Bloating can range from mild to severe and may be caused by overeating, high-fiber foods, lactose intolerance, or medical conditions such as Crohn’s disease or ovarian cancer. Treatment includes medication, diet changes, and medical attention for severe cases.
Severe bloating is a feeling of fullness and discomfort in the abdomen or belly. The condition is sometimes accompanied by gas, indigestion, abdominal pain and bloating. The causes of bloating range from mild to serious and range from swallowing air, to adverse reactions to certain foods, to medical conditions or diseases. Over-the-counter and prescription medications, along with diet modification, usually help reduce abdominal swelling. Severe swelling, however, requires medical attention.
Common causes of bloating vary depending on the individual and the severity of the condition. In milder cases, indigestion and bloating may occur due to overeating and frequent consumption of high-fiber foods such as broccoli, apples, and beans. Soda and other caffeinated beverages also cause bloating. Nervous habits such as swallowing air, otherwise known as swallowing, also lead to bloating due to gas accumulation in the abdomen. Conditions like constipation can also cause tightness in the abdomen.
Cases of severe bloating can occur due to medical conditions in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, bacteria in the gut, irritable bowel syndrome, lactose intolerance, or a sign of cancer. An example is Crohn’s disease, which causes inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, thus causing painful intestinal bloating. Celiac disease is another condition that affects the digestive tract and causes intestinal damage and bloating. Bloating can also be caused by an overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine. This can cause improper absorption of food, resulting in malnutrition.
Another culprit of severe bloating, irritable bowel syndrome, is a disease of the lower intestinal tract that causes constipation, diarrhea and an upset stomach. The inability of the small intestine to form enzymes causes lactose intolerance, requiring sufferers to avoid dairy products. Severe bloating usually appears as a symptom for those with lactose intolerance. Minor bloating is also sometimes associated with a woman’s menstrual cycle, but severe and persistent bloating can be a sign of ovarian cancer. Abdominal or pelvic pain and loss of appetite may warrant a visit to the doctor.
Treatment for bloating generally includes medications or changes in eating and drinking habits, while severe abdominal bloating likely requires treatment by a doctor. Some over-the-counter medications work to relieve the gas or constipation that triggers bloating. Eliminating or reducing your intake of caffeine and high-fiber foods, and breaking your swallowing habit, can also improve bloating symptoms. Prescription drugs combined with a special diet can reduce some gastrointestinal discomfort and, consequently, abdominal swelling. If severe swelling results in a more serious diagnosis such as ovarian cancer, treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation, depending on the stage of the disease.
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