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.
The two most common causes within this category are small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) and intolerance to carbohydrates and other food groups.
Bloating typically goes away within 24 hours, but if you're looking for immediate relief, Michael D. Brown, MD, a gastroenterologist at Rush University Medical Group, recommends trying simethicone, an over-the-counter medication that is available under brands like Gas-X and Equate.
In most cases, feeling bloated after pooping can be caused by what we have eaten; for example, dairy or high-fibre foods may cause you to feel puffy afterwards. Another possible culprit is gas that hasn't been released during your bathroom session.
Although a bloated stomach is a common symptom that is not harmless, it can actually be a sign of something serious. A bloated stomach that lasts longer than 2 weeks after taking medications, weight loss, pale skin, loss of appetite and yellowing of the skin can be warning signs of cancer.
Certain nutrient deficiencies can contribute to digestive upset and bloating. The most common nutrient deficiencies that are linked to bloating are zinc, magnesium, molybdenum and thiamin.
Bloating may occasionally add a pound or two, but it doesn't actually signify weight gain. A simple way to tell the difference between bloating and weight gain or fat is how your stomach looks and feels. If your stomach is tight and hard, then bloating is the cause. If your stomach is soft and thick, then that's fat.
Bloating that continues for days or weeks may indicate a health issue that needs medical attention. It is advisable to speak to a doctor about ongoing bloating that does not go away over time. People whose bloating occurs alongside these symptoms should seek medical advice: appetite changes or trouble eating.
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.
That familiar abdominal discomfort and gassy feeling is often just a natural part of the body's digestive process. But if it never seems to go away it might be chronic bloating. Chronic bloating can be caused by many things including various foods lifestyle decisions and even diseases.
Probiotics may alleviate bloating in many ways. They may aid in the restoration of the balance of good and harmful bacteria in the stomach, hence reducing gas production and inflammation. Probiotics may also aid in the digestion of meals, which can assist in alleviating bloating.
If you don't have those conditions but have bloating that persists for months, you may have something called functional bloating, or bloating with no identifiable cause. Conditions like irritable bowel syndrome or chronic idiopathic constipation fall into this category.
Bloating is actually a very common symptom of anxiety, especially for those with anxiety attacks. What's interesting is that many different issues can cause bloating including, but not limited to: Hyperventilation The main reason that anxiety leads to bloating is the result of hyperventilation.
“While it may seem counterintuitive, drinking water may help to reduce bloat by ridding the body of excess sodium,” Fullenweider says. You may find that drinking water before a meal can help reduce bloat, and this step may also confer the double benefit of reducing the tendency to overeat.
One easy way to tell the difference between bloating and belly fat is that, with bloating, only the stomach expands due to the excess gas accumulation. You will likely notice other bulges with excess fat, particularly on the abdomen, thighs, hips, and back.
Upper abdominal bloating may be related to slow movement of the intestine called gastroparesis, swallowing air while eating, an infection, or overeating. Lower abdominal bloating can be from constipation, IBS, gas caused by food intolerance, or fluid retention.
While having too much estrogen can lead to bloating, having too little estrogen can also contribute to abdominal discomfort. That's because estrogen also has an effect on the production of bile – when estrogen levels are low, bile production decreases. Bile is fluid produced by the liver that aids in digestion.
IBS and Vitamin D deficiency
Symptoms include a combination of diarrhoea or constipation, bloating, urgency (the need to use a restroom in a hurry), white or yellow mucus in the stool and the sensation of incompletely passing stools.
“When it's accompanied by red-flag symptoms—vomiting, blood in stool, unexplained weight loss, yellowing of eyes or skin—those are signs of a more urgent and serious disorder,” she says. Liver disease or an obstruction of the GI tract can cause bloating accompanied by some of these red-flag symptoms.