So you think you’re bloated….well we’ll just see about that.

We’ve all experienced uncomfortable abdominal pains. Of course, it always happens at the worst time possible like when you’re getting ready to go out with friends and those cool jeans you bought don’t want to fit. Before you throw your jeans back in the closet, let’s discuss why this happens.

I used to think that the above situation was bloating. However, I’ve discovered that the physical appearance of a larger abdomen is actually distension, not bloating. You know that you have abdominal distension if you can’t fit into clothes or if you look down at your tummy and notice that it’s bigger than normal. Reasons for abdominal distension include an increase in air, fluid or tissue within the abdomen. In order to be distended, your abdomen must enlarge in size by one quart.

On the other hand, bloating is the feeling that the abdominal area is full and tight. This sensation can lead to abdominal discomfort. Bloating can have several causes and it’s important to find out the cause in order to determine a course of action.

Types of Abdominal Distension

Continuous abdominal distension—occurs when the abdomen swells for an extensive amount of time and can be caused by the following:
• An enlarged organ within the abdomen
• A tumor in the abdomen
• Excess fluid around the abdominal organs (ascites)
• Obesity

Intermittent abdominal distension—due to an occasional increase of gas or fluid in the stomach, small intestine or large intestine.

Causes of Intermittent Abdominal Distension

• Excess gas—this is a common cause of abdominal distension. Bacteria produce too much gas either because of 1) poor digestion and absorption of food in the small intestine (leaving undigested food in the large intestine) allowing bacteria to make more gas, 2) individual gas production varies from one person to the next, and 3) an overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine.
• Physical obstruction—a blockage may occur in the digestive tract (this happens anywhere from the stomach to the rectum). This type of obstruction can occur due to constipation or other abdominal complications (post-surgery, diseases, disorders).
• Functional obstruction—there is no physical blockage here, but rather improper functioning of stomach or intestinal muscles to move food through the intestines.
• Sensitivity (intestinal hypersensitivity)—some people are very sensitive to abdominal distension even when eating a normal diet.

Causes of Bloating

• Fatty foods—these can increase the feeling of fullness and hold up the digestive process.
• Stress or anxiety
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• An infection or blockage of the gastrointestinal tract
• Conditions such as celiac disease, lactose intolerance or other types of food intolerance may cause issues with food absorption and thereby result in bloating.

Home remedies for Bloating / Distension

If the cause of your bloating / distension is constipation, try the following:
• Drink plenty of water
• Eat fruit to help loosen the stool
• Exercise regularly
• Consume fiber

If the cause of your bloating / distension is gas, try the following:
• Lie down on your left side, which will help to get the gas moving
• Carbonated water can help to encourage belching
• Chew celery seeds
• Drinking chamomile tea or other teas such as ginger tea, peppermint tea and fennel tea
• Other teas includes fennel, ginger and peppermint

Other tips:
• Chew your food thoroughly
• Do not skip meals
• Try to identify the foods that bother you. For most people it’s important to avoid:
o Beans, corn, nuts, onions, garlic, cabbage, broccoli and dairy (a majority of people are lactose intolerant)
• Try to stay away from fried and fatty foods
• Avoid caffeine which may overexcite the digestive system.
• Women often suffer from premenstrual bloating. This can be remedies with exercise, fluids and a high-fiber diet. However, abdominal bloating in woman can also result from gynecological problems. So it’s important to check with your doctor.

—Nolan

Do you have any remedies for bloating? Comment and tell us!

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