Bloating: treatment, causes

Almost all people are familiar with the problem of flatulence, or bloating. However, not everyone knows what factors cause discomfort. But in order to find out how to treat bloating, you need to understand the mechanism of occurrence. What is flatulence and how to deal with it?

Definition

Bloating, or flatulence, is an accumulation of gas in the intestines that occurs as a result of a malfunction of the digestive system. A swollen belly may be accompanied by diarrhea, which significantly impairs the quality of human life. In most cases, unpleasant symptoms can be eliminated at home, but it is much more difficult to diagnose and treat the causes of bloating and gas formation.

Symptoms of pathology

Bloating can significantly impair the quality of life, as a person begins to feel the following symptoms:

• abdominal pain, which can be characterized as bursting;
• an increase in the size of the abdomen;
• frequent unpleasant burping;
• violation of the stool;
• decreased appetite;
• nausea with bouts of vomiting if flatulence is caused by an intestinal infection;
• unnatural bad breath;

• irritability, abrupt change of mood;
• increase in body temperature;
• joint aches;
• dizziness.

In newborns, bloating is accompanied by loud continuous crying, colic, impaired sleep and appetite.

Causes of occurrence

This pathology affects all people, regardless of age and gender. It is necessary to know the prerequisites and causes of bloating and gas formation (treatment in this case will be most effective). Flatulence can occur as a consequence of the following processes:

• Fermentation of insufficiently digested food occurs when a large amount of fatty, fried, salty foods is consumed, which the stomach is not able to fully digest. Undigested food begins to rot, releasing gas bubbles that irritate the stomach and intestines.
• Incompatible foods. Everyone knows that some product combinations, such as milk and salted fish, give a laxative effect. Such extreme combinations should be avoided.
• Fast food on the go provokes swallowing air bubbles with food. They accumulate in the lower intestines, causing heaviness in the abdomen, cramps and flatulence.
• Pregnancy. In this case, the uterus, which increases in size, compresses the intestines, which contributes to the difficult passage of gases. As a result, bloating, unpleasant belching, diarrhea can form.

• Disorders of the hormonal background. In periods such as menstruation, ovulation, lactation or puberty, intestinal fermentation is impaired. All this provokes excessive gas formation in the intestines and stomach.
• Taking certain medications. Especially sinful side effect in the form of flatulence is antibiotics, anesthetics and hormonal drugs.
• Bad habits, such as smoking and drinking a lot of alcohol. Flatulence can occur, especially if you smoke and drink on an empty stomach.

The causes of bloating in adults and their treatment are diverse, it is only important to understand the true conditions for the appearance of excessive gas formation. Normally, a person releases gases up to 18 times a day. If at the same time they have a sharp unpleasant smell of rotten eggs, then we are talking about flatulence.

Having a problem after eating

The causes of bloating and flatulence (and treatment afterwards) are not always associated with health problems or physiological processes. They can arise as a result of microflora disturbance due to the consumption of certain foods. Treatment of bloating after eating is not required, you just need to limit the use of certain foods:

• buns, white bread (especially warm);
• legumes (peas, beans, lentils);
• nightshade (eggplant, tomatoes, sweet pepper, pear);
• dairy products;
• carbonated drinks.

In addition to consuming certain foods, increased gas formation can occur when talking and laughing while eating. Thus, air bubbles enter the intestines, which provoke the appearance of pain in the navel, heaviness in the abdomen, shortness of breath, constipation.

Flatulence with constipation

Often bloating (whose treatment is quick enough) is complicated by problems with stools. To alleviate the condition, you can take the following measures:

• Diversify food with a low fiber content. Boiled potatoes, onions, carrots, chicken fillet are good for intestinal function.
• With the permission of the attending physician, probiotics can be taken that normalize the intestinal flora and improve the functioning of the stomach.
• An active lifestyle has a positive effect on peristalsis. Both outdoor walks and moderate exercise are suitable.

In addition, with constipation with flatulence, it is recommended to drink a large amount of liquid - the daily norm is about 1.5-2 liters of pure water.

Bloating in women

Despite the fact that everyone is affected by this problem, regardless of gender, women may have their own reasons for the occurrence of flatulence. It may be accompanied by such symptoms:

• Dull pain in the lower abdomen, which indicates a rush of blood to the ovaries.
• The exit of gases occurs more often than usual.
• Increased sweating, mood swings.
• Drawing in the lower back.

Treatment of bloating in women will not give the desired result, since flatulence associated with the monthly cycle is not amenable to control. You can slightly improve the condition by taking carminative drugs. Also, nutritionists recommend during this period to reduce the use of foods that can cause fermentation in the intestines.

Other causes of flatulence

In addition to changes in the hormonal background and natural female causes for flatulence, there may be other causes of gas or bloating, the treatment of which may be necessary:

• Chronic pathology of the gastrointestinal tract or cardiovascular system. Pathologies of the liver, gall bladder, intestines adversely affect the production of enzymes, resulting in increased gas production.
• During awakening and a change of position (from lying to sitting or standing), the intestine begins to move the accumulated gases into the lower sections, which causes a large accumulation of air and bloating. This condition is not a pathology, but just a feature of the work of a particular organism.
• Genetic predisposition. Hereditary flatulence can occur if a set of genes is transferred from one of the relatives suffering from increased flatulence. This is also a feature of the body, however, taking certain medications can alleviate the condition.
• Excessive exercise provokes blood saturation with air, which does not have time to go out through the nose. In this case, the excess gas is looking for a way out through the intestines. The same condition can occur in stressful situations, when a person begins to quickly inhale air.
• Reception of cough syrups also provokes flatulence. This is due to the high sugar content that causes this delicate problem.

If regular bloating and flatulence are observed, the causes and treatment should be determined by the attending physician as soon as possible.

Diagnostic Methods

Before starting treatment for bloating, you need to understand what it came from. For this, a number of studies are prescribed:

• General and biochemical blood test, which helps to learn about the processes taking place in the body.
• General urine analysis.
• Coprogram - analysis of digestive waste in order to study the work of the gastrointestinal tract.
• Sowing feces for dysbiosis.
• A fecal lipidogram that examines the amount of adipose tissue in waste products. If there is too much of it, then it is necessary to revise the diet and examine the digestive organs.
• Ultrasound diagnosis of abdominal organs.
• Colonoscopy is an examination of the intestine using a colonoscope (an apparatus with a flashlight and a camera at the end), which gives a visual picture of the state of organs.
• Irrigoscopy - studies of the rectum using an X-ray apparatus with the introduction of a contrast medium into its cavity.

Research methods for the causes of bloating in adults and treatment are prescribed by the doctor based on patient complaints.

Flatulence Medicines

Treatment of bloating (gas) can be prescribed by the attending physician after examination and clarification of the causes of the pathology. The following medications are often used:

• "Mezim Forte" copes with bloating during overeating, helps to improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.
• Espumisan is a powerful carminative that helps get rid of excess gas accumulation. It can be used even by pregnant women who are familiar with the problem of flatulence.
• Smecta relaxes the muscles of the intestines during spasm and helps to remove excess gases. It is also used for indigestion associated with increased gas formation.
• Activated carbon is an excellent sorbent that removes toxins from the body. Despite the proven effectiveness, it has side effects in the form of constipation and dehydration.
• Polysorb is a milder analogue of activated carbon, which has virtually no side effects.
• Enterosgel helps to extinguish foci of bloating caused by putrefactive processes, neutralizes harmful bacteria and removes undigested food from the body.

It is not recommended to independently choose the treatment of bloating in adults, since it is necessary to act on the root cause, and not on the consequence.

Folk remedies

Since the causes and treatment of bloating and gas in most cases are associated with improper bowel function, these problems can be solved with the help of folk remedies. Often used dill, its seeds and tinctures. The advantage is that it can be taken even by infants. However, this is not the only method. How to treat bloating at home?

• A decoction of pumpkin seeds helps to relax intestinal motility and remove excess air. The disadvantages of the method include the possibility of indigestion.
• The usual black or green tea can be replaced with herbal drinks based on chamomile and sage.
• Sesame broth is also used, but it has a specific taste, so it is not suitable for everyone.
• To normalize the balance of intestinal microflora, lemon-ginger tea is used. It neutralizes the action of putrefactive bacteria that provoke flatulence.
• Celery is a universal remedy for cleaning the intestines from toxins and harmful microorganisms. It can be used in any form: fried, boiled, stewed, fresh. In addition, its unusual taste can be a highlight in any dish.
• The infusion of caraway seeds helps not only with excessive gas formation in the intestines, but also with diarrhea.
• Carrot and apple salad can help relieve unpleasant symptoms of heaviness in the stomach.
• Fresh pumpkin juice is effective. It must be consumed in 0.5 cups before each meal.
• Potato juice reduces gas formation in the intestines. It is used every morning for 0.5 cups on an empty stomach.
• Gymnastic exercises to smooth the muscles of the intestines will help get rid of the problem without the use of drugs. Making them is not at all difficult - just stretch in different directions and easily massage your stomach in a clockwise direction.

Treatment of bloating and flatulence at home using folk methods has its advantages, since it can be used even during pregnancy.

Preventative measures

The treatment of bloating and flatulence can be avoided if you adhere to the following recommendations:

• You should not eat dairy products in the evenings, as they provoke fermentation. In this way, the causes and treatment of bloating after eating can be avoided.
• It is not recommended after 18.00 to carry out heavy strength training, as they are a provocateur of flatulence. Active sports should be carried out in the daytime or in the morning. In the evening, only walking or leisurely swimming is allowed.
• There is no need to dramatically change the diet, unless the attending physician insists on this (for example, with exacerbation of chronic diseases). New foods need to be introduced into the diet gradually, replacing them with old ones.
• If there is a suspicion of bloating, treatment should not be prescribed on its own. You need to visit a doctor to find out whether this condition is normal or is a consequence of pathological processes in the body.
• Frequent problems with flatulence or stools can indicate overload of the gallbladder. In this case, it is necessary to minimize the amount of fatty foods consumed. It is better to replace them with dairy products.

If the bloating is regular, then this is a significant reason for contacting a gastroenterologist. It will help you find the true causes of your discomfort.

Bloating as a symptom of a disease

Increased gas formation can occur not only as a result of malnutrition or lifestyle, but also be a sign of pathology:

• Intestinal adenocarcinoma is an oncological disease of the rectum.
• Adenomatous polyp is a benign mass in the stomach or intestines.
• Alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver.
• Antral gastritis.
• Atherosclerosis.
• Atony of the intestine - dysfunction of the gastrointestinal tract.
• Femoral hernia is the exit of intestinal loops outside the abdominal cavity.

In addition, excessive accumulation of gases in the intestine can be a signal about the defeat of the body by helminths. This often happens after contact with animals, as well as in young children. It is important to seek medical help in a timely manner in order to determine the cause of increased gas formation and eradicate it.