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Swollen stomach: Causes and Treatment

by Alivia Nyhan
Published: Last Updated on

The stomach is one of the most sensitive organs in our body. It can be easily affected by stress, tension, an improper diet, or excessive consumption of toxic substances such as alcohol or cigarettes. Because of this sensitivity in some people, it is precise that stomach bloating can be due to many causes. Many of them will require the attention of a gastroenterologist to guarantee our well-being. If your stomach feels very swollen and you wonder about the causes of this condition, in this FastlyHealarticle, we explain in detail the most common reasons why this symptom occurs.

Consumption of foods that promote stomach bloating

On many occasions, feeling very inflamed in the stomach does not necessarily have to do with some disease or pathology but with a wrong choice of food, which can cause this sensitive organ to become inflamed as digestion is complicated. Of certain ingredients.

Some foods increase the possibility of gas and flatulence, provide a high-fat content that makes digestion difficult, or are very heavy on the stomach due to the number of seasonings. Therefore, an excellent recommendation to prevent stomach inflammation is to moderate the intake of:

flatulent food

Some ingredients such as lentils, chickpeas, beans, lima beans, vegetables such as onion, garlic, broccoli, cabbage, chard, spinach, or certain seeds increase the presence of gas, which in addition to discomfort can cause stomach inflammation. Similarly, soft drinks and carbonated drinks can have the same effect.

High-fat foods

Excess fat notably hinders digestion, causing abdominal bloating. That is why it is recommended to moderate the consumption of fatty sausages such as chorizo, salami, bacon, or links, avoid high-fat meats and fried foods.

Difficult to digest foods

Due to a high fiber content or the increased presence of sugars such as fructose or lactose, certain foods are difficult to digest and cause multiple gastric discomforts. Some good examples are whole dairy products and their derivatives, which are intolerable for many adults who cannot digest lactose, cereals such as wheat, or fruits that are very high in fructose, such as plums, grapes, apricots, or watermelons.

Bad eating habits

To have an iron stomach, it is not enough to have genetics on our side or to eat the right foods, and it is also essential to have good habits when it comes to eating. And is that some customs may be responsible for abdominal distention, for example:

  • Eating very fast and not chewing well makes digestion very heavy on our stomach, which can inflame during the process.
  • Eating substantial portions of food copiously makes digestion difficult, so eating five meals a day in smaller quantities than three very abundant ones is recommended.
  • We talk a lot during the meal or accompany the food with drinks such as soft drinks, which causes more air and gas to enter our stomach.
  • Eating stressed and under tension undoubtedly affects our digestion.
  • Although it is not correctly a habit for eating, chewing gum can frequently cause abdominal distention as it increases the entry of air into the stomach, promoting gas.

Gastritis, a common cause

Gastritis is a condition in which the stomach lining becomes inflamed due to bacteria, ulcers, a lot of tension or stress, and the excessive intake of toxic substances, alcohol, or certain medications. The truth is that when it occurs, it is common to feel very inflamed in the stomach, which is why it is considered a common cause of this condition.

In our article gastritis: symptoms, causes, and treatment, we explain everything you need to know about this condition.

Intolerance of certain foods

Food intolerances are gastrointestinal condition that occurs with some frequency. It appears when our body is not able to digest a particular component of certain ingredients, which causes, in addition to stomach inflammation, symptoms such as:

  • Abdominal pain
  • Flatulence with an intense smell
  • Diarrhea and upset stomach

The ingredients that most frequently cause intolerance are lactose, present in dairy products, gluten present in cereals such as wheat, barley, or rye, or elements that are difficult to digest, such as corn or certain seeds. If you have noticed that stomach inflammation occurs with the intake of certain ingredients, it is best to keep a diary of what you eat and go to a gastroenterologist for a complete review.

Various intestinal conditions

Suppose your stomach feels very inflamed, and you have ruled out that this condition may be due to the abuse of certain foods, improper eating habits, or food intolerances. In that case, a gastroenterologist will likely decide to do a gastroscopy to rule out the presence of gastritis or ulcers and to be able to raise the possibility of other intestinal conditions that also cause these discomforts.

Some of the most common are:

To diagnose any of them, it will be necessary to consult a specialist.

In women, certain gynecological conditions.

Some gynecological pathologies can also make your stomach feel very bloated. These are:

  • In premenstrual syndrome, the inflammation is reduced with the arrival of the rule.
  • Cysts in the ovaries present signs such as changes in the menstrual cycle and an increase in the amount of fat in our hair or face.
  • Uterine fibroids are also changes in the menstrual cycle, pelvic pain or during intercourse, and an increased need to urinate.

In the case of having these signs, it is recommended to visit a gynecologist.

Stomach infection

If, in addition to a bloated stomach, you experience other symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and severe abdominal pain, it is likely a stomach infection caused by bacteria or viruses. In this case, it is recommended to go to a health care center.

Recommendations to avoid stomach inflammation

If you want to avoid stomach inflammation and have healthier digestions, then it is convenient to follow some recommendations that will help you achieve this:

  • Minimize the intake of all those foods that can increase flatulence or cause heavy digestion.
  • Avoid large meals as eating heavy foods in large quantities increases abdominal distention. Go for moderate portions and eat more times a day.
  • Eat slowly and in an environment suitable for it.
  • Do not drink liquids while eating—much fewer sodas or carbonated drinks, which can increase stomach inflammation.
  • Avoid chewing gum.
  • Exercise frequently. Physical activity helps improve intestinal transit and reduce stress which can cause poor digestion.
  • Visit a gastroenterologist if your stomach inflammation does not decrease with these recommendations.

This article is merely informative. At FastlyHeal .com, we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor if you present any condition or discomfort.

If you want to read more articles similar to My stomach feels very bloated: causes, we recommend that you enter our Digestive System category.

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