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A symptom generally associated with functional gastrointestinal disorders or organic diseases, but can also appear alone..
The most common symptom associated with bloating is a sensation that the abdomen is full or distended.
It may be be painful or cause shortness of breath.
Pains may feel sharp and cause the stomach to cramp.
Hiccups help to release gas that is in the digestive tract before it moves down to the intestines and cause bloating.
Uncommon causes of abdominal bloating include ascites and tumors.
Causes of bloating, include: diet, irritable bowel syndrome, lactose intolerance, reflux, constipation, overeating, gastric distension, lactose intolerance, fructose intolerance and other food intolerances, premenstrual syndrome, food allergy, air swallowing, Irritable bowel syndrome, Celiac disease, Non-celiac gluten sensitivity, partial bowel obstruction, gastric dumping syndrome, has-producing foods, constipation, splenic-flexure syndrome, menstruation, dysmenorrhea, Polycystic ovary syndrome and ovarian cysts, bloating of unknown or psychogenic origin without excess of gas in the digestive tract, infestation with intestinal parasites, diverticulosis, medications, salivary hypersecretion dehydration, and ovarian cancer.
All of these conditions share the same symptoms and can share the same causative agents.
Causes: include unhealthy diet, smoking, alcohol consumption, low amount of exercise, and overall health.
Uncommon causes include: intra-abdominal tumors, Megacolon, Crohn’s disease and bowel obstruction.
Improper diet is the cause of most cases of abdominal bloating.
Gas the source of abdominal bloating is caused by the bacteria in the colon and is a by-product of soluble fiber digestion.
The inadequate intake of fiber and water will cause bloating or constipation.
Gas in the gastrointestinal tract has only two sources:It is swallowed air or it is produced by bacteria that normally inhabit the intestines, primarily the colon.
Belching or burping works by removing gas from the stomach through the mouth.
When too much air is swallowed during eating and drinking too quickly the stomach can become bloated.
Flatulence helps the body pass gas through the anus, not the mouth.
Bacteria present in the intestinal tract cause gas to be expelled from the anus.
Bacteria produce the gas as food is digested and moved from the small intestine.
As gas builds up and causes swelling or bloating in the abdominal area.
Constipation causes bloating, that is in most cases temporary, and lifestyle changes, such as getting more exercise and increasing intake of fiber, can alleviate constipation.
Gastroesophageal reflux symptoms include burping, abdominal and stomach bloating, along with pain and discomfort.
The stomach bloating experienced with reflux is intense and will remain until the food is digested all the way.
Postmortem bloating occurs in cadavers, due to the formation of gases by bacterial putrefaction of the tissues of the abdomen and the intestines.
The most common over-the-counter treatment is antacids, which have no effect on the gas that is presently in the intestines, but enable gas build-up to be belched away more easily, reducing the amount of bloating that develops.
Simethicone, is an oral anti-foaming agent that helps to expel gas more quickly.
Also combinations of prokinetics, such as domperidone + metoclopramide + diphenhydramine+ proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), have dramatic effects on bloaters and belchers especially.
Walking, and exercising releases hormones that work to encourage activity in the bowels.
Foods like bubble gum or gas-containing beverages and smoking also cause a build-up of air, and should be avoided.