of ascites.

Menopause And Pelvic Floor Problems

Menopause leads to further slowing of the metabolism and muscle loss.

“A lot of women don’t realize that there are estrogen receptors in your bowel. At menopause , it’s not unusual to have some change in bowel function, as your gut gets used to these hormonal alterations,” Dr. Wender says. “Bloating in particular is well known around menopause.”

People over 40 may also have pelvic floor dysfunction caused by muscle loss â particularly if they’ve given birth, says dietitian Tamara Duker Freuman, RD, author of âThe Bloated Belly Whispererâ.

“There is a pretty high incidence of pelvic floor dysfunction where you can be constipated because your pelvic floor muscles don’t work as well, or they’re not coordinated properly,” Duker Freuman says. “As they age, that can catch up with women in particular and cause incomplete defecation. This leads to constipation and bloating as well.”

What Is Abdominal Distension

A distended abdomen is measurably swollen beyond its normal size. Its often accompanied by the feeling of being bloated with trapped gas or digestive contents. However, abdominal distension isnt always from digestive processes. Healthcare providers diagnose a distended abdomen in terms of the five fs: flatus , fetus , feces , fluid or fat.

A distended abdomen may be very uncomfortable, or it may simply be a symptom that you and your healthcare provider observe visually. It may be acute a sudden, unusual occurrence or chronic something that occurs and resolves itself repeatedly in a predictable way. Chronic abdominal distension accompanied by an uncomfortable bloated feeling is often related to a digestive problem.

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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.

Tips To Get Rid Of Bloating

Bloating, Causes, Signs and Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment.

Duker-Freuman cautions against looking for quick fixes. “There is not a one-size-fits-all solution,” she says. “There is no blanket recommendation for bloating as you age or magic food for bloating. The treatment or prevention depends on why you’re bloated.”

With that said, here are four things you can try for a bloated belly.

Get More Active Every Day

Exercise helps your body move stool and gas out of the colon and may make bowel movements more regular. Exercise also releases extra sodium from the body through sweating, which can help to relieve water retention.

It is vital to drink plenty of water before and after exercising to stay hydrated, as dehydration can make constipation worse.

A Condition That Shouldnt Go Unnoticed

In most cases, a bloated stomach is a sign that something isnt working properly at a gastrointestinal level. In general, its the result of food reactions or mild illnesses that can be easily dealt with. However, a lack of treatment can lead to several long-term complications.

Having said this, a health professional should be consulted immediately if the discomfort persists or other symptoms occur. Doctors are trained to identify the specific cause of this condition and provide prompt treatment.

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What Is A Bloated Stomach

A bloated stomach is first and foremost a feeling of tightness, pressure or fullness in your belly. It may or may not be accompanied by a visibly distended abdomen. The feeling can range from mildly uncomfortable to intensely painful. It usually goes away after a while, but for some people, its a recurring problem. Digestive issues and hormone fluctuations can cause cyclical bloating. If your bloated stomach doesnt go away, you should seek medical care to determine the cause.

Having A Food Intolerance

Typically, if someone is feels bloated, it is because of their food or water intake, but even if you havent eaten too much, you may have eaten the wrong thing. Certain food intolerances or sensitives to spicy or acidic foods can cause the gastrointestinal tract to have a more difficult time than usual.

An undiagnosed intolerance to foods can cause a lot of bloating, Hoffman said. The body is trying to break down the foods for the body to use, and a lot of gas can be the result of that work.

If you experience a lot of bloating, try keeping a food journal to track what you eat, when you notice bloating and the amount of discomfort you experience.

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Rule Out Medical Conditions

In some cases, bloating may result from a medical condition. To get rid of this bloating, a person may need help from a doctor to diagnose and manage their condition.

Inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohns disease and ulcerative colitis, may cause people to experience bloating. Irritable bowel syndrome , can also cause this symptom.

Gynecological conditions, such as endometriosis and ovarian cysts, can also cause pain, swelling, and feelings of bloating in the abdominal area.

People with these symptoms should discuss them with a doctor, who will also want to know about any relevant family medical history and other medical conditions. The doctor may order diagnostic tests to look for any problems. These may include an X-ray, ultrasound, colonoscopy, or blood tests.

Swap Salt For Herbs And Spices

Whether you like it or not, those salty chips dont just give you empty caloriesall that sodium will also encourage your body to retain water. Before long, youll be sending a search party for your abs.

Over the next two days, try to avoid eating fast food, restaurant food, or packaged foodin fact, thats where most Americans get their dietary salt. Instead, cook at home with whole ingredients such as lean meat and poultry, vegetables, and slow-digesting carbs.

Better yet, swap out the salt and use herbs and spices instead. Use red pepper flakes for some heat, oregano and thyme for some Italian flavor, lemon/lime juice and zest, or turmeric and curry powder for anti-inflammatory power.

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What Can I Eat On The Low

Certain fruits, vegetables, grains and proteins are higher and lower in FODMAPs. Some are OK to eat in limited amounts but will bother you in larger amounts. For example, most legumes and processed meats are high in FODMAPs, but plain-cooked meats, tofu and eggs are low-FODMAP protein sources. Apples, watermelon and stone fruits are high in FODMAPs, but grapes, strawberries and pineapples are OK. A ripe banana is high in fructose, but you can have up to a third cut up in your cereal, or you can have a whole one if its not quite ripe. Your dietician can help provide you with these kinds of specific guidelines for your diet.

Can Ascites Be Cured

Banish Belly Bloat with These Simple Tips – Dr. Anthony Youn

Treatments for ascites can help improve symptoms and reduce complications. In some patients, ascites may resolve with diuretic therapy or with TIPS or liver transplant. In the case of alcohol-associated hepatitis, ascites may resolve with improvements in liver function. Follow your healthcare providers recommendations to stay as healthy as possible.

What Causes A Bloated Stomach

A bloated stomach is mostly caused by air becoming stuck around the abdomen and is normally a problem to do with digestion. Particularly, if the problem occurs after eating, excess intestinal gas is likely to be behind a bloated stomach or pain in the area. Eating too quickly or in excess can cause a bloated stomach but recurrent problems of this type should be investigated by a doctor as they may be caused by an underlying condition linked to digestion, such as a lactose intolerance, acid reflux or constipation. A stomach flu can also be behind a swollen abdomen and some women may experience it during the premenstrual phase of their menstrual cycle.

Swallowing Too Much Air

Most people think of taking in air when they inhale, but it can also be done a number of other ways. Common daily habitssuch as drinking from a straw, chewing gum and eating too quicklyare ways to add air into your digestive tract instead of your respiratory system.

When you swallow too much air you can start to feel bloated, Hoffman said. If its becoming a problem, start cutting out gum and straws and see if that helps eases your symptoms.

What Are The Causes Of Bloating In Men

Bloating in men occurs when the abdomen becomes visibly extended. The bloating may be accompanied by cramps and a physical feeling of fullness in the stomach. Men often experience bloating as a result of increased gas in the abdomen. Increased gas can occur as a result of intestinal infections or intolerances to certain foods.

Tip

Bloating in men may occur from a number of causes, including eating contaminated food, a food intolerance or an underlying health condition such as celiac disease or irritable bowel syndrome.

Are These Signs Or Symptoms Accompanying Your Bloat

The postoperative distended belly of a man who has undergone Stock ...

Fortunately, if you feel bloated its usually harmless and caused by something as simple as gas, indigestion, or premenstrual symptoms.

But when there are other symptoms occurring with your persistent bloating symptoms you may want to dive deeper into the actual cause.

Other signs and symptoms to look out for with your constant bloating include:

Severe abdominal pain

Dont shrug your constant bloating off if youre experiencing any of the above symptoms.

Because when detected early, certain diseases such as colon cancer, pelvic inflammatory disease, or diverticulitis are easier to treat and can reduce more complications.

And if gastrointestinal issues like leaky gut syndrome and inflammatory bowel diseases arent properly treated it could lead to other complications such as autoimmune diseases or cancer.

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