Bloated belly is caused by a number of factors such as constipation, food allergies and intolerance and digestive problems like the irritable bowel syndrome. Read on to know more about the bloated belly causes and treatment measures.
There are many men and women who constantly complain of a bloated belly. Most of them mistake it for a "beer belly" or a pregnancy swelling. However, those are not the only causes of swollen, distended stomach and the feeling of fullness that is associated with a bloated belly. Here are a list of some of the common bloated stomach causes and ways to reduce it.
Bloated Belly Causes
Food Allergies: Reactions to certain foods, also known as food allergies can cause your stomach to bloat up. For example, an increase in the fiber intake caused by the intake of vegetables, fruits and beans can result in a bloated belly after eating. People who are lactose intolerant will have bloated stomach when they consume too much of the dairy products. Other food poisoning or toxic reactions in the body can trigger off certain abnormal symptoms in the body. The best way to avoid the stomach bloating caused by food allergies is to avoid the allergens from the diet and gradually introducing them in the diet. Too much of fast foods, aerated drinks and salt in the diet can trigger off the bloated belly. More on bloating after eating.
Constipation: Difficulty in the bowel movements and hard feces are common symptoms of constipation. This is because of the water absorption by the colon which can make it difficult for you to defecate. This results in stomach swelling and a bloated belly. An improper diet, aging, pregnancy and underlying medical problems like the irritable bowel syndrome can trigger off the constipation. Laxatives and a change in the diet can help cure the constipation related bloating of the belly.
Obesity: Easily, the most common cause of a bloated belly is obesity, a condition where a person is 20% over the desirable weight. The excess accumulated fat around the stomach and other parts of your body not only lead to increased weight and BMI (Body Mass Index), but also cause a number of health problems as well. The genetic makeup of a person, overeating, eating high-fat foods and not being physically active are some of the common causes of this problem that plagues millions of Americans. The best way to treat the problem is by diet changes, exercise and maintaining a low calories diet.
Increase of Gas: People eliminate gas containing carbon dioxide, oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, and sometimes methane by burping or passing it through the rectum. However, with the accumulation of gas caused by excess of swallowed air, undigested food and intake of certain foods there is a significant bloating of the belly. This bloated belly symptoms are accompanied by abdominal pain and discomfort.
Some other causes of bloated belly include bloated belly in early pregnancy, Candida yeast infection, irritable bowel syndrome, eating too fast, slow metabolism and menopause in women. Read more on abdominal bloating causes.
How to Treat Bloated Belly
While treating the underlying causes can help reduce bloated belly, there are many home remedies to treat stomach flatulence and swelling. These include:
- Drinking plenty of water is an essential step towards avoiding a bloated stomach, as the dehydration can often lead to water retention and bloating.
- Exercise regularly, especially if you are overweight.
- Watch what you eat. Eliminate carbonated drinks and alcohol from your diet and eat smaller portions of vegetables, fruits, beans and proteins. Do not stop the intake of the fiber rich foods suddenly but gradually cut it down.
- Eat slowly and allow the food to be digested. This will also eliminate the possibility of swallowing a lot of air while eating.
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