Bloated stomach

introduction

A bloated stomach describes a Feeling of pressure of the person concerned in the upper abdomen. The feeling of pressure can temporarily occur or a longer ongoing episode. The intensity of the sensation of the bloated stomach is not always a marker for the severity of a corresponding cause. In general, it should be clarified exactly where the cause of the symptom comes from and whether the pressure is not coming from the chest and whether it requires a professional examination as soon as possible.

root cause

It is possible that a bloated stomach is a temporary condition, for example as a result of a high-fat and rather difficult to digest meal. If the condition persists for several weeks or if the symptom recurs again and again, this can be understood as a disease of the stomach or gastrointestinal tract.

An inflammation of the lining of the stomach, a so-called gastritis, is often the main trigger for the appearance of a distended stomach. These are divided into three subgroups according to the cause.

Type A is described as an autoimmune gastric mucosal inflammation; no direct cause can be found for this.

Type B is called bacterial gastric mucosal inflammation. The colonization of the stomach with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori is described as the cause. This ensures the reduced protective mucus production of the stomach and increased acid production, which favors inflammation.

Type C has chemical causes and is the result of prolonged use of drugs from the group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as aspirin, ibuprofen or Voltaren®. Furthermore, high alcohol consumption, smoking and chronic biliary reflux (bile fluid flowing back into the stomach) lead to the development of type C. Another cause is the increased swallowing of air while eating.

Read more on the topic: Consequences of alcohol

Concomitant symptoms

As an additional complaint of a bloated stomach, pain in the upper abdomen combined with nausea often occurs. The pain can occur on the one hand when empty, but on the other hand also after eating. Furthermore, it is possible that frequent belching and heartburn occur concomitantly. Parasitic sensations in the abdominal area can be impressive, these are often expressed in a feeling of fullness.

Read more on the topic: Causes of heartburn

Furthermore, patients often report a more rapid onset of satiety after eating. In general, accompanying symptoms of distended stomach or gastric mucosal inflammation occur in a variable and inconsistent manner, so that these symptoms can, but need not, occur. The exact cause should be clarified quickly.

Read more on this topic at:

• Bloated upper abdomen
• Bloated stomach

diagnosis

The doctor can diagnose a distended stomach by asking the patient intensively. Here, questions are asked about the timing of the symptoms, about habits and about the use of certain pain medication. A gastroscopy can be performed for an extended investigation of the respective cause. A tube containing a light source including a camera is used to precisely assess the surface of the gastric mucous membrane. In addition, tissue samples can be taken and examined by specialists. In addition to this invasive method, there are also possibilities to detect the cause of the discomfort in the stool or in the blood.

Read more on the topic: Gastroscopy, ultrasound of the abdomen

therapy

In any case, should prolonged complaintsassociated with a bloated stomach clarified by a doctor become. This then secures the diagnosis and, with adequate therapy, complications such as bleeding or Stomach ulcers Recognize early on or even prevent it from occurring. Appropriate therapy is then initiated depending on the cause of the underlying disease.

The most common cause, the bacterial inflammation of the stomach lining, will one over a period of 7 to 10 days Acid production inhibitors in conjunction with two Antibiotics given. With this so-called Eradication therapy one relies on ending the bacterial colonization with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori completely.

Easily digestible, low-fat foods are recommended at this point little meat. In addition, you should refrain from smoking and drinking alcohol, as this stimulates acid production, which in turn irritates the stomach lining. A Acid production inhibitors should possibly be taken over a longer period of time.

Bloated stomach with nausea

Accompanying nausea as part of the bloated stomach often occurs in addition to the actual symptoms. This can be different from person to person and also occur at different times. Due to the reduced protective mucus production and the increased acid production in the context of gastric mucosal inflammation, the The gastric mucosa is very irritated and unprotected against additional irritation from alcohol or smoking. The body then reacts with that Feeling sick as Protection mechanism to prevent further, even more extensive damage.

Pain in a bloated stomach

Pain caused by a distended stomach often confirms the suspicion of gastric mucosal inflammation. They affect the upper abdomen and can appear both on an empty stomach and after eating. Increased irritation of the mucous membrane, due to the thinning mucus layer and increased acid production, the local inflammatory response promoted.

Since the prolonged use of pain relievers like aspirin, Ibuprofen and Diclofenac This can also be a cause of the gastric mucosal inflammation and thus the bloated stomach, should be treated avoided if possible become. The doctor will then resort to pain relievers that do not affect the protective layer of the stomach. In the event of severe stabbing pain, a doctor should be consulted immediately are used to quickly counteract possible complications. Which includes Bleeding in the stomach or also a Gastric perforationwhich can quickly have serious consequences.

Duration

The duration of a bloated stomach or feeling of fullness varies depending on the cause. On the one hand, the bloated feeling after a very high-fat meal can be maintained over a period of several hours, but should then subside again after a meal.

If it is an inflammation of the gastric mucosa, which causes the bloated stomach, this can gradually become noticeable over a longer period of weeks or even months without becoming acute.

Bloated stomach and intestines

The flatulence of the gastrointestinal tract can have many causes. The consumption of flatulent foods, such as legumes, various types of cabbage and foods that are particularly high in fiber, play a major role here.

Can also be causative Food intolerance, as a Lactose intolerance or Gluten intolerance be. In order to find out the cause, the suspected foods should be avoided here. It is recommended to keep a diary of the meals consumed.

The so-called Irritable bowel syndrome, which prevails in over 50% of the cases in patients with gastrointestinal complaints, is the cause of this in many cases. Background for the development of irritable bowel syndrome are not yet properly understood and are the subject of current research. Those affected suffer from diffuse abdominal painwhich can extend over the entire gastrointestinal tract, there is also a feeling of pressure and / or fullness, as well constipation or diarrhea. After emptying the bowels, there is an improvement in the feeling of fullness and pressure in the abdomen. Irritable bowel syndrome is a diagnosis of exclusion. This means that other underlying possible diseases must first be ruled out. These include, among other things, inflammatory bowel disease how Ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease.

Bloated stomach after eating

A bloated stomach after a meal has several causes. On the one hand, can fastfood and Loops cause a lot Swallowed air becomes. This initially leads to a feeling of flatulence and later to increased belching, which should bring relief. Drinking carbonated beverages is often another cause. Meals that are very high in fat also often lead to a feeling of fullness. During digestion, the ingested fatty acids react with stomach acid and settle Carbon dioxide free. The resulting gas then requires space and thus creates the perceived feeling of fullness. If there is inflammation of the gastric mucosa, a bloated feeling can also occur after eating, so that in some cases a feeling of satiety quickly occurs after a small amount of food.

Can a bloated stomach afflict the heart?

From an anatomical point of view, the stomach lies below the diaphragm and is thus spatially the same Upper abdomen and not the rib cage assign to where the heart is located. In the case of a badly bloated stomach, however, the increase in size can lead to a spatial approach of the stomach to the organs of the chest. As a result, the so-called Roemheld Syndrome occur. Here, the affected person develops a rapid heartbeat and occasionally feels it Extra blows of the heart.

Roemheld Syndrome can be a result of a Diaphragmatic hernia occur. Parts of the stomach slide through enlarged openings in the diaphragm into the chest. These enlarged openings can be congenital or acquired. They can also result from trauma, for example if the diaphragm is injured. If the above symptoms occur, an operation should be considered after careful decision-making with the attending physician. These can be done minimally invasively. A net is inserted to prevent the stomach from passing through again.

Home remedies

A bloated stomach is often a heavy burden for those affected and it is not uncommon for home remedies to be used before a doctor's visit. Initially, suspected triggers, such as high-fat and gas-causing foods or carbonated drinks, should be omitted. Gentle foods, such as easily digestible white bread or soups, can bring relief, as can commercially available ones Gastrointestinal teas. These contain a number of beneficial herbs that have a calming effect on the gastrointestinal tract. It is important that Do not overwhelm your stomach. So the meals should be taken slowly and preferably in smaller quantities at a lukewarm temperature. Supportive can warmth in the form of cherry stone pillows or Hot water bottles have a soothing effect. With all home remedies, however, it is advisable to consult a doctor if the symptoms persist.

If an inflammation of the gastric mucosa is the cause of the bloated stomach, serious complications can arise that cannot be dealt with with conventional home remedies.

Bloated stomach during pregnancy

It is also not uncommon for a bloated stomach to occur during pregnancy. The growth of the child and the uterus take care of one shift and partly Displacement of the internal organsso that you may feel full even after small meals.The mother is also influenced by the hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy and so suffers more easily from a bloated stomach. Certain hormones cause Relaxation of the muscles of the internal organs, such as the gastrointestinal tract, which causes the digested food to stay in the mother's body for a longer period of time and favors bloating. Pregnant women often observe an increased sensitivity to certain foods, which then leads to increased distension of the stomach. In general, it is not dangerous for either the mother or the child. In general, pregnant women should try to avoid foods that are particularly flatulent. If severe pain occurs, a doctor should be asked for advice immediately. Independent intake of bleeding medication should also be discussed with a doctor.