When recovering from major surgery, you are simply not able to move around as much as you regularly would. This decrease is mobility can lead to fluid retention and increase your swelling and bloating symptoms.
Temporary bloating is a common occurrence and typically does not last for more than a few days. It is usually not a cause for concern. Bloating is a side effect of a surgical procedure that can sometimes happen due to anesthesia, extra fluid retention, or damage to the lymphatic system.
After a spinal cord injury, people may not be able to feel when their bladder or bowel need to be emptied. Additionally, due to lack of muscle control, they may experience difficulties eliminating the waste. This may cause constipation which keeps the waste in the large intestine, and results in bloating.
An understanding of relevant risk factors is important in minimizing morbidity and mortality. Although abdominal complications are uncommon in spine surgery, they have been reported to occur in patients with anterior spinal fusion.
The vagus nerve is responsible for managing our intestinal activity as well as managing the sphincter muscles in the gastrointestinal tract.
T6. The middle most vertebrae can affect the stomach and the mid back area.
A wide range of back injuries, ranging from minor muscle sprains and strains to more serious injuries such as herniated discs, can cause back pain. Sometimes the pain from a herniated disc radiates to other areas of the body, including the abdomen, and can create unusual sensations, such as bloating.
Damage to the nerves of your digestive system can cause symptoms such as the following: bloating, fullness, and nausea. constipation. diarrhea, especially at night.
Issues in the lower spine and sacrum can lead to symptoms like constipation, diarrhea, bloating, gas, or bladder malfunction. This occurs because the lower spine includes sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves that connect directly to the digestive system, so interference directly affects these processes.
The truth of the matter is that symptoms such as swelling, stomach discomfort and distention are very common after surgery. The good news is that these sensations are only temporary. Phew! Post-operative bloating and swelling usually peaks 48 hours after surgery, but will mostly subside by the 12-week mark.
Your lymphatic system has been impacted
One of the main reasons swelling occurs in the body is that the lymphatic system has been disrupted during surgery. I always remind my patients that swelling is an important part of the recovery process and is essential for healing!
Edema after surgery is normal, but it should go away within a few days or a week. You can talk to your physician about managing edema after surgery, including exercises you can do at home. If you notice discharge, increased swelling, or other worsening edema symptoms after surgery, you should see a doctor.
Pain is normal in the weeks following back surgery, as tissues heal, nerves regain normal function, and inflammation decreases. However, some people may have pain beyond the three to six month period that is considered a normal healing time.
If your bloating is accompanied by abdominal pain, cramps, dizziness, nausea or vomiting, then it might be a serious problem.
Common symptoms of bloating include stomach pain, discomfort, and gas. You may also burp or belch frequently or have abdominal rumbling or gurgling. If you have any of the following symptoms along with severe bloating, call your doctor: Blood in your stool.
Vagus nerve conditions cause different symptoms depending on the specific cause and affected part of your nerve. You may experience: Abdominal pain and bloating. Acid reflux (gastroesophageal reflux disease, GERD).
The symptoms of L4-L5 nerve damage are typically chronic lower back pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness that radiate to the legs and feet. Spinal nerve damage can be severe.
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.
A slipped disc is one of the most common causes of a pinched nerve. An L4-L5 disc bulge or slip-disc (slipped disc) pinches and leads to serious health issues, including impotence, reproduction issues, infertility, loss of bowel and bladder control, or paralysis in one or both legs.
Nonetheless, another study noted that L5/S1 herniation can lead to "bowel dysfunction."
The nerves in your thoracic spine go to your chest and abdomen. The nerves of the lumbar spine then reach to your legs, bowel, and bladder.
Umbilicus. The umbilicus lies at the vertebral level between the L3 and L4 vertebrae. However, the skin around the umbilicus is supplied by the thoracic spinal nerve T10 (T10 dermatome) A helpful mnemonic is “T10 for belly but-ten”.
Serious back problems, such as those associated with herniated discs, can result in pain that expands from the lower back to other areas of the body. This can include pressure and feelings of bloat in the stomach area.