Bloating – Causes, Treatment & Prevention

Physicians understand a bloated stomach, also known as a gas stomach, to mean the condition of a bloated body, which is accompanied by numerous very unpleasant symptoms for those affected. In most cases, the entire well-being is impaired by the bloated stomach.

The bloating itself is not an independent disease, but a symptom that can have different harmless or more serious causes. The duration of the symptoms, depending on the cause, ranges from a few hours in the case of an acute occurrence to several days in the case of a chronic condition.

Causes

Bloating can be caused by a variety of reasons. In many cases, the reasons for the symptoms lie in one’s own eating habits. If you eat too much oil or don’t chew your food enough, you run the risk of suffering from bloating later on.It is often the food itself that causes the symptoms. Legumes, various types of cabbage and carbonated drinks in particular trigger a bloated stomach. People who are sensitive to lactose, for example, get the corresponding symptoms after consuming only small amounts of milk products.

Under certain circumstances, however, a disease such as an infection with intestinal parasites or inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract can also be responsible for the bloated stomach. Women who are pregnant or going through the menopause suffer relatively often from bloating. Severe or long-term stress can also cause the unpleasant symptoms, as can a lifestyle that is mainly sedentary and involves hardly any movement.

When to the doctor?

Normally, there is no need to see a doctor if you have a bloated stomach. If the symptoms occur for the first time, it can be assumed that they arose in connection with the food intake. In this case, the symptoms automatically decrease as digestion progresses. If there are no other symptoms such as pain, nausea or vomiting, there is no acute need for action.

If the bloating is present for a longer period of several days, the food intake should be checked and changed. If the bloating persists, a doctor should be consulted. Consultation with a doctor is also necessary if there are other symptoms in addition to the bloated stomach. These can be circulatory problems, stomach pain, weakness or nausea. In these cases, a heart attack can be the trigger and should be treated before it spreads or infects other people.

If the bloating occurs due to psychological stress such as stress, burnout, grief or after a breakup, a doctor should be consulted. In this case, psychological support is recommended in order to clarify or process the psychological stress. In most cases, the symptoms then reduce or disappear completely. A doctor should also be consulted if the bloating is also perceived as a burdensome impairment of the quality of life.

Diagnosis and course

A bloated stomach is usually expressed by a more or less strong feeling of pressure and fullness, which can affect the upper and lower abdomen equally. This can lead to a noise that causes bubbling or gurgling in the intestinal area. The stomach feels very hard and hurts. The symptoms of a bloated stomach usually last no longer than a few hours and then improve by themselves, with severe flatulence sometimes occurring. If the causes of bloating are not eliminated or if there is an actual illness, the symptoms can also occur more frequently and then last for several days and even become chronic.

In most cases, bloating is fairly easy to diagnose. If the symptoms are so severe that a doctor has to be consulted, the doctor can often determine whether it is a bloated stomach by means of a conversation and a manual examination. The physician exerts pressure on the abdomen with the fingers. It is also possible to listen to the abdomen. If the symptoms occur more frequently or more severely, it is advisable to carry out a general blood test and also examine the abdomen using ultrasound or X -rays . In this way, more serious diseases can be ruled out as the cause of the symptoms.

Complications

A bloated stomach makes most people feel very uncomfortable. They perceive pressure in the body and have inhibitions about reducing it unhindered due to social conventions. Unpleasant complications can occur, especially in public places or at work. If the bloating is connected to the woman’s menstrual period, abdominal pain usually also occurs. The mood can be irritable and dissatisfaction or impatience set in. A bloated stomach due to individual elements of the food intake is usually resolved in a few hours.

The more advanced the digestion, the fewer the symptoms that occur. However, digestion can be closely linked to the sounds of the gastrointestinal tract. Severe flatulence sets in. If there is the possibility of letting the flatulence take place unhindered, those affected often experience a feeling of relief. The social environment usually perceives this as highly annoying. A lack of consideration can therefore lead to conflicts and quarrels.

If the bloating persists for several days, the risk of it becoming chronic increases. In addition, pain sets in in many cases. A light massage of the gastrointestinal tract can relieve pain. If this is not enough, taking painkillers is recommended. These can lead to further complications such as headaches , vomiting or nausea.

Treatment and therapy

Basically, a bloated stomach does not always have to be treated by a doctor. If the symptoms occur only rarely and in a weak form, it is often sufficient to use well-tolerated home remedies. These include, for example, teas made from caraway, anise , fennel or lemon balm . These should be drunk several times in acute symptoms.It can also be used as a preventive measure if the person concerned has a sensitive gastrointestinal tract. Additional light abdominal massage can help relieve discomfort and facilitate excess gas evacuation.

Heat also supports this process. If bloating occurs more frequently or is associated with severe pain, it is advisable to consult a doctor. He can clarify whether a more serious underlying disease is responsible for the symptoms and, if necessary, initiate appropriate therapy.

If it turns out that the lifestyle and/or eating habits of the person concerned are causing the bloating, a change in diet can also be worked out together with the doctor, which will then lead to a reduction in the symptoms. This also applies if there is an intolerance to lactose ( lactose intolerance ) or gluten ( gluten intolerance ).

Outlook and prognosis

As a rule, a bloated stomach is easily curable. Bloating is often the result of improper food intake. The symptoms subside as the digestion progresses. If there are no other symptoms such as pain, nausea or vomiting, the prospect of a reduction in bloating can be seen.

If a bloated stomach continues to be felt over a longer period of time, those affected should control their food intake and change it if necessary. A doctor should be contacted if other symptoms appear in addition to the bloating. These include circulatory problems, stomach pain and weakness as well as nausea. A heart attack can be the cause here, rapid treatment by the doctor ensures a positive outlook and the doctor can make a concrete prognosis after precise examinations.

A bloated stomach can also occur when those affected suffer from psychological stress such as stress, burnout or grief. If the strain is overcome, the bloated stomach will most likely go back. If it is a mental disorder that cannot be overcome alone, therapy must be initiated. The process can take a few months or years.

Prevention

In many cases, a bloated stomach can be prevented by a conscious diet. Avoiding foods that cause gas, such as cabbage or legumes, can help increase well-being, as can regular exercise, which aids digestion. If there is hypersensitivity to certain food components, these should be avoided in order to prevent the symptoms from occurring. If necessary, a doctor should be consulted to clarify the exact causes of the bloating.