The swollen stomach is a relatively common symptom that is usually associated with the presence of excessive intestinal gases, especially in people with constipation.
However, if other symptoms, such as bleeding, hemorrhoids or yellow skin for example, are associated, it is important to consult a gastroenterologist to assess the situation and start the best treatment.
- Another common situation of swelling in the belly is poor digestion.
- So if you think this may be the problem.
- Watch the video of nutritionist Tatiana Zanin to learn more about the causes of poor digestion and how to remedy it:.
The main causes of stomach swelling include
They are the most common cause and often occur from situations such as foods high in fat, frying or sweets. Consumption of very spicy foods, with excess spices, is also a common cause of swelling of the belly, as they stimulate the formation of intestinal gases, which tend to dilate the lower abdominal region.
What to do: eating slowly, not swallowing air while eating and drinking fennel tea are natural and simple options to calm gas production, quickly relieving symptoms. You may also use medicines, such as Luftal. Discover other natural ways to fight intestinal gases.
Constipation may be related to low fiber intake, low physical activity and low water intake, which can affect people of all ages, although it is more common in sedentary and crowed people.
In addition to stomach swelling, constipation is also accompanied by difficulty defecating and a feeling of gas trapped in the belly, for example.
What to do: consume foods rich in fiber, as they favor the formation of fecal bolus, reducing constipation and the gases associated with it. Good examples are oats, muesli, wheat bran, whole foods, fruits and vegetables, raw or cooked in water and salt.
In addition, you can also have a glass of natural yogurt with 1/2 papaya papaya a day. This recipe has no contraindications and can be used by people of all ages. Discover other natural ways to combat constipation.
Sometimes the belly not only swells with a buildup of fat in this area and in this case it is necessary to make lifestyle changes and thus lose weight and burn fat in the abdominal area to solve the problem.
What to do: Exercise daily and eat fewer foods high in fats and sugars, plus nutritional and medical follow-up to lose weight. If you need help adjusting your food, watch the following video:
It is very common for women to complain about having a swollen belly during the period of PMS and menstruation. This is due to the accumulation of fluids in the abdominal area at this stage, which tends to disappear naturally with the end of the period.
What to do: To reduce belly swelling during menstruation, what you can do is have a diuretic tea, such as green tea or eat melon slices, for example.
When the abdomen starts to swell more from the belly button down and the period is delayed by a few days, this may be a sign of pregnancy. It is normal for the belly to begin to become more prominent under the navel in the first trimester of pregnancy and eventually develop more evenly until it approaches the breasts.
If you think you may be pregnant, perform the following test
Ascites is a medical condition in which fluid buildup occurs in the abdominal area, mainly due to liver problems, such as cirrhosis of the liver, for example. The belly swells not only by fluid accumulation, but also because organs such as the liver and spleen have altered functions.
What to do: If ascites are suspected, it is recommended to consult a gastroenterologist to evaluate the cause of the problem and initiate the most appropriate treatment. Learn more about ascites and how treatment is done.
Bowel obstruction is an emergency that occurs when stool cannot pass through the intestine due to path interference, with symptoms such as difficulty evacuating or removing gas, stomach swelling, nausea or abdominal pain.
What to do: Treatment of bowel obstruction varies depending on the location and severity of symptoms, and should always be done in the hospital, as surgery may be necessary. Better understand when the blockage occurs and how it is treated.