Abdominal bloating: what it is, causes, prevention

Abdominal bloating or flatulence is an unpleasant condition in which an excessive amount of gas is formed in the intestines. It occurs at different ages. Flatulence is intestinal colic in infants or increased gas formation in adults and the elderly. Let's consider what symptoms arise in this case. Why does abdominal bloating occur? What is the prevention of flatulence?

What is abdominal bloating

Flatulence is a violation of the digestive system. Abdominal bloating is manifested by such symptoms:

• The intestines are bloated with gases. A person feels bloating and fullness in the abdominal cavity.
• The volume of the abdomen increases. There is constipation or diarrhea. There is rumbling in the abdomen. Pain and spasms are felt in the intestinal area. These symptoms increase after eating.
• Violation of appetite: it is absent or on the contrary, there is a feeling of hunger after eating.
• Weakness, poor health due to the fact that nutrients are poorly digested.

Causes of abdominal bloating

Various causes lead to flatulence. It is a consequence of some diseases, such as irritable bowel syndrome, GERD, when stomach contents are pushed into the esophagus, post-infectious colitis, gallbladder and pancreas disorders, lactose or gluten intolerance, etc. There are also other common causes of abdominal bloating:

• Lack of enzymes in the body causes food to be broken down in the intestines incompletely. This results in the formation of gases.
• An imbalance in the intestinal microflora can lead to flatulence. Dysbacteriosis is often due to taking antibiotics.
• Some types of products cause gas formation when consumed in excess. For some, such products are legumes, cabbage, carbonated drinks, black bread, kvass and beer.
• Abdominal bloating can be provoked by stress, because of which intestinal motility is disturbed.

Prevention of abdominal bloating

To prevent flatulence, follow these recommendations:

• Medicines, especially antibiotics, are taken only on the prescription of a doctor in strict dosage. At the same time, it is important to replenish the intestinal microflora with special preparations that the doctor prescribes.
• Exclude products that cause gas formation. For each such food is individual: someone poorly tolerates legumes, someone cabbage or potatoes.
• Food is consumed regularly. Avoid overeating. If there is too much food, the body does not have enough digestive enzymes to break it down.
• It is important to drink enough water.
• It is desirable to minimize stress and get out of such states as soon as possible. Then intestinal peristalsis will be kept normal or quickly recovered.
• You need sufficient physical activity, thanks to which spasms are reduced and the blood circulation of the abdominal cavity is improved.

With pain in the right subcostal region, heaviness in the abdomen and increased gas formation, it is necessary to see a doctor as soon as possible. He will appoint an examination and determine the cause of such symptoms. Timely treatment will help to minimize the manifestations of flatulence or avoid them altogether.