Each person at least once in his life experienced a feeling of fullness in his stomach. As a rule, this unpleasant sensation is accompanied by symptoms such as pain and flatulence. In some cases, the cause of the feeling of fullness is banal overeating. However, if uncomfortable sensations appear regularly, this may indicate the progression of pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract. The main causes of a feeling of fullness in the abdomen are described below.
Irritable bowel syndrome
This term includes a whole group of functional digestive disorders. In this case, pathological conditions are not associated with organic damage to the intestines directly. It is customary to talk about the syndrome when the symptoms characteristic of it do not disappear for 3 or more months.
The main reasons for the development of a pathological condition:
- psycho-emotional instability;
- change in habitual diet;
- prolonged exposure to stress;
- unbalanced diet: as a rule, people with an extremely small amount of fiber-rich foods suffer from irritable bowel syndrome and the accompanying feeling of fullness in the lower abdomen;
- lifestyle not implying motor activity;
- gynecological diseases;
- intestinal pathologies of an infectious nature transferred in the recent past;
- hormonal imbalance.
Under the influence of any provoking factor, the degree of sensitivity of the intestinal receptors decreases. The consequence of this is a violation of its functioning.
The main symptoms of the syndrome are pain and a feeling of fullness in the abdomen. They occur against the background of muscle spasms and excessive stretching of the intestinal walls. In most cases, the patient's condition improves slightly after the act of defecation and gas discharge.
The syndrome requires an integrated approach to treatment. Therapy is aimed at normalizing the psychoemotional state and relieving pain.
Intestinal obstruction
This condition is not an independent disease. In all cases, it develops against the background of the course of other pathologies of the digestive system. In addition, CNS disorders can be the cause.
The term "intestinal obstruction" refers to an acute condition in which the passage of feces through the final section of the digestive tract is difficult.
Reasons for the development of pathology:
- various kinds of injuries;
- helminthic infestations;
- the presence in the intestine of a foreign body;
- digestive system diseases;
- intoxication process;
- recent surgery on the digestive system;
- constriction by a loop of the intestine (for example, adhesions;
- narrowing of the lumen of the mesenteric vessels;
- neoplasms of both benign and malignant nature.
For intestinal obstruction, the following symptoms are characteristic:
- pain that is cramping;
- a feeling of heaviness and fullness in the stomach;
- constipation;
- flatulence;
- heart palpitations;
- pallor of the skin;
- excessive sweating.
Treatment of pathology is carried out both by conservative and surgical methods. The choice of patient management tactics directly depends on the cause of the disease and its severity.
Chronic pancreatitis
This disease is a common cause of a feeling of fullness in the stomach. The term "pancreatitis" refers to inflammation of the pancreas. The chronic form of the disease develops with untimely relief of the acute phase.
The main causes of pathology:
- regular use of alcohol-containing drinks;
- unbalanced nutrition;
- the presence of calculi in the gallbladder;
- hormonal imbalance;
- various types of pancreatic injuries;
- genetic predisposition.
Clinical manifestations of chronic pancreatitis:
- frequent burping episodes;
- diarrhea or, on the contrary, constipation;
- nausea, often turning into vomiting;
- bloating and a feeling of fullness;
- increased degree of fatigue;
- a sharp decrease in body weight;
- flatulence.
The disease is often complicated by conditions that pose a danger not only to health, but also to the life of the patient. In this regard, it is necessary to consult a doctor if the first alarming signs (stool disorders, feeling of fullness in the abdomen) occur. With timely treatment, it is possible to achieve the onset of a period of persistent remission.
Duodenitis
The course of this disease is accompanied by inflammation of the wall of the duodenum. Duodenitis can be either an independent pathology, or be combined with other ailments of the digestive system.
The main causes of the development of the disease:
- active life of the bacterium Helicobacter pylori;
- intestinal malformations;
- hormonal disorders;
- unbalanced nutrition, frequent use of harmful foods;
- smoking;
- alcohol abuse;
- prolonged exposure to stress;
- uncontrolled intake of certain medications;
Characteristic symptoms of duodenitis:
- pain and a feeling of fullness in the upper abdomen;
- general weakness;
- fever;
- nausea;
- vomiting
- headache;
- sharp jumps in body weight.
Therapeutic measures are aimed at stopping the inflammatory process. Patients must strictly adhere to the diet and dosing regimen of drugs prescribed by the doctor.
Gastritis
Inflammation of the gastric mucosa is also a common cause of a feeling of fullness in the stomach. The start of the development of pathology occurs with regular exposure to the stomach of powerful irritants.
The main provoking factors:
- active life Helicobacter pylori;
- regular use of alcohol-containing drinks;
- smoking;
- uncontrolled medication;
- infections of a viral and fungal nature;
- malfunction of the immune system;
- lack of vitamins.
The main clinical manifestations of gastritis:
- stomach ache regularly;
- feeling of fullness;
- nausea;
- belching;
- heartburn;
- bad taste in the mouth;
- general weakness;
- arrhythmia;
- constipation or, conversely, diarrhea;
- vomiting
- drowsiness.
Treatment of pathology involves taking medication and strict diet.
Pyloric stenosis
This disease is characterized by the difficult passage of partially digested food into the intestinal cavity. This is a consequence of the narrowing of the outlet of the gatekeeper.
The causes of the development of the disease:
- scars formed on the site of protracted ulcers;
- neoplasms located on the inner walls of the stomach and duodenum.
At the initial stage of the development of the disease, patients complain of belching with a sour taste, as well as a feeling of fullness in the abdomen. After vomiting, the general condition tends to improve. Over time, painful sensations appear, the body weight of a person begins to rapidly decline. The decompensation phase is characterized by dehydration and exhaustion. In the vomit, you can find the remnants of food eaten a few days ago.
At the initial stage of the development of the disease, prokinetics are indicated. These are drugs whose active components restore the motility of the stomach and intestines. In other cases, surgical intervention is indicated.
Stomach ulcer
This disease has a chronic course. It is accompanied by a violation of the integrity of the tissues lining the walls of the stomach.
Causes of peptic ulcer:
- active life of the bacterium Helicobacter pylori;
- genetic predisposition;
- uncontrolled or prolonged use of NSAIDs;
- metabolic disorders;
- gastritis of an atrophic nature;
The main symptom of a stomach ulcer is pain localized under the xiphoid process. It can radiate to the left half of the body.
Other clinical manifestations:
- bloating, feeling of fullness;
- the tongue is overlaid;
- bad breath;
- nausea, often turning into vomiting;
- flatulence;
- stool disorders.
The treatment of peptic ulcer is carried out using both conservative and surgical methods.
Feeling of fullness after eating
Each person at least once in his life experienced discomfort that occurs shortly after the end of the meal. Isolated cases of bloating and feelings of fullness are associated, as a rule, with banal overeating during a festive feast or stressful condition.
Other causes of discomfort after eating:
- lack of diet, numerous snacks;
- frequent use of foods rich in flavorings, hazardous fats and preservatives;
- too fast absorption of food: poorly chewed and insufficiently moistened with saliva food negatively affects the digestive tract;
- constant consumption of junk food;
- intoxication: the process of poisoning the body with harmful compounds is triggered by the use of low-quality products;
- large portion sizes;
- abuse of fast food and alcohol.
In order to stop discomfort, it is allowed to take medication. Safe medicines that should be in the medicine cabinet in every home:
- “No-Shpa;
- Spazgan
- "Smecta";
- Espumisan
- Hilak Forte;
- Linex
- Beefiform.
If the feeling of fullness is localized in the upper abdomen, you can take "Pancreatin".
Discomfort during pregnancy
In the early stages, the feeling of fullness in the abdomen may be due to hormonal changes in the body. In addition, uncomfortable sensations are often the result of an unbalanced diet.
The feeling of fullness in the abdomen during pregnancy can also be a symptom of a malfunction of the pancreas, which can not cope with the increased load.
Other causes of discomfort:
- non-compliance with the drinking regime;
- wearing too tight clothes;
- night snacks;
- an increase in the uterus in size.
A feeling of fullness must be reported to the doctor. It is important to exclude the development of serious diseases of the digestive system.
Other reasons
The feeling of fullness in the stomach is a kind of signal, which is unacceptable to ignore. When it appears, you must consult a doctor. The specialist will conduct diagnostic measures and draw up a treatment regimen.
Other possible causes of discomfort:
- bad habits;
- frequent use of soda in order to get rid of heartburn;
- overweight;
- natural age-related changes.
In women, a feeling of fullness in the lower abdomen often accompanies ovulation. When the phase of the cycle changes, it goes on its own.
In order to permanently get rid of the feeling of fullness, it is necessary to eliminate the root cause of its occurrence.
First aid
In order to improve well-being, it is recommended to drink a decoction based on the following medicinal plants:
- daisies;
- St. John's wort
- oak bark;
- dill seeds;
- fennel;
- sage.
It is allowed to cook both mono-and multicomponent decoctions. The above medicinal plants are able to relieve not only the feeling of fullness, but also flatulence and pain.
Finally
Each person at least once in his life felt discomfort in the abdomen. Often the feeling of fullness is the result of banal overeating. However, ignoring this symptom is unacceptable. This is due to the fact that it can be a sign of the progression of pathologies that are dangerous not only for health, but also for human life.