There are so many other things that can lead to abdominal bloating such as; air swallowing, lactose intolerance, irritable bowel syndrome, partial bowel obstruction - a blockage at some point in the intestines that can impair the mechanical transit of food, constipation - which is characterised by a reduction in the frequency of bowel motion, fluid retention, menstruation, pregnancy, weakened abdominal muscles, abdominal surgery or obesity.
Some rare but more serious causes of abdominal bloating include:
Ascites: Feeling bloated due to the accumulation of fluid within the abdominal cavity, called ascites. Often the result of liver disease.
Tumours: Very occasionally, you may feel bloated because there is a tumour present within your abdomen, of the ovaries, liver, stomach or elsewhere. The present of a lump or swelling should alert you to the possibility of a tumour or cancer.
Infection: Certain parasitic disorders can cause abnormal dilatations of the colon (megacolon) associated with symptoms of bloating.
Colon or rectal cancer, Crohn’s disease, diabetes, gallstones, kidney disease, heart disease and ulcerative colitis.
Bloating is not necessarily 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 diarrhoea, constipation, blood in the stool, fever, abdominal pain and bloating, nausea or vomiting.
Air Swallowing
If you swallow large amounts of air, you bowel has trouble absorbing or removing it all from the body fast enough. This means more will stay within the bowel lumen and cause the sensation of a full bowel. Anxiety or nervousness, eating quickly, gulping food or beverages, drinking through straws and chewing gum can all cause you to swallow increased amounts of air.
Lactose Intolerance
Lactose intolerance is said to afflict approximately 70% of the world’s population to some extent and may also contribute to abdominal bloating. Those with lactose intolerance lack lactase - an enzyme in the small intestine required to break down milk sugar in the body. Avoiding or reducing the amount of foods you consume with milk, such as ice cream or cheese, can help the problem, but this is not always practical. Today several products are available which are lactose-free or can help lactose-intolerant people to digest lactose.
Fluid Retention
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 to 20 ml 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 call ascites.
I have one more blog to come on Abdominal Bloating, it is about blood types, the zone exercises and other methods to aid clearing bloating. I find these topics the most exciting! However you will have to wait until late November as I will be climbing Thailand’s Limestone
Until then…
Shine On!
Lauren
“A goal is a dream with a deadline” - Napoleon Hill
www.shinewellbeing.com.au
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