What Is Bloating And What Is It Caused By
Bloating or meteorism can be described as a state in which there is an increase in air quantity in the digestive system. It is an uncomfortable problem which causes the sensation of heaviness in the stomach, abdominal pain, as well as pressure in the intestines, and occasionally in the chest. It can also be followed by gas, diarrhea, and even abdominal cramps.
In most cases it occurs due to a modern lifestyle dominated by fast food poor in fiber, irregular meals, and stress.
Natural And Home Remedies For Bloating And Gas Relief
The best way to relieve and even prevent symptoms of stomach bloating and gas, is a healthy diet and regular exercise, however, there are many things you can do to prevent and relieve bloating and gas.
You can try natural remedies to relieve bloating and gas.
Talk with your doctor or other health care professional before using any natural or home remedies because they may have unwanted side effects or interactions with medications you currently take.
Middle Of The Abdomen
Upper middle:
The upper middle part of the abdomen contains the liver, the cardiac region of the stomach, part of the body of the stomach, the pyloric region of the stomach, and the pancreas.
The liver filters blood and creates bile, which is a substance that helps in the breakdown and absorption of fat in the foods you eat.
The cardiac region of the stomach is where food enters from the esophagus.
The pyloric region of the stomach is the last part of the stomach before food enters into the duodenum of the small intestine.
The pancreas is a large glandular organ that releases digestive enzymes and hormones.
Lower middle:
The urinary bladder is the organ that collects urine for excretion out of the body through the urethra.
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Is Excessive Burping A Sign Of Covid
As noted above, COVID presents with many different signs and symptoms. A majority of the common symptoms are listed above, and it is not common to see signs of excessive burping if you have COVID. If you are experiencing excessive burping, the common causes could be swallowing air when eating, eating too fast, chewing gum, or smoking. Some fixes could be to slow down while eating and chewing, reduce the amount of gum you chew, or reduce smoking.
Tell Me: How Much Burping Is Considered Excessive
If youre burping to the point where its bothersome and thats happening three or more days a week, thats when you should talk to a doctor, says Rabia De Latour, M.D., a gastroenterologist and advanced endoscopist at NYU School of Medicine.
The first thing your doc will do is ask you about any daily habits you have that might be contributing to the problem.
Aerophasia, or swallowing air, is by the far the most common cause of mega-burping, De Latour says. Its so common, in fact, that you may not even realize youre doing it . All that swallowed air gets trapped in your esophagus and stomach and it has to get out somehow.
Burps are just memories of meals gone by.
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Aerophasia doesnt mean youre sick its a condition that you can fix by changing your behaviors . Burping by itself is almost never a sign of illness, says , M.D., an internal medicine physician with UCHealth.
But there are times when recurrent burping can signify a more serious, underlying problemespecially when its happening in conjunction with other symptoms, says Kavanagh.
These excessive burping symptoms should raise a red flag:
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Soothe Your Tummy With Tumeric
Tumeric, a spice loaded with curcumin, has anti-inflammatory properties shown to help in a range of conditions triggered by inflammation, including heart disease, inflammatory bowel disease , and even depression, according to a paper published in November 2021 in Drug Design, Development and Therapy. The research also noted that curcumin helps regulate the gut microbiota, bring relief to people with IBD, and reduce inflammation that could likely lead to colon cancer.
Curcumin is a potent anti-inflammatory that can help soothe the digestive tract when you are suffering from an inflammation-related issue, says Finkel.
What Can Be Done
Over-the-counter medications or a prescription from your doctor might help. Look for a medication containing alpha-D-galactosidase. It has an enzyme that breaks down indigestible sugars in vegetables and beans.
Tablets or capsules containing simethicone can also help alleviate symptoms of upper abdominal bloating. If youre a tobacco user, its a good reason to quit because it has been linked to heartburn, bloating, and other digestive problems. Fortunately, bloating is a very common affliction, and most people can find a remedy at the pharmacy. Other measures, such as a change in diet, the frequency and times between meals and a change in habits are all youll need to do to avoid bloating.
When to Worry
Usually, temporary bloating is very common and nothing to worry about. However, if the condition persists on a regular basis, or bathroom problems are a constant battle, there might be more serious medical conditions causing your discomfort, so youll need to consult your physician. There could be a physical obstruction in the stomach or small intestines, and if diagnosed by your health care provider, may need to be surgically corrected. Many people already know that gas-inducing foods can cause gas, but what most people dont suspect is an underlying chronic disease or cancer that could also be the cause.
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Common Causes Of Stomach Ache
Talk to your GP if youre worried about your stomach ache.
Common causes of stomach ache include:
- farting feeling bloated or farting a lot
- indigestion feeling full and bloated after eating, heartburn or feeling sick
- constipation cannot poo
- diarrhoea or food poisoning watery poo, feeling sick or vomiting
What Causes Bloating In The Stomach
Gas
Gas is a natural byproduct of digestion, but too much intestinal gas means your digestion is gone awry. While you can ingest gasses by swallowing air or drinking carbonated beverages, these gasses mostly escape through belching before they reach your intestines. Gasses in your intestines are mostly produced by gut bacteria digesting carbohydrates, in a process called fermentation.
If theres too much fermentation going on, its because too many carbohydrates werent naturally absorbed earlier in the digestive process, before reaching those gut bacteria. That could be for several reasons. Maybe you just ate too much too fast for proper digestion. Or you might have a specific food intolerance or gastrointestinal disease. Some possible causes include:
Digestive Contents
These can include solids, liquids, and gas. Digestive contents can build up in your digestive system when there is a backup or restriction in your digestive tract or when the muscles that move digestive contents along are somehow impaired. Any build-up of digestive contents along the digestive tract will leave less room for normal amounts of gas to process through. It also leaves less room for other things in your abdomen, including circulatory fluids and fat, making everything feel tighter. Causes of build-up can include:
Hormones
Other Causes
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When To Seek Relief
Most minor fluctuations in gas and bowel habits are normal, but if you experience excessive or persistent gas or bloating, its time to seek medical attention, cautions van der Linden. A little gas is probably healthy, but a lot of gas, that could be a problem, he says.
Talk to your doctor if gas symptoms change suddenly, become severe, begin to interfere with your normal activities or are accompanied by other symptoms. A physical exam, stool tests, blood tests and imaging tests, which may include an endoscopy or colonoscopy, might be performed to help rule out or diagnose an underlying health issue. Your physician will also review your symptoms and family history and may recommend keeping a food journal or eliminating certain foods from your diet.
Dietary changes, such as eating more slowly, not gulping food or drinks and avoiding or limiting certain foods or beverages, can help relieve some uncomfortable symptoms. Adding even small bouts of exercise to your day can help push gas through your system and ease bloating. Stress management techniques, like yoga or meditation, can help keep you from unintentionally swallow air when youre talking, which can happen when youre upset or nervous.
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Treatment For Gas Gas Pains And Bloating
If your gas and gas pains are caused by an underlying condition, treatment for that condition may provide relief. Usually, gas can be treated through lifestyle modifications, dietary changes, and over-the-counter medications.
Dietary Considerations
Not everyone has the same reaction to all foods. Keeping a food diary can help you determine which foods cause increases in gas and bloating. Eliminating or reducing certain foods may be necessary to reduce your symptoms.
High-Fiber Foods
Foods that can cause gas due to high fiber include whole wheat, bran, prunes, peaches, apples, pears, asparagus, artichokes, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, onions, and beans. You may try avoiding high-fiber foods for a week or two and gradually start to eat them again. You should visit a doctor or dietitian to make sure youâre getting enough fiber.
Dairy
Some people do not easily digest lactose, the sugar found in dairy products. Reducing or eliminating dairy products could help you reduce symptoms of gas and bloating. There are often lactose-free options for some products like milk.
Artificial Sweeteners
You may try eliminating sugar substitutes or trying a different type.
Fatty/Fried Food
Fat in your digestive tract can slow down digestion, allowing food to ferment longer and produce gas. Reducing fat in your diet may help lessen symptoms.
Carbonated Beverages
Fiber Supplements
Water
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Biofeedback And Neuromodulatory Techniques
Biofeedback Biofeedback and bowel retraining techniques have an established role in the management of functional hindgut disorders.110 Biofeedback involves a training program, usually led by a nurse or physiotherapist, in which instrument-based techniques are used to reinforce normal patterns of neuromuscular function.
Although no studies have assessed biofeedback for bloating in isolation, several small studies have shown that anorectal biofeedback relaxation techniques reduce symptoms of bloating in up to 70% of patients and concurrently reduce constipation, with the effect maintained for up to 12 months.20,111 This effect does not appear to be confined to those with slow transit or manometric abnormalities and is independent of the presence or absence of IBS.
Diaphragmatic breathing techniques are useful in aerophagia and rumination,112 and given the potential role of visceromotor reflexes in abdominal distension, they may confer benefit in the management of bloating. Unfortunately, no reliable studies have adequately explored this possible effect.
Neuromodulation Sacral nerve stimulation has been associated with a reduction in the frequency and severity of abdominal bloating and other symptoms of constipa-113,114 A study in patients with IBS also showed a significant reduction in bloating.115 However, sacral nerve stimulation is considered experimental, and as such, it cannot currently be recommended for the management of isolated bloating.
When To See A Doctor
When a bloated stomach and abdominal pain happen due to a serious issue, you are likely to experience a number of other severe symptoms, including uncontrolled diarrhea, blood in your stool or vomit, uncontrolled vomiting, loss of consciousness, and no bowel movements for up to three days.
It is also a good idea to consult your doctor if you experience abdominal pain and bloating after nearly every meal you eat, or with nausea, painful bowel movements, painful sex, unexplained weight loss, a high fever, and worsening heartburn.
If your doctor performs a physical exam, they may suspect a medical condition is the cause of your abdominal pain or bloating. Your doctor may then run certain medical tests based on the exam results and your medical history.
Some of the most common tests for bloating and abdominal pain include a urine test to check for UTIs or other urinary tract disorders stool analysis to check for abnormalities that can indicate a digestive problem a complete blood count to detect blood loss or rule out infections and an imaging test like an MRI scan, ultrasound, CT scan, a plain film X-ray, or fluoroscopic imaging.
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How Is Bloating Diagnosed
Your doctor can generally diagnose the cause of your bloating through a physical exam in the office. They will ask you questions about your symptoms. They will want to know if your bloating is occasional or if it occurs all the time.
Temporary bloating is usually not serious. If it happens all the time, your doctor may order other tests. These could include an imaging test to look inside your abdomen. This could be an X-ray or CT scan.
Dont Eat Too Much At A Time
Being stuffed can feel like being bloated, but the problem is that you simply ate too much.
If youre eating big meals and tend to feel uncomfortable afterward, then try smaller portions. Add another daily meal if necessary.
A subset of people who experience bloating dont really have an enlarged stomach or increased pressure in the abdomen. The issue is mostly sensory .
A person with a tendency to be bloated will experience discomfort from a smaller amount of food than a person who rarely feels bloated.
For this reason, simply eating smaller meals can be incredibly useful.
Chewing your food better can have a two-fold effect. It reduces the amount of air you swallow with the food , and it also makes you eat slower, which is linked to reduced food intake and smaller portions .
Summary
People who experience bloating often have increased sensitivity to food in the stomach. Therefore, eating smaller meals can be very useful.
Small intestinal bowel overgrowth is when theres an abnormal increase in the bacteria that live in your small intestine, such as E. coli or Klebsiella.
Several things can lead to SIBO. Surgery of the intestines that changes your anatomy can cause it. Decreased motility of the small intestine caused by IBS, diabetes, or opioid drugs can also cause SIBO. And people who have a weakened immune system have a higher risk of SIBO.
SIBO can interfere with your bodys ability to absorb nutrients from your food, which can lead to vitamin deficiencies.
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Lifestyle Changes To Reduce Gas
Some lifestyle adjustments can help reduce gas, gas pains, and bloating.
- Eat smaller portions Many healthy foods can also cause gas. Eating smaller portions may help reduce excess gas.
- Chew completely and slow down If you eat too fast, it could cause gas. Tip: put down your fork between each bite.
- sucking on hard candies
Why Is My Stomach Bloated
The most common cause of stomach pain and bloating is excess intestinal gas. If you get a bloated stomach after eating, it may be a digestive issue. It might be as simple as eating too much too fast, or you could have a food intolerance or other condition that causes gas and digestive contents to build up. Your menstrual cycle is another common cause of temporary bloating. Sometimes a bloated stomach can indicate a more serious medical condition.
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Pay Attention To Various Forms Of Sugar
Just about everything we eat daily contains sugar. Sugar alcohols like xylitol, mannitol, and sorbitol have FODMAP properties and can lead to bloating, says Lindsey Bristol, M.S., R.D., author of The Sexy Abs Diet. The body has a hard time digesting these artificial sweeteners, which can lead to a bloated stomach. Instead, explore healthier food swaps to reduce bloat, such as stevia, agave, or natural honey, and limit them as much as possible.
Watch out for hidden sources of sugar in your regular diet, too. Processed foods, such as breakfast cereals, protein bars, and condiments, including ketchup, tomato sauce, and marinades can contain sugar in other forms. Read labels and opt for cleaner versions of products that have minimal sugar and additives. Eat whole foods as much as possible.
Gut Barrier And Oral Intolerance
Food allergy represents an abnormal response of the mucosal immune system to antigens delivered through the oral route. The gastrointestinal mucosal barrier is a complex physical and immunologic structure. Despite the complex mucosal barrier, about 2% of ingested food antigens are absorbed and transported throughout the normal mature gut wall.21,22 Even though intact foreign food antigens routinely penetrate the gastrointestinal tract, they infrequently induce clinical symptoms because of the development of oral tolerance to dietary proteins in most individuals.23 Recent studies suggested that antigen-presenting cells, especially intestinal epithelial cells and dendritic cells, and regulatory T cells play a central role in oral tolerance.24,25 However, the underlying immunologic mechanisms involved in oral tolerance induction are not fully understood.
A large epidemiologic study has identified infectious gastroenteritis as the most significant environmental risk factor for the development of IBS,26 suggesting that previous infection and persistent low-grade inflammation may play an important role in the pathogenesis of functional gut diseases. This may be because of impairment of the complex immune response of the gastrointestinal mucosa, which results in a breakdown of oral tolerance.
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