Chronic bloating is commonly caused by constipation and excess gas, but can also be caused by intestinal obstruction, tumors, cysts, or parasitic infections. Dietary changes can often ease symptoms, but medical attention may be necessary for severe cases or underlying disorders.
The most common causes of chronic bloating are constipation and excess gas. Less common causes are intestinal obstruction, tumor, cyst, or parasitic infection. Most of these are completely treatable and do not necessarily require a doctor’s attention.
Constipation is one of the most common causes of chronic bloating, especially when related to a common disorder like irritable bowel syndrome. There are many potential causes of constipation, such as eating too little dietary fiber and not drinking enough water. Adding these two things to your diet generally eases symptoms, and bowel movements often become more regular and easier to pass. Otherwise, chronic constipation may be caused by an underlying intestinal disorder that may require treatment by a doctor.
Excess gas is another common cause of chronic bloating. This can be caused by two things. Either too much air is swallowed during the day and moves down into the stomach or intestines, or the natural intestinal bacteria create excessive gases in the process of breaking down food matter in the small intestine or color it. Eating fewer gas-producing foods, chewing and swallowing more slowly, and avoiding carbonated drinks leads to less gas and bloating in most cases.
Although less common causes of chronic swelling, tumors, cysts and polyps are still prevalent enough to consider reasonable possibilities for ongoing symptoms. They don’t necessarily have to happen in the stomach or colon, although they often do. For example, ovarian cancer can make the abdomen feel distended or swollen if a large tumor is present. Treatments will depend on the size of the growths, whether they are benign or malignant, and whether or not they appear to grow over time.
Occasionally, some parasitic infections can also be causes of chronic swelling. Some parasites, such as tapeworms, can grow quite large if not discovered and removed promptly. Others multiply rapidly and can lead to a buildup of many pests clumped together. Both cases can cause swelling and must be treated with antiparasitic drugs.
While usually not serious, any case of chronic bloating should be reported to a healthcare professional if symptoms do not ease with dietary changes. Intestinal disorders are relatively common, but may need to be treated with prescribed medications if symptoms are severe. Causes such as tumors or cysts will need to be carefully monitored and possibly removed.
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