See a GP if: you've been feeling bloated for 3 weeks or more. you feel bloated regularly (more than 12 times a month) you've tried changing your diet but keep feeling bloated. you have a swelling or lump in your tummy.
As long as your symptoms eventually go away, they probably aren't serious. But if your bloated stomach doesn't go away or gets worse, or if you have other symptoms of serious illness, such as fever or vomiting, you should seek medical attention to rule out other medical causes.
You should see a doctor if you have gas and bloating along with any of these symptoms: Blood or mucus in your stool. Changing your eating habits didn't help. Chronic or frequent diarrhea, constipation, or vomiting.
Ongoing bloating is not normal and may have many causes, so you should call your doctor if you feel bloating every day. Bloating is a chronic and bothersome condition for a large minority of the population. Anywhere from an estimated 16% to 31% of us have bloating and distension.
Bloating happens when the GI tract becomes filled with air or gas. This can be caused by something as simple as the food you eat. Some foods produce more gas than others. It can also be caused by lactose intolerance (problems with dairy).
The list of organic disorders that can cause bloating and distension also includes celiac disease, pancreatic insufficiency, prior gastroesophageal surgery (such as fundoplication or bariatric procedures), gastric outlet obstruction, gastroparesis, ascites, gastrointestinal or gynecologic malignancy, hypothyroidism, ...
See a GP if:
you've been feeling bloated for 3 weeks or more. you feel bloated regularly (more than 12 times a month) you've tried changing your diet but keep feeling bloated. you have a swelling or lump in your tummy.
Bloating after eating is usually not a cause for concern, and a person can often avoid it by following some simple practices, such as not eating too much fiber, avoiding carbonated drinks, and eating and drinking more slowly.
Typically, if someone is feels bloated, it is because of their food or water intake, but even if you haven't eaten too much, you may have eaten the wrong thing. Certain food intolerances or sensitives to spicy or acidic foods can cause the gastrointestinal (GI) tract to have a more difficult time than usual.
What counts as persistent bloating? Persistent bloating doesn't necessarily mean that you always feel bloated, in fact your bloating can come and go. Persistent bloating means that you feel bloated regularly, for example more than 12 times a month.
Many people who experience endo belly say they “look pregnant,” even though they're not. Endo belly is just one symptom of endometriosis. Those who experience endo belly often have other gastrointestinal symptoms, such as: gas pain.
In some people, stress slows down digestion, causing bloating, pain and constipation, while in others it speeds it up, causing diarrhoea and frequent trips to the loo. Some people lose their appetite completely. Stress can also worsen digestive conditions like stomach ulcers and irritable bowel syndrome.
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.
“Dietary intolerances are the most common cause of bloating, especially dairy and gluten — found in wheat, rye and barley,” explains Dr. Smith. However, you can be intolerant to pretty much anything you consume.
Your body needs water – a lot of it. Dehydration leads to constipation, which leads to bloating. And while it may seem counterintuitive to drink more water, when your body gets the hydration it finally needs, it lets go of the liquid it doesn't. Be sure to drink at least eight, eight-ounce glasses a day.
Coffee does cause bloating. It's temporary and doesn't happen to everyone, but for some, that belly bloat results from coffee, and more specifically, caffeine. When you consume caffeine, it may stimulate your gut and lead to spasms that cause bloating.
The most common causes are trapped gas or eating too much in a short time. The sensation of bloating can cause abdominal distention, which is a visible swelling or extension of your belly.
Stress belly is the extra abdominal fat that accumulates as the result of chronic or prolonged stress. Although stress belly is not a medical diagnosis, it is a term used to describe the way that stress and stress hormones impact your midsection.
Endometriosis does not just cause basic bloating. Your abdomen becomes so distended that you double over in pain and feel like something is stabbing you in the stomach. Someone I spoke to likened the pain to labor, or a wire hanger scraping her insides.
Some people have a bloated stomach for a long period of time due to gastrointestinal tract disease, including gastritis, gastric ulcer, gastrointestinal or colorectal cancer, parasitic infection, irritable bowel syndrome, intestinal dysfunction, and other system disorders such as thyroid and diabetes, which can ...
Chronic bloating caused by fluid retention could have a more serious cause, such as liver or kidney failure or diabetes. If the bloating does not go away, a person should speak with a doctor.
Diagnosing bowel endometriosis typically begins with an overall physical exam, including a manual check for growths in the vagina or rectum. It also frequently requires one or more imaging tests, including ultrasound, MRI, colonoscopy, laparoscopy, or barium enema.
What it is: “Simply put, it's a separation of your abdominal wall muscles. You'll be able to physically feel that there's a separation or a weakness of your muscles in the abdominal wall, which will cause bulging” that may give you a “pregnant” look, says Singh.