Abdominal heaviness and bloating: what to do, causes, treatment

Bloating (flatulence) is a disorder caused by indigestion. The painful condition is accompanied by a number of unpleasant sensations that provoke not only the peculiarity of nutrition and a tendency to constipation, but in addition to various diseases.

Causes of heaviness in the stomach

A heaviness in the abdomen signals a disturbance in the digestive processes in the body. The person feels pain periodically or constantly.

There are several main causes of bloating:

• Swallowing air. Quick "snacks" and conversations while eating help to get air in the stomach, which contributes to the accumulation of gases. Consuming carbonated drinks has a similar effect. In a healthy person, the disorder causes a temporary feeling of heaviness.
• Eating disorder. A healthy diet is considered to be the key to the proper functioning of the stomach and intestines. Meals are taken in small portions 5 times a day. By neglecting dietary guidelines, it is easy to have adverse effects on the intestines.

Common reasons:

• Overeating causes feelings of heaviness and discomfort. When a large amount of food is consumed, the digestion process slows down, gradually turning into a chronic form.
• Cold food, when consumed regularly, can speed up the motor function of the stomach, which promotes loose stools.
• Violation of the diet. To maintain health, it is supposed to eat 5 times a day at the same time. Too long intervals between meals, a hearty dinner before bedtime provoke the onset of flatulence.
• Eating irritating food. A number of products are named that increase gas formation (milk, bread, sweets, canned food). Unpleasant sensations after eating provoke fermentation products; kvass, beer, coffee should be avoided in the diet.
• Changes in the intestinal microflora.
• Psychological factors. Accumulated stress, nervous tension, inadequate rest, overwork contribute to the manifestation of symptoms of flatulence.

Increased gas production accompanies diseases:

• Dysbacteriosis;
• Intestinal infections;
• Neurosis;
• Peritonitis;
• Colitis;
• Pancreatitis
• Intestinal obstruction.

Symptoms of flatulence

Bloating causes heaviness and rumbling in the stomach. It seems to a person that the abdominal cavity has increased in volume, the sensation is accompanied by a stabbing pain.

The disorder is accompanied by symptoms:

• Nausea;
• Belching;
• Constant severity;
• Abdominal pain
• Heartburn;
• Bad breath;
• Decreased appetite
• Constipation;
• Diarrhea.

Which doctor to seek advice from

If you have symptoms of flatulence, you should see a doctor. If bloating, accompanied by unpleasant symptoms, bothers for a long time, you should consult a gastroenterologist. The doctor, as a rule, will conduct an examination and send you for tests (laboratory blood tests and coprogram).

In case of intestinal infection, further treatment is carried out by an infectious disease specialist, if the swelling is caused by a tumor, the oncologist monitors the course of the disease. For mental disorders, a psychiatrist is involved in treatment.

Treatment of flatulence

In the treatment of the disease, an integrated approach is required, which consists in drug treatment, maintaining a healthy lifestyle. During therapy, natural remedies will help to get rid of unpleasant sensations.

The resulting gas formation is a symptom that affects the patient's quality of life.

To completely get rid of an unpleasant disorder, you will need to identify the source of the ailment. Prolonged stomach boiling requires medical attention.

When treating, the doctor seeks:

1. Eliminate gas accumulated in the intestine, accompanying symptoms of bloating.
2. Find and eliminate the cause of the discomfort.

To relieve the condition, you can take medications to help cope with painful sensations. Often, drugs are sold in a pharmacy without a doctor's prescription, but it is recommended to consult with a specialist before taking it, the composition of the drugs can provoke side effects.

The reception helps with bloating:

• Enterosorbents (activated carbon, Polyphepan, Enterosgel). The drugs help to eliminate toxins and harmful substances that produce gases.
• Enzymes (Festal, Mezim). Means facilitate digestion. To avoid severity after eating, it is recommended to drink the drug 30 minutes before meals. The dosage for each drug is prescribed by the doctor.
• Carminative agents (Simikol, Espumisan). Medicines prevent the formation of gas bubbles, relieve belching and a feeling of heaviness. The drugs can be taken for a long time for treatment and for prophylactic purposes.
• Stimulants of gastrointestinal tract motility (Itomed, Itopra).

Natural carminative drugs help get rid of severity:

• Caraway seeds (it is recommended to make infusions, decoctions, use as a seasoning for dishes).
• Dill and fennel
• Medicinal herbal preparations (it is recommended to brew herbal teas).

If aerophagia is the cause of the disorder, six tips are recommended for effective treatment of flatulence.

Patients are advised to:

• Avoid talking while eating;
• Adhere to the normal rhythm of food intake;
• Exclude drinks with gas content;
• Give up chewing gum and hard candy;
• Reduce the number of cigarettes smoked;
• Consume juices and fruits 30 minutes before meals.

The use of enemas for flatulence

To alleviate well-being and eliminate symptoms of severity, it is permissible to carry out cleansing enemas procedures (or use gas tubes). The method will help get rid of accumulated gases, harmful substances and toxins in the body. A five-day course of procedures is recommended.

Despite the many beneficial properties of an enema, there are also a number of contraindications:

• Fever
• Chronic bowel disease;
• Hernia (abdominal or inguinal);
• Severe pain in the lower abdomen.

It is recommended to consult a doctor before the procedure.

There are various recipes for the preparation of solutions for enemas. Chamomile infusion has an effective effect. Chamomile has anti-inflammatory and soothing properties. You can improve the result by mixing the infusion with vegetable oil.

Recommended food rules

To achieve the best effect from therapy, it is advised to follow a specific diet, which consists in avoiding foods that provoke gas formation. The recommended meal is every 3 hours in small portions. All dishes are recommended to be consumed warm (exclude food that is too hot). Food is steamed or stewed; fried and fatty foods should be avoided.

Lifestyle correction

Having decided on the diet and medication, you should pay attention to the lifestyle. Nervous tension leads to flatulence. Doctors recommend leading a measured, calm life. It is advised to eliminate sources of stress, it may be worth taking a vacation from work during treatment. Yoga and meditation will help you find inner peace and harmony. If nervous tension provoked a certain case that haunts you, it is recommended to consult a psychologist.

Prevention of flatulence

The disorder can be cured, but there is still the possibility of re-illness.

To avoid recurrence of symptoms, it is worth listening to some simple advice:

• Adhere to the rules of a healthy diet.
• Exercise regularly and do exercises aimed at training the abdominal muscles.
• Do not sit in one place for a long time; if possible, it is recommended to walk more.
• Observe the daily regimen and give the body proper rest.

Flatulence during pregnancy

During pregnancy, women suffer from discomfort caused by flatulence.

Doctors identify the main causes of bloating:

1. Change in hormonal levels. The produced hormone progesterone has a beneficial effect on the course of pregnancy, but also affects the stomach and intestines. Progesterone reduces muscle excitability and intestinal motility. As a result, a woman experiences constipation, bloating.
2. Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
3. Violation of the intestinal microflora.
4. Improper nutrition.
5. Compression of the intestines. The pressure of the growing uterus on the intestine leads to a violation of its functionality.
6. Taking medicines. Some drugs in pregnant women cause flatulence as a side effect.

To get rid of unpleasant symptoms, you should adhere to general recommendations in nutrition, lifestyle. If the disorder persists for a long time, it is recommended to see a doctor who able to choose the right drugs to reduce bloating in pregnant women. You should not self-medicate, folk and medicines can have an adverse effect on the health of the expectant mother and baby.