Bloating

Abdominal bloating is a condition in which the abdomen feels
full and tight.
 

Bloating is a feeling of fullness in the abdomen that is often
associated with some distension and tightness in the abdominal
area. This feeling can be quite uncomfortable. If Bloating is the
result of excessive intestinal gas the symptoms of burping and
flatulence or wind may also be experienced.

CAUSE
Intestinal Gas – is the most common reason for Bloating.
Swallowing air, poor digestion, irritable bowel disease (IBS), food
allergies, lactose intolerance and constipation are common reasons
why the body produces excessive amounts of intestinal gas. Bloating
can be related to eating habits and diet. See the Diet Hints
section in this topic. A person with IBS may find that their
stomach is flat on awakening but distends progressively throughout
the day. For others the bloating can occur within minutes and can
be aggravated by eating. 

 

Fluid Retention – can also be responsible for Bloating in
women. Irregular ovarian function that occurs during menopause and
fluctuating oestrogen levels that occur in premenstrual and
menopausal women may cause abdominal fluid retention and Bloating.
Women can retain up 20ml of fluid in the abdominal cavity in the
days prior to menstruation. Fluid can also accumulate in the
abdominal area of both men and women in some cases of heart failure
and liver cirrhosis. This type of fluid retention is called
‘ascites’.
 

Other causes – of abdominal Bloating include pregnancy,
weakened abdominal muscles caused by pregnancy, abdominal surgery
or obesity.
 

Medical Conditions that can cause Bloating include; bowel
obstructions, cirrhosis of the liver, colon or rectal cancer,
Crohn’s disease, IBS, diabetes, diverticular disease, gallstones,
giardia, peptic ulcer disease, splenic flexure syndrome, kidney
disease, heart disease and ulcerative colitis. In rare cases
abdominal Bloating may be the result of a tumour.

TREATMENT OPTIONS

As with all conditions your Doctor should be consulted. Your
Doctor will diagnose and treat this condition. Ask your Doctor
about the latest advice on this ailment. Bloating is not a serious
ailment, however, if the symptoms are severe and persistent it is
advisable to see your Doctor. Seek medical advice if Bloating
occurs with a change in bowel habits, persistent diarrohea,
constipation, blood in the stool, fever, abdominal pain and
bloating, nausea or vomiting.

DIET HINTS

• Excess intestinal gas may be related to eating too quickly,
  poor digestion, eating certain foods known to be gas-producing,
  food allergies, food sensitivities and constipation.
• It is best to eat slowly, chew well and eat several small meals
  and snacks through the day. 
• Poor digestion can be improved by choosing low fat foods,
  separating starches and proteins into different meals (this is
  called “Food Combining”- see the Digestive Disorders Diet on the
  Healthpoint) and including enzyme-rich foods such as fresh pawpaw
  and fresh pineapple. A supplement of digestive enzymes may be
  beneficial.
• See the list of gas-producing foods in the ‘Diet Should Be Low
  In’ section of this topic.
• If constipation is a problem, increase your intake of cereal
  fibres, fruit and vegetables and drink 6-8 glasses of water
  daily.
• Milk and other dairy products can sometimes cause Bloating in
  people with a lactase deficiency. Lactase is the enzyme that breaks
  down lactose (milk sugar) before it is absorbed by the body.
• Acidophilus is found in yoghurt and helps to increase the good
  bacteria in the bowel and help destroy the bad bacteria which can
  cause Bloating and flatulence.

The following foods contain carbohydrates that are not
absorbed well by the human digestive tract. In some cases eating
these foods may produce excessive intestinal gas and Bloating. The
following vegetables, fruit beans and legumes are however an
important part of a healthy diet and should not be eliminated from
the diet.

• Broccoli
• Cabbage 
• Brussels sprouts 
• Beans and legumes
• Cauliflower 
• Onions 
• Prunes 
• Dark beer 
• Red wine 
• Sorbitol (a sweetener in sugar-free gum, lollies, and other
  diet products) 
• Fructose (found in fruits and honey, and soft drinks).
• Carbonated drinks
• Sugar
• Fried and fatty foods
• Raw apple
• Milk and other dairy products
• Eggs.

Ask your Pharmacist for advice.

1. Follow the Diet Hints. 
2. If constipation is a problem ask your Pharmacist to recommend a
   suitable fibre supplement.
3. An acidophilus supplement may help to reduce the severity of
   Bloating by restoring the balance of the friendly bacteria in the
   bowel. 
4. Bloating may result from inadequate digestion. In these cases
   supplementing with digestive enzymes may help to improve Bloating.
   Ask your Pharmacist for advice. 
5. Swallowing air can be a cause of Bloating. To prevent this,
   avoid rapid drinking, chewing gum, use of tobacco products, sucking
   on hard lollies and drinking carbonated beverages.
6. Activated charcoal can be taken as a supplement to help absorb
   intestinal gas and reduce Bloating.