Abdominal Bloating

One of the most common complaints that most patients present with is stomach bloating. It can be quite a discomforting and painful condition to deal with, and occurs when there is any deviation from digestive health.

Furthermore, diagnosing the exact cause of it is not easy as the signs and symptoms that patients present with are very typical, and are common to a lot of digestive disorders. However, after running a few tests, it is possible to diagnose and treat the root cause of the problem.

One of the most common causes of abdominal bloating is indigestion or intake of an improper and unhealthy diet. Indigestion is often caused due to overeating, or binging on certain food stuffs.

A diet that is high in foods such as vegetables like potatoes, beans, carrots, cabbage, certain fruits like apples, plums, peaches, and fiber-rich foods cause bloating. Excessive intake of carbonated drinks, alcohol also leads to gas and bloating of the abdomen.

One of the lactose intolerance symptoms is excessive bloating after intake of milk and dairy products.

Irritable bowel syndrome, or spastic colon, is a condition where the intestine undergoes spasms, which often results in lower-abdominal cramps, diarrhea, and improper and incomplete digestion of food. All of this often results in a bloating after eating.

An obvious yet often ignored cause is aerophagia, that is, ingestion of air. While speaking or eating, if we ingest too much of air, it leads to excessive belching, along with a stomach bloating after eating.

Helicobacter pylori infection causes abdominal pain similar to gastritis. This is also one of the common causes of stomach bloating in women.

Constipation and diarrhea both can lead to pain and bloating of the stomach in children and adults because of improper digestion of food.

• Abdominal pain and cramping
• Nausea
• Indigestion
• Excessive gas production and flatulence
• Abdominal swelling
• Tightness of the abdomen and guarding
• Pain and tenderness on palpation
• Constipation or diarrhea

Following are a few remedies that might help alleviate the symptoms:

• Increase your intake of fluids as this will aid in digestion and prevent the occurrence of bloating.
• Avoid foods that cause gas. Consume foods that aid in digestion, like yogurt. Additionally, eat your food slowly, without gulping it down hurriedly to prevent the chances of aerophagia.

• Exercise Regularly.
• Follow a healthy diet to ensure that you meet your daily requirements of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. Also, ensure that your intake of vitamins and minerals is up to the mark.

Despite following these remedies, the exact treatment will depend on the underlying factors though the aforementioned remedies can help considerably reduce the severity of the symptoms. However, it is imperative that the disease causing the abdominal bloating is diagnosed as it maybe a serious condition, like Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis.

The diagnosis can be done using blood tests, urine tests, MRI scans, etc. However, the best way to prevent the pain and discomfort associated with this condition is to follow a healthy lifestyle supplemented by a proper diet and regular exercising.

Disclaimer: This story is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.