The abdominal inflammation , despite being a disorder that can occur in both men and women, is much more common in women, especially enhanced by hormonal changes experienced in the menstrual cycle. But this would only explain why we feel inflamed for a few days a month, however it is not the cause of frequent swelling. This type of discomfort can be caused by bad eating habits, gastrointestinal problems and even by certain gynecological conditions. If you feel very bloated and want to know the causes and solutions to this problem, at FastlyHealwe explain them in detail.
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premenstrual syndrome
Premenstrual syndrome is that period that occurs once the fertile days are over and until the arrival of the rule. During this stage, our body manifests a series of hormonal changes characterized by the increase in estrogens, additionally some women have a deficit in the production of prostaglandins, which gives rise to a series of annoying symptoms that characterize PMS.
Abdominal bloating, fluid retention, increased appetite and gas, and emotional changes are some of the main signs of this condition that can be fought with some changes in our diet and daily habits. If you have noticed that you feel more bloated even 11 days before your period comes, it is very likely that the cause is PMS.
But what to do in this condition? In our article premenstrual syndrome: duration, causes and treatment we give you the keys to prevent these discomforts from affecting your day to day.
Fluid retention
Fluid retention is a common problem, especially in women, being one of the main causes why you can feel very bloated. This condition occurs when our body, instead of eliminating fluid through urine and sweating, accumulates it in areas of our body such as the abdomen, feet, legs or hands, making us feel much more swollen and heavy than usual. normal .
This condition occurs in women who do not drink the recommended daily amount of fluid of at least 2 liters, who have a diet rich in salt or sugar, who have circulatory problems and who also lead a sedentary life. Other conditions such as pregnancy, menopause, kidney or heart problems can also promote fluid retention.
To combat this problem, it is important to eat a good amount of liquid a day, eat a healthy and balanced diet, consuming fruits and vegetables and ingesting salt in moderate amounts, exercising frequently and at least 3 times a week, and avoiding clothing. tight clothing that can increase the problem.
A bad diet and improper eating habits
But not necessarily the reasons why you feel more bloated have to do with any particular condition, the foods you choose and the way you eat may also be causing this problem. The accumulation of intestinal gases that cause abdominal inflammation and heaviness, is caused by an inadequate diet and by eating habits that give rise to this problem.
Some of the reasons why your abdomen may be swollen are:
- Eat a diet rich in foods that increase gas such as legumes, artichokes, mushrooms, fried foods, cabbage, broccoli, carbonated drinks, sweets, and whole milk.
- Eating too fast, which increases the presence of air in the stomach causing inflammation.
- Not chewing food properly, this makes digestion much heavier, increasing inflammation.
- Chewing gum frequently and for long periods, which also increases the presence of stomach gas by allowing air to enter the stomach.
To solve this problem it is important to balance our diet and reduce the presence of foods that increase gas. It is also important to eat slowly and slowly, chewing food well and without accompanying food with carbonated drinks, avoid chewing gum or eating sweets, as well as exercising frequently to guarantee our gastric well-being.
Constipation
Constipation occurs when bowel movements do not occur with the expected frequency or when they are too hard, causing discomfort in the patient. If you go to the bathroom three times or less a week or if the frequency is greater but when doing so you must invest a great effort because the stools are excessively hard, causing discomfort and pain, then we are facing a case of constipation.
The lack of regular movement in the intestine is caused in most cases by three triggers:
- A poor intake of fiber.
- A very sedentary life.
- Low water consumption.
Increasing your fiber intake through cereals, pasta and whole grain breads, fruits, vegetables and legumes will help you significantly improve your intestinal transit. It is also important to exercise frequently several times a week and hydrate adequately to ensure a good bowel movement. Also detect those ingredients that enhance constipation and those that relieve it is essential, so we invite you to read our articles on foods that cause constipation and home remedies for constipation , which will undoubtedly help you.
Irritable bowel syndrome
Also known as irritable bowel , it is a chronic condition in which there are changes in the intestinal rhythm characterized by periods of diarrhea, constipation, abdominal inflammation, gas and various gastric discomfort. Although there is no specific cause for this condition, it is known that high levels of stress and emotional tension can trigger it, as they manage to alter the proper functioning of the intestines, causing them to compress or contract.
In our article irritable bowel: causes, symptoms and treatment , we offer you all the necessary information about this condition. Reducing stress, increasing fiber intake and following the appropriate medical and dietary recommendations are the best solution to overcome this condition, so visiting a gastroenterologist if you suspect its presence is essential.
Food intolerances
Gluten intolerance or celiac disease , lactose or fructose intolerance, as well as various gastrointestinal problems derived from poor digestion or poor tolerance to certain foods, can be the cause of abdominal inflammation .
Although a food intolerance must be detected by a gastroenterologist, we can help the specialist, to achieve this it is recommended to keep a food diary that allows us to detect in which cases we feel the discomfort and if they are linked to a specific food or food group. If you suspect that this is the problem, then don’t hesitate to consult your doctor.
Certain gynecological problems
Sometimes the reasons why we feel very bloated are not related to gastric conditions or fluid retention problems, but rather to gynecological pathologies .
Polycystic ovaries or uterine fibroids are conditions that can cause discomfort and inflammation. These are accompanied by symptoms such as irregular menstrual periods, painful periods, pressure in the abdomen area and in some cases painful intercourse. Given this picture, the recommendation is to visit a gynecologist to detect any pathology that may be causing these discomfort.
See a doctor for a diagnosis
Generally speaking, whenever we feel too swollen for no apparent reason, it is advisable to visit a doctor. However, it is true that some changes in our diet and habits can end the problem, so we can put into practice the recommendations given in this article to see if we present an improvement.
If not, then a visit to the gastroenterologist or gynecologist, as the case may be, can be of great help. Additionally, we must go to an emergency specialist if:
- The swelling presents with symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, or fever.
- The abdomen feels tender to the touch.
- It is not possible to eat or drink.
- Inability to evacuate for several hours accompanied by foul gases.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
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I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.