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Read time: 6 min
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Posted on:
Read time: 6 min
Posted on:
Stomach inflation refers to a bulge in your belly. While many may attribute stomach bulging to weight gain or excess fat, there could be several alternative causes. This article will discuss the potential reasons you are experiencing stomach inflation and how to resolve it.
You may be experiencing stomach inflation for numerous reasons, including hormones, bloating, weight gain, and more. Here, we will discuss these causes and why they occur.
GI abnormalities can cause you to feel bloated. Bloating refers to the sensation you feel when your stomach feels tight and full, often protruding your belly. Bloating can be caused by several different conditions, including:
If your body has trouble digesting a particular food, you may experience stomach inflation. Food intolerances and food allergies can cause increased production of gas in the GI tract. Additionally, gas can become trapped in the GI tract. Gas buildup commonly occurs with sensitivities to foods such as gluten or wheat.
Stomach inflation can occur due to hormone changes in your body. In women specifically, estrogen levels can contribute to bloating. Estrogen causes your body to retain water. Therefore, when your estrogen spikes during your menstrual cycle, you are more likely to experience bloat.
Additionally, estrogen and progesterone affect the motility in your intestine, indirectly causing gas. Likewise, up to 75 percent of women experience bloating before and during their period. Bloating is also a common symptom of perimenopause, which is the time leading up to menopause.
Weight gain is one of the most obvious causes of a swollen stomach. The weight you have gained within the past year will most likely go to your stomach, which can manifest as a bloated belly. Additionally, weight gain can cause water retention, causing you to feel bloated.
Several over-the-counter and prescription medications can cause belly inflation. Common examples of such medicines that do this include:
In severe cases, constant bloating and swelling in your stomach can be a sign of cancer. Belly inflation with no apparent cause can sometimes be attributed to ovarian cancer, specifically.
Increasing your physical activity levels and changing your eating habits can help to reduce stomach inflation. Carbonated drinks, caffeine, and alcohol can contribute to bloating. Additionally, certain foods can cause gas, such as beans or cabbage.
Eliminating these from your diet or reducing your intake can help relieve inflation in your stomach. Additionally, removing foods you are sensitive to or allergic to can relieve bloating. In addition, high-fiber foods can improve constipation symptoms. Drinking plenty of water can also help.
Along with diet, routinely working out can better your digestion, thus preventing bloating. Additionally, exercise can relieve bloating. Consider working out regularly to avoid stomach inflation.
If your bloating is related to food sensitivities or allergies, you can keep a food diary to track your diet and symptoms. A journal can help you understand correlations between what you eat and when you experience bloating. When you identify food triggers, you can eliminate them from your diet or reduce your intake.
Depending on what is causing your bloating, you may be able to treat stomach inflation with medication. For example, if your belly is swelling due to constipation, you can take a laxative to treat the underlying cause of constipation. If you have stomach inflation due to gas, taking an over-the-counter medicine such as Gas-X can relieve your symptoms.
While most bloating is not serious, certain signs and symptoms indicate something may be wrong. See your doctor if your swollen stomach:
Seeing an online doctor allows you to get medical advice instantly from the comfort of your own home. DrHouse has several providers on-call who are available for virtual online doctor visits within 15 minutes.
An inflated stomach usually does not indicate something serious, but it can be an uncomfortable feeling. Key points to remember about bloating include:
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Always consult with your physician or other qualified health providers about medical concerns. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it based on what you read on this website.
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