All the causes of heaviness and bloating after eating: illness or simple indigestion?

Wormwood decoction should be taken with honey before meals.

• Healing decoction. Crushed calendula, St. John's wort and yarrow are needed. One tablespoon of the mixture of these plants is poured into 1 liter of boiling water and brought to a boil. The decoction is drunk 30 minutes before meals.
• Wormwood decoction. Drink with natural honey before meals.
• "Fizzy." Add 1 teaspoon of soda to 1 glass of water. Then squeeze half a lemon there. Mix everything and consume when you feel full.

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Proper nutrition

Treatment consists of the following nutritional recommendations:

• You cannot combine starchy foods with sour fruits, for example, grapefruit + banana.
• Protein foods and carbohydrate foods should be consumed at different times, that is, pasta should be eaten without meat.
• The concentration of proteins in the dish should not be high; for example, meat and eggs should not be eaten together.
• Protein foods cannot be combined with sour fruits, that is, you should not eat cheese with grapes.
• Milk, melon and watermelon cannot be combined with other foods.

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Symptoms

Bloating (flatulence) is an unpleasant condition in which too much gas accumulates in the intestines due to indigestion. It occurs immediately after eating and may be accompanied by hiccups, a feeling of fullness, belching, rumbling, lack of appetite, headaches and nausea. The abdomen “swells” and becomes dense. Often there are spasms, heaviness, stabbing or cramping pain in the stomach and intestines, which disappear after the passage of gas.

Pathogenesis of flatulence

If symptoms of pathology are detected, you need to consult a doctor and undergo an examination. This will help exclude serious pathology from suspicion or start therapy on time. Characteristic signs of constant bloating in an adult:

• colic;
• heaviness and distension;
• the presence of aching pain in different parts of the abdomen.

You can get rid of intestinal colic naturally; they subside after the gases pass. At the same time, the accompanying symptoms subside: diarrhea or constipation, nausea, the presence of an unpleasant taste in the mouth, belching and lack of appetite, bad breath.

If flatulence occurs against the background of the following symptoms, urgently consult a gastroenterologist or therapist:

• chest pain;
• presence of blood in the stool;
• weight loss;
• vomiting, nausea;
• recurring and severe pain in the abdominal area;
• elevated body temperature.

If a disorder of the digestive system occurs over a long period of time, it may be accompanied by such symptoms as: shortness of breath, dizziness, headache, intoxication of the body, malaise, insomnia, heart rhythm disturbances.

Causes

It is important to know that bloating never occurs on its own, and there can be many reasons for its occurrence.

Poor diet is the most common cause of flatulence. Constant snacking, refusal of full meals, overeating at night harms the body, disrupts the functioning of the stomach and the normal digestion process. The stomach begins to swell. Wrong diet choices. Excessive consumption of black bread, fresh cabbage, legumes, carbonated water, raw vegetables and fruits can provoke fermentation in the intestines and the stomach will begin to swell. Acute and chronic gastrointestinal diseases. In this case, flatulence will be one of the symptoms of pathology. It can be observed with gastritis of the stomach, cholecystitis, dysbacteriosis. It often swells with colitis and enterocolitis. Diseases of other internal organs. The abdomen is quite often swollen and swollen due to pathologies of the kidneys, spine, and cardiovascular system. Enzyme deficiency. This problem may be associated with a deficiency of phenylalanine or lactose, with the breakdown of gluten. Digestive disorders. The stomach becomes bloated especially often during constipation. Intestinal obstruction, during which there is a delay in bowel movements and the passage of gases. Flatulence is accompanied by severe pain in the intestines and stomach, heaviness, nausea, vomiting, and intoxication of the body. Psychological factors. Doctors have proven that prolonged emotional stress negatively affects the digestion processes and the functioning of the stomach. During stress, pain, heaviness, and spasms may appear. The stomach may swell.

Etiology

Bloating is a condition characterized by the formation and accumulation of excessive amounts of gases in the gastrointestinal tract. Often rumbling, spasms, colic, bloating, and a feeling of heaviness in the abdomen occur in healthy people. Such manifestations can occur for various reasons.

The abdomen swells periodically or constantly. Persistent bloating may indicate enlarged organs, obesity, tumors, or the accumulation of large amounts of fluid. When flatulence and rumbling appear once, the cause of the malaise is improper digestion.

Regular rumbling in the stomach occurs under the influence of the following factors:

Flatulence after meals

When a person consumes food, air is swallowed. During snacks, rushes, and eating on the go, much more air enters the stomach than it should. This provokes a feeling of fullness in the gastrointestinal tract. Flatulence can also be a consequence of consuming certain products that cause increased gas formation. Gases are accompanied by pain, nausea and other symptoms.

Foods rich in fiber

When the diet is dominated by foods rich in fiber, gases form. Carbohydrates provoke fermentation, which causes bloating and heaviness. If you experience frequent flatulence, it is recommended to minimize the consumption of foods such as black bread, legumes, eggs, cabbage, and kvass.

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Large amounts of food consumed

Overeating is the main provoking factor of flatulence. Especially if you eat a large amount of salty, fatty, fried foods. This is due to the fact that products containing sodium retain water in the body, causing swelling and flatulence.

Irritable stomach syndrome

When there are disturbances in the motility of the stomach, the movements of the organ become chaotic, not aligned, as a result of which irritable stomach syndrome occurs. In this case, no disturbances or changes are observed in the structure of the intestine. The clinical picture is accompanied by flatulence, constipation or diarrhea, and pain.

Intestinal dysbiosis

The most common factor is intestinal dysbiosis. It is accompanied by increased gas formation in the colon. The large intestine contains many beneficial microbes that protect the body from the influence of harmful flora. If the immune system weakens, harmful microorganisms are activated in the intestinal cavity, provoking fermentation and rotting, which occurs against the background of the elimination of a huge amount of fetid gas. The gas contains substances such as hydrogen sulfide, methane, and ammonia.

Pathologies of the digestive system

Flatulence accompanies many pathologies of the digestive system. These include pancreatitis, ulcers, gastritis, enteritis, colitis.

Pregnancy

During pregnancy, women often complain of flatulence and associated symptoms. Abdominal bloating is often observed in the early stages of pregnancy. In this case, the provocateur is an increase in the level of progesterone in the blood. This hormone relaxes the uterus as well as the gastrointestinal tract. At later stages, increased gas formation may occur due to an increase in the size of the uterus and its pressure on the internal organs.

Constipation

Flatulence occurs due to prolonged constipation, which is a consequence of a lack of fiber and fluid in the diet.

In addition to the listed factors, various pathologies can provoke flatulence: appendicitis, cholelithiasis, ulcers, diverticulitis, blockage of the genitourinary system, lack of enzymes. For the treatment of pathology to be effective, it is important to eliminate the provoking factor. The cause can be determined through proper diagnosis under the supervision of a gastroenterologist.

Mechanisms of occurrence

The mechanisms of occurrence of flatulence are related to its cause.

So, when overeating, the stomach cannot cope with the volume of food received and pushes it into the intestines, where poorly digested food begins to decompose, causing gas formation. When you abuse certain foods (for example, cabbage or black bread), flatulence occurs as a result of fermentation of food in the intestines. If the problem is enzyme deficiency, food simply cannot be fully digested and absorbed. As a result, after eating, a number of unpleasant symptoms occur: heaviness, nausea, pain in the stomach, belching, and the stomach begins to swell.

How to get rid of bloating?

Currently, there are many ways to combat this condition: medications, diet, folk recipes and others. Let's take a closer look at them.

Medications

Drugs prescribed for bloating can be divided into groups.

The first group includes enterosorbents. They are easily digestible, quickly and effectively absorb excess gases in the intestines and, along with them, are eliminated from the body. Enterosorbents are not suitable for long-term treatment, since they remove useful substances from the body along with gases. Drugs in this group include: Activated Carbon, Polyphepan, Polysorb, Enterosgel, Laktofiltrum and others. Enzymes. These include: Mezim, Creon, Pancreatin, Festal and others. Prescribed for a lack of enzymes, errors in nutrition, overeating and in the complex treatment of certain gastrointestinal diseases. Disadvantages - a number of contraindications; a full course of treatment is required. Defoamers. The action of these agents is based on the deposition of mucous foam, the bubbles of which contain gas. They accelerate the natural release of gases from the body and alleviate the patient’s condition, relieve heaviness after eating. Defoamers are powerful agents. They have virtually no contraindications or side effects. They can be prescribed for the treatment of flatulence even in infants. A well-known drug in this group is Espumisan. Probiotics. They normalize intestinal microflora, strengthen the immune system, improve digestion and stomach functions. These include: Hilak forte, Bifidumbacterin, Bifistim, Bifiform, Linex forte, Acipol, Baktisubtil, Linex and others. The main disadvantage is that they require long-term use.

Let's look at some pharmaceutical drugs from well-known manufacturers.

Hilak forte

Drops that normalize intestinal microflora. Produced by German pharmacological. They have a complex effect on the body. Prescribed for dyspeptic disorders, digestive disorders, irritable bowel syndrome, dermatological diseases, while taking antibiotics. Hilak Forte is well tolerated and has no contraindications.

Average price: 270-400 rubles.

Espumisan

A carminative drug produced by a well-known pharmacological company. They are sold in the form of emulsion, drops and capsules for oral administration. The active ingredient is simethicone. Espumisan effectively and quickly acts on the body, eliminates excessive accumulation of gases, and helps with aerophagia. Allowed for use from the first days of life.

Contraindications: intestinal obstruction, intolerance to the components of the drug.

The average price for Espumisan is 290-450 rubles.

Mezim forte

Enzyme preparation produced by German. Mezim replenishes the lack of pancreatic enzymes, helps digest food, helps relieve dyspeptic disorders, and eliminates excessive gas formation.

Contraindications: children under 3 years of age, exacerbation of acute or chronic pancreatitis, galactose intolerance.

The average price for it ranges from 80 to 290 rubles.

Polyphepan

Russian drug produced by. It has an adsorbing, regenerating, detoxifying effect on the body. Helps restore intestinal function and eliminate gas formation.

Contraindications: constipation, anacid gastritis, erosive and ulcerative lesions of the gastrointestinal mucosa. Can be prescribed to children.

The price for Polyphepan ranges from 75 to 130 rubles.

Polysorb

Russian product produced by. Polysorb is an enterosorbent based on highly dispersed silica. It has an antioxidant, sorption, and detoxifying effect on the body.

Contraindications: ulcerative lesions of the gastrointestinal tract, internal bleeding, constipation.

Average price: 226-368 rubles.

Despite the wide range of different products, you should not engage in independent selection. "Why?" - you ask.

It is better to consult a doctor so that he can correctly identify the cause of bloating after eating and select the most suitable remedy for treating this condition.

Traditional methods of treatment

Herbal recipes do not lose their relevance and are used especially often.

They are affordable, safe and easy to manufacture.

Dill seed drink

One of the popular remedies that can be given even to infants. To prepare it, pour two teaspoons of dill seeds into two glasses of boiling water, leave for 10-15 minutes and cool. Take half a glass three times a day 30 minutes before meals.

Lovage root infusion

An excellent remedy that improves the functioning of the intestines and stomach, relieves discomfort and heaviness. Place one tablespoon of crushed lovage root in an enamel bowl, add a glass of water, place on the stove and bring to a boil. After 10 minutes, turn off the fire, remove from the stove, cool and filter. The infusion is taken one tablespoon 4 times a day 30 minutes before meals.

Calming collection

Prepared from peppermint leaves, chamomile flowers and fennel fruits. It calms well, relieves heaviness, and improves the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. The ingredients are taken in equal proportions (1-2 tablespoons) and poured with boiling water. The drink is infused for 30-60 minutes, filtered. Take one glass in the morning and evening before meals.

Carrot seeds

Regular carrot seeds help well with flatulence, which can be consumed in powder form or prepared and drunk from them, like dill seeds. Consume it before meals. Carrot seeds relieve heaviness and eliminate bloating.

Anise oil

A simple piece of sugar with 4-6 drops of anise oil will help relieve symptoms of flatulence. This remedy can be given even to small children. It tastes good and has a quick effect.

Diet

Proper nutrition is the key to good health and easy digestion. To treat and prevent flatulence, it is necessary to adhere to a proper diet and follow a meal schedule throughout the day.

It is necessary to reduce the consumption of foods that cause increased gas formation and heaviness in the stomach: peas, beans, beans, onions, white and cauliflower, artichokes. You should also reduce the consumption of foods that increase fermentation in the intestines: black bread, beer, kvass, fruit juices, wheat and bran products, baked goods, sweets.

It should also be remembered that during treatment it is necessary to adhere to fractional meals, drink a sufficient amount of liquid during the day, never refuse full meals, and try not to eat at night.

It will be very useful to watch this video on this topic.

Treatment

You cannot decide on your own what to do if you have increased flatulence that does not go away even with proper nutrition. Given the variety of diseases, the symptom of which is excessive gas formation, only a doctor can prescribe treatment after a comprehensive diagnosis.

If the patient’s condition is not serious and no serious pathologies are found, experts may suggest trying to get by with diet therapy and following other recommendations. If a disease of the gastrointestinal tract is detected or even complications have already developed, drug therapy cannot be avoided.

Medication

It is necessary to begin treatment by giving up bad habits, since excessive alcohol consumption and smoking only aggravate inflammatory processes in the abdominal organs. Toxins from ethyl alcohol and tobacco smoke negatively affect the liver and damage the mucous membranes of the stomach and intestines.

Drug treatment is selected individually; for many diseases of the digestive system, drugs from the following groups are prescribed:

• Enterosorbents. In a short time, they absorb excess gases in the intestines and leave the body with them. However, long-term use of enterosorbents is not recommended.
• Enzymes. They are used as one of the means of complex therapy for many gastrointestinal diseases. These include Mezim, Festal, Pancreatin.
• Defoamers. Aimed at eliminating flatulence, accelerating the removal of gases from the body. Espumisan is considered an effective remedy in this group.
• Probiotics. These drugs normalize the intestinal microflora and increase the number of beneficial bacteria. Bifiform, Linex, and others are often prescribed.

Prevention

To prevent the occurrence of flatulence, it is enough to follow simple rules of prevention:

Eat a healthy and nutritious diet. Play sports, do not give up gymnastics in the morning and walking in the evening. Do not be influenced by stress, avoid negative emotions. If you have chronic diseases, it is important not to delay routine examinations, follow all doctor’s prescriptions and take the necessary medications to treat the disease. Do not delay visiting the doctor if your stomach often begins to swell. This symptom may be harmless or may indicate a serious problem.

Bloating after eating is a symptom that quite a lot of people experience. It is very important not to leave this problem unattended, to promptly identify the cause of this condition and begin treatment. As we found out, modern medicine has a whole “arsenal” of healing methods and means to overcome this condition. Do not forget about preventive measures that will help prevent the recurrence of flatulence.

It is much easier to prevent a problem than to try to get rid of it. Take care of yourself. Be healthy.

Do you still think that healing your stomach and intestines is difficult?

Judging by the fact that you are now reading these lines, victory in the fight against diseases of the gastrointestinal tract is not yet on your side...

Have you already thought about surgery? This is understandable, because the stomach is a very important organ, and its proper functioning is the key to health and well-being. Frequent abdominal pain, heartburn, bloating, belching, nausea, bowel dysfunction... All these symptoms are familiar to you firsthand.

But perhaps it would be more correct to treat not the effect, but the cause? Here is the story of Galina Savina, about how she got rid of all these unpleasant symptoms... Read the article >>>

A large percentage of people face the problem of bloating. Most often, this symptom occurs in people after thirty years of age or in pregnant women. Sometimes it indicates the occurrence of a disease or pathology of internal organs.

The scientific name for this rather unpleasant, but quite common phenomenon is flatulence. This phenomenon lies in the fact that a fairly large volume of gases, liquids and solids accumulates in the intestines, which lead to bloating. In principle, this phenomenon is quite common, but if it leads to unpleasant or even painful sensations, then we can talk about problems in the body.

In this article we will talk about bloating in adults, consider the main causes of this unpleasant symptom, as well as effective methods of treatment at home.

Preventing the feeling of heaviness in the stomach after eating

Preventative measures are not just a way to avoid unpleasant sensations. This is an opportunity to prevent the development of serious diseases that have many other symptoms and unpleasant consequences.

The first and easiest way of prevention is proper nutrition. It includes:

• Minimizing or completely avoiding fatty, fried, sour, canned and spicy foods.
• Do not consume scalding hot food or drinks. This irritates the mucous membrane, which can cause inflammation.
• Do not combine cold drinks with sweet or fatty foods. In this case, fatty foods are digested even worse.
• Avoid carbonated drinks, which can cause bloating and heaviness.
• Avoid alcohol and nicotine - they irritate the walls of the mucous membrane and negatively affect the blood supply to the stomach. In addition, such bad habits create additional stress on the liver.
• Eat regularly, preferably at the same time in small portions.
• Do not have dinner immediately before bed. Don't eat too much at dinner.
• Do not take a horizontal position after eating. Then food from the stomach is directed in the opposite direction, creating pressure on the valve between the stomach and esophagus. This pressure leads to reflux gastritis.
• Do not go on long periods of fasting followed by a hearty lunch.
• Make sure you don’t uncontrollably eat stress, especially tasty but unhealthy foods - it’s better to drink soothing tea.
• Don't eat in front of the TV - focusing on what's happening behind the screen makes it easy to eat more than you need.

You should also adhere to the following recommendations:

• It is very important to set aside enough time to eat. The habit of eating lunch on the go or in a hurry leads to the fact that a person does not chew food thoroughly enough, and the body, being in a tense state, is not able to digest it normally.
• Good digestion is impossible without enough water. Throughout the day, you need to monitor your drinking regime and additionally 15-20 minutes before meals you need to drink at least a glass of warm water, you can add lemon juice for taste. Lunch must include a liquid dish and a sufficient amount of juicy vegetables.
• Stomach diseases are often associated with bacteria. Therefore, it is very important to wash all foods thoroughly and avoid eating foods that are of questionable freshness. The same applies to various delicacies, especially seafood or offal. You should not dine in cafes or restaurants where unsanitary conditions are obvious.
• The health of the nervous system plays a big role, so you should avoid unnecessary worries if possible. If life is constantly associated with stress, it may be worth reconsidering something in it, learning to react differently to problems or taking medications for the health of the nervous system.
• A good habit is to drink a glass of kefir or other fermented milk drink 15 minutes before meals. This will not only relieve the feeling of heaviness, but also supply the body with necessary microelements and bifidobacteria. In addition, this habit will help you avoid overeating at lunch.
• Moderate exercise improves all metabolic processes, including digestion. Therefore, gymnastics, swimming and dancing are excellent prevention of heaviness in the stomach, but if it has already appeared, this will not help.

Heaviness in the stomach after eating can be the result of dietary errors, bad habits or serious pathologies. If this unpleasant symptom recurs, the cause must be identified and treated. Preventive measures will help avoid discomfort and the diseases that cause them.

Causes of bloating in adults

Bloating, the causes of which we will now try to find out, can be constant or occur from time to time. A constant increase in volume, as a rule, indicates diseases of the abdominal cavity, for example, enlarged organs, tumor, fluid accumulation, obesity. Periodic bloating is caused by indigestion and may also be accompanied by the accumulation of fluid or gases. Constant bloating differs from periodic bloating in that it does not go away for a long period of time.

The causes of bloating can be very different: from excessive consumption of carbonated drinks and foods high in fat to the presence of a serious illness. The most common ones to consider are:

If your diet constantly contains foods that contain a lot of fiber, gases will form in the body. Carbohydrates are easily digested and trigger the fermentation process, which results in heaviness and bloating. Therefore, you need to be careful with eating legumes, apples, eggs, black bread and kvass, and also cabbage. Bloating after eating. When eating food, a person swallows some air in the process. When in a hurry, having quick snacks, or someone who likes to talk while eating, the stomach fills with air much more than it should. This leads to a feeling of fullness in the gastrointestinal tract. Gases can cause nausea and sharp, short-term pain. Too much food. This is one of the main causes of bloating and occurs when too much food is eaten at one time. Too much salt, high salt foods such as chips can cause flatulence. Foods high in sodium cause the body to retain water and lead to bloating. Irritable stomach syndrome. If intestinal motility is impaired, and its movements become unstructured and chaotic, then this disease occurs. The intestines may look completely normal. A person suffering from such a disease experiences frequent pain, periodically the urge to stool or, on the contrary, constipation. Very often we can observe bloating with colitis, chronic pancreatitis, enteritis, gastritis. Thus, you can sometimes even self-diagnose the presence of certain diseases. For example, if your stomach is bloated immediately after you eat, then you can be sure that gastritis or pancreatitis is occurring. Intestinal dysbiosis causes increased formation of gases in the colon. The large intestine normally contains microbes; they are beneficial to us because they protect our body from other, harmful microbes. When the body’s protective properties fall, foreign microbes appear in the intestines with their own methods of digesting food (rotting and fermentation), which is accompanied by the formation of a large amount of gas, often with a foul odor, since such gases include methane, hydrogen sulfide and ammonia. Bloating is also quite common during pregnancy. In the early stages, this may be due to the increased content of progesterone in the body, which provokes not only relaxation of the muscles of the uterus, but also reduces the motor function of the intestines and stomach. In the third trimester, this can lead to a significant enlargement of the uterus. Causes may also be congenital deficiency of digestive enzymes, poor nutrition, and diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Constipation. Typically, this happens when you have low fiber intake in your diet, or you don't drink enough fluids to facilitate regular bowel movements.

In addition to all of the above diseases, ailments such as blockage of the urinary system, diverculitis, appendicitis, ulcers and cholelithiasis can cause bloating.

Causes

The causes of bloating after eating are divided into two main groups: consumption of certain foods and the presence of a number of diseases of the digestive system. In other words, when flatulence occurs in a healthy person, it means that he needs to reconsider his diet and eating habits. In people suffering from gastrointestinal diseases, constant bloating is not a separate problem, but one of the symptoms of the disease.

Foods that cause flatulence

Bloating after eating can occur for the following reasons: the choice of unhealthy foods that cause bloating and disruption of food intake. How can an adult eat incorrectly? The thing is that you can involuntarily swallow an excessive amount of air.

It enters the digestive tract through:

• Swallowing. Some air is always swallowed with food and drinks, but usually the amount is small. The reason for its increase may be the consumption of carbonated drinks, chewing gum, and the habit of eating too quickly. Sometimes the swallowed air comes out immediately with a belch, but more often it provokes flatulence.
• Bacteria living in the intestines. The body is unable to process some substances that enter the stomach with food. These include different types of sugars, fiber and others. Then bacteria come to the rescue, feeding on undigested carbohydrates. The results of these processes are heaviness and bloating.

There are also products that have a specific chemical composition, so that they can provoke flatulence. These include:

• legumes;
• cabbage;
• apples, pears, grapes, peaches;
• the juices of these fruits;
• homemade cheese;
• bread, cereal flakes;
• milk.

Bad habits that can provoke frequent flatulence also include:

• habit of talking while eating;
• haste, rapid chewing and swallowing;
• excessive amounts of fatty, spicy and other unhealthy foods in the diet;
• eating foods that are too cold or too hot;
• binge eating;
• consumption of stale, expired products.

Diseases that cause flatulence

In some cases, it is not easy to understand why flatulence occurs, especially if a person eats right. Then the causes may be various diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. The main pathologies are:

• Pathology of the enzyme system. Occurs when a lot of undigested food enters the stomach. Because of this, the processes of fermentation and even rotting begin, so urgent adherence to the diet is required.
• Erosive bulbitis. This is a disease associated with inflammation of the duodenum, in which processed food cannot pass naturally.
• Intestinal infections. They can be primary, that is, enter the stomach along with food, or secondary, when infection spreads from other organs.
• Dysbacteriosis. This is an imbalance of intestinal microflora. When there is no pathology, the gases are used by beneficial bacteria for their vital functions. When their quantity decreases, an excess of gases results.
• Gastrointestinal pathologies. The most common are gastritis, pancreatitis, and cholelithiasis. Flatulence is just one of their symptoms, often accompanied by nausea, heartburn and other manifestations of inflammation.
• The body's inability to absorb certain nutrients. Often these are lactose, fructose or gluten. Malabsorption of these substances provokes severe bloating and other unpleasant, painful symptoms.

Causes of constant bloating

If we consider the reasons for constant bloating in patients, then almost always they lie in their diseases. So, people are susceptible to this symptom if they have the following diseases:

cirrhosis of the liver; peritonitis; pancreatitis; dysbacteriosis; hepatoma.

If we consider provoking factors for healthy people, we can highlight:

improper food consumption, swallowing large portions with poor chewing; consumption of foods high in starch; addiction to sweets and starchy foods; soda consumption.

As happens with accompanying symptoms, you can get rid of increased gas formation by completely curing the underlying disease, or by adjusting your diet.

Symptoms

When a person has bloating, characteristic symptoms appear:

feeling of fullness and heaviness; aching pain or colic in various parts of the abdomen.

Intestinal colic usually goes away after the gases pass. In addition, if there is a large amount of gas in the intestines, nausea, constipation or diarrhea, an unpleasant taste in the mouth, loss of appetite, belching, and bad breath may appear.

Talk to your doctor if your bloating is accompanied by the following problems:

Severe, long-lasting, or recurring abdominal pain. Nausea and vomiting. Blood in the stool. Loss of body weight. Temperature increase. Chest pain.

It is worth knowing that with prolonged digestive disorders, accompanied by increased gas formation, signs of intoxication appear - general weakness, insomnia, malaise, irritability, depression, headaches, heart rhythm disturbances, shortness of breath, and so on.

Possible causes of heaviness in the stomach after eating

The causes of this unpleasant symptom vary from completely harmless to complex pathologies. There are two main reasons: the body’s inability to digest food and the inability to move the bolus of food into the intestines.

Dietary errors and food intolerances

Poor nutrition is stress for the stomach, which will definitely let you know about it. Poor nutrition includes:

• The habit of snacking on sandwiches - an abundance of dry food causes indigestion.
• Eating a large meal after long periods of fasting means the stomach simply does not have time to adjust. Its walls stretch and lose the ability to contract, push food further to the intestines, and other organs are not able to secrete the required amount of enzymes for digestion.
• The habit of having a large dinner before going to bed - at night all processes slow down, and the food bolus is not digested, causing heaviness, bloating, lack of appetite and nausea by the morning.
• Love of fatty, fried, sour or spicy foods that overly irritate the walls of the stomach. In addition, heavy fatty foods themselves are digested slowly.
• Lack of a diet - when food arrives at the same time, the body prepares in advance for the digestion process. If there is no regime, this is impossible.
• The predominance of foods that cause fermentation in the diet: sweets, beer or kvass.
• Eating stale (especially protein) food leads to putrefactive disorder.

Sometimes the body reacts unconventionally to certain foods, rejecting them. This can happen if the enzymes needed to digest that particular food are not produced. One of the most common forms is lactose intolerance, and with it milk and all dairy products.

Smoking disrupts the blood supply to the stomach, so cravings for nicotine can also cause heaviness in it.

Stress

The digestion process is directly related to the nervous system. Overwork slows down all processes; the body cannot find energy for digestion. Prolonged experiences increase the secretion of hydrochloric acid, which negatively affects the general condition of the stomach.

Often, due to anxiety, appetite disappears - a long period of hunger sets in, and eating after it does not always go perfectly. In another situation, due to worries, an uncontrolled appetite may appear - “eating” problems, which leads to overeating. Often, at times of stress, one is drawn to unhealthy foods. All this combined can cause a feeling of heaviness.

Often, when people are worried, they experience pain in the stomach that is not related to digestion.

Inflammation

A feeling of heaviness is one of the first manifestations of gastritis. Inflammation of the walls most often occurs due to bacteria, which begin to multiply rapidly. There can be many reasons:

• taking antibacterial and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
• errors in nutrition;
• long-term smoking and alcohol abuse;
• severe or prolonged stress;
• occupational hazards.

Gastritis can also develop due to pathologies of the sphincter - a kind of valve between the stomach and esophagus. When there is a regular release of food from the stomach, saturated with gastric juice into the esophagus, it is irritated, causing discomfort. This is reflux gastritis.

The disease can develop under the influence of internal (for example, genetic) factors. In this case, the inflammatory process is mild, but gastric atrophy develops, which provokes heaviness.

The autoimmune form of gastritis is less commonly diagnosed. This diagnosis implies that the body itself attacks the cells of the gastric mucosa, replacing them with connective tissue. This tissue is unable to secrete the enzymes necessary for digestion. A feeling of heaviness is often accompanied by fermentation.

In addition to the feeling of heaviness, gastritis is often accompanied by the following symptoms:

• heaviness after eating is accompanied by pain;
• Nausea appears after eating;
• discomfort in the mouth;
• the pain is localized in the upper abdomen.

Gastritis can be accompanied by high or low gastric secretion. With high acidity, heartburn occurs. If the disease is not treated, it becomes chronic and difficult to treat.

Ulcer

Deep damage to the walls of the stomach or duodenum is often accompanied by severity. It is associated with impaired gastric emptying. Often a feeling of heaviness and pain appears after eating, so it is impossible to eat in normal portions. The pain may not appear immediately, sometimes after 3-4 hours.

An ulcer can develop for various reasons:

• improper treatment of gastritis;
• disease of other digestive organs;
• injuries;
• myocardial infarction;
• uncontrolled use of medications.

Treatment for peptic ulcers should not be taken lightly. It can turn into a cancerous tumor, and its treatment is much more complicated and does not always have a clearly positive result.

Pyloric stenosis

The pyloric region is the place where the stomach passes into the duodenum. Stenosis is a narrowing of this section that prevents food from passing into the intestines. The pathology can be congenital or acquired as a result of a tumor, peptic ulcer or polyps.

If stenosis is developed in a weak form, it manifests itself only in a feeling of fullness, heaviness, and retention of stool. Gradually, the stenosis intensifies, and belching, pain, and sometimes vomiting are added to the symptoms. Dehydration develops, and in the advanced stage the disease is accompanied by convulsions.

Liver diseases

Liver inflammation can be acute or chronic. Hepatitis B, C and D, in addition to severity, are accompanied by the following symptoms:

• jaundice;
• pain;
• itching;
• weakness;
• headache;
• fatigue;
• moderate increase in temperature;
• change in the color of urine and feces.

Inflammation can be acute or chronic - the latter is characterized by frequent bloating. There are drug-induced, viral and alcoholic hepatitis. Untreated liver inflammation can lead to cirrhosis, which can be fatal.

Tumors

Malignant or benign neoplasms often cause nausea and heaviness and prevent the passage of food from the stomach to the intestines. The most dangerous tumor is cancer, which more often affects men. Risk factors include peptic ulcer disease, gastritis, age over 50 years, smoking.

In this case, the feeling of heaviness will be accompanied by the following symptoms:

• general weakness;
• weight loss;
• pain after eating;
• early feeling of satiety.

As the condition worsens, vomiting appears and anemia develops. The person becomes pale, gets tired quickly, and the temperature rises.

Pancreatitis

The pancreas is located in close proximity to the stomach, so the symptoms of its inflammation can easily be confused with a stomach disease. The pancreas produces enzymes that make up the gastric juice. Problems with this organ can cause difficulty digesting food.

Often the disease occurs due to an unhealthy lifestyle or gallstone disease. Inflammation of the pancreas easily becomes chronic.

With pancreatitis, heaviness is combined with loose stools, nausea and vomiting. Jaundice appears less frequently.

Gallbladder pathologies

Another organ located next to the stomach. Cholecystitis can be acute or chronic, often developing against the background of cholelithiasis. The cause of this inflammation may be:

• poor nutrition;
• congenital anomalies;
• parasite infection.

With chronic inflammation, an attack of cholecystitis worsens due to the slightest deviation from the diet. A bitter taste appears in the mouth, pain in the stomach and back, and bloating.

Spinal problems

It happens much less often that the cause of discomfort in the stomach is a pinched nerve between the vertebrae. In this case, such sensations appear after a long stay in an uncomfortable position.

Diagnostics

Before determining how to treat bloating, it is worth undergoing an examination and determining the causes of its occurrence. First of all, attention should be paid to diet and eating patterns. This will help determine which foods could cause increased gas formation.

Then the attending physician will give a referral to:

analysis of stool for intestinal microflora; bile examination; examination of gastric juice; bacterial analysis of stool; Ultrasound examination of the digestive organs.

Depending on the diagnostic data obtained, as well as the severity of symptoms of flatulence, a treatment regimen is determined.

Treatment for bloating

As with any disease, the primary thing in treating bloating is to eliminate the cause of increased gas formation:

nutrition correction; treatment of the underlying disease; restoration of motor function (by prescribing prokinetics); treatment of intestinal microflora imbalances (probiotics, biological products, herbal medicine); removal of accumulated gases from the intestinal lumen.

At home, you should normalize your diet. Eliminate from your diet foods that emit large amounts of gases during digestion. These are cabbage, legumes, rice, whole milk. Regularly consume wholemeal bread, dairy products, fresh vegetables and fruits.

Start doing daily exercises and make it a rule to walk at least 3 km a day. If you do not have any serious diseases of the internal organs, then this program will definitely help you get rid of bloating.

Treatment of bloating caused by intestinal dysbiosis, gastritis, peptic ulcer disease or enterocolitis comes down to treating the disease itself that initiates flatulence. With flatulence, which is a consequence of chronic pancreatitis, i.e. deficiency of pancreatic enzymes, treatment is carried out using drugs containing these enzymes.

Pills

Modern pharmacology offers the following tablets for treating bloating at home:

Activated carbon, released in tablet form. For flatulence, this medicine is taken on the eve of meals, 1 to 3 pcs. Children under 7 years of age are given 1–2 tablets. Wash them down with regular boiled water; Espumisan and other drugs based on simethicone. Espumisan is taken in the form of capsules or emulsion, two to three times a day with meals, sometimes it is recommended to take this drug additionally before bedtime. Espumisan can also be used to relieve occasional accumulation of gases in the intestines due to poor diet, during the postoperative period, or with constipation. The composition of tablets for bloating called “White Coal” is based on dietary fiber. As they swell, they absorb many toxins and gases. Take them before meals, 1 - 2 pieces.

It should be borne in mind that the above intestinal adsorbents are drugs with surface activity that can absorb gases, but they will not solve the main cause of flatulence. Therefore, such tablets can be used only for symptomatic treatment, in case of dietary disorders: overeating, poisoning, consumption of dairy products with lactose deficiency. The situations listed are not chronic, and flatulence is just an unpleasant symptom that can be easily relieved with an anti-bloating pill.

Specifics of therapeutic therapy

In order to, it is important to eliminate the factor that provokes this painful condition. First of all, it is necessary to take measures to stop active gas formation: adjust nutrition, cure the underlying ailment, restore motor functions of the gastrointestinal tract with the help of prokinetics, normalize the intestinal microflora, and also free the intestinal lumen from a large accumulation of gases.

In addition to diet therapy, it is important to lead an active and healthy lifestyle. You should stop smoking, abuse alcoholic beverages, exercise daily, and walk more often.

As for pharmacology, the following medications help with bloating:

• Activated carbon. The drug is produced in the form of tablets. It is recommended to drink 3 pieces before each meal. Children under seven years of age should be given one tablet, washed down with plenty of water.
• Espumisan is one of the most effective safe anti-bloating remedies. It can even be used in the treatment of newborns. Helps with constipation and in the postoperative period.
• White coal. Such tablets are based on dietary fiber. When the fibers swell, they begin to absorb gases and toxins. Take one tablet before meals.

If you have flatulence, you must adhere to a strict diet. It is also important to lead an active lifestyle. Gastroenterologists prescribe special absorbents that absorb gases and all harmful substances and then remove them from the body. Before starting treatment, undergo an examination and determine the cause of the ailment.

Heaviness in the stomach - many people are familiar with such a nuisance first-hand, especially during feasts! Blindly trusting habit, we either simply wait for the appointed hour, suffering from discomfort, or we rush to take some kind of “saving pill” in the hope of a miracle. How to quickly get rid of an unpleasant “burden” and why is it better not to get carried away with pills? Heaviness in the stomach, bloating, how to get rid of it and how to improve your well-being?

In order for food to be digested in the body, and for us, in turn, to receive vitamins and useful elements from it, enzymes help us in this difficult process. Food enzymes are proteins responsible for the breakdown of substances coming from food, without which the digestion process would simply be impossible. They are divided into three main groups: lipases help break down fats, proteases help break down proteins, and sucrases are responsible for “control work” with carbohydrates. Each group of enzymes has its own “front of work” in the gastrointestinal tract. After all, the digestion process is a rather complex phenomenon and, contrary to popular belief, begins already in the oral cavity. Here, enzymes contained in saliva break down food into simpler compounds. Passing further along the digestive tract, with heaviness in the abdomen, bloating, how to get rid of it, food is increasingly broken down, and each organ of the gastrointestinal tract takes away the useful substances and elements it needs. The digestion process is completed in the small intestine: here the food is finally dissolved, vitamins and microelements from it are absorbed by the intestinal walls and enter the blood through the capillaries of the intestinal villi, spreading throughout the body. But the work of enzymes does not end there - in the large intestine, they, together with lactobacilli, help remove waste products.

It would seem that with such helpers you can eat and not think about what you consume and in what quantities, heaviness in the stomach, bloating, and how to get rid of it. The “hard workers” will try, and all their gastronomic preferences will only come to fruition. Nature has thought of everything, but not completely. Suffice it to remember that almost every holiday feast ends with heaviness in the stomach, heartburn, and sometimes nausea. In a situation with overeating, this is easily explained. The fact is that each type of digestive enzyme in the body is responsible for “processing” only one type of nutrient. They work most effectively separately. Therefore, a stunning table mix of salad, main course and dessert causes great harm to the digestive system. Once in the stomach, mixed food stimulates the work of all enzymes at once, but the intensity of each of them is significantly reduced. After all, the expended internal energy of the body is distributed to the activities of our “helpers” in approximately equal shares to “fight” sweet, salty, and fatty foods at once. Gastronomic “binge” slows down the digestion process and creates additional tension in the internal organs. Overeating is poisoning the body as a whole. Because a large amount of food in the stomach will not be digested. Food with heaviness in the stomach, bloating, how to get rid of it, will enter the intestines in a poorly processed form, which will further result in problems such as incomplete digestion, fermentation, rotting. It is intoxication with heaviness in the abdomen, bloating, how to get rid of it that is the cause of unpleasant sensations. With constant overeating, we pollute the body - the level of enzymes drops, and then serious gastrointestinal diseases arise.

But if you still overeat, you should not endure the unpleasant sensations - it is best to take special tablets (digestive enzymes). It’s worth stocking up on life-saving pills before the holidays - the main thing is to choose from a great variety those that suit you. Enzymatic support, if you have overeaten, is simply necessary to relieve the body of excess stress. After all, overeating can provoke unpleasant symptoms such as nausea, flatulence, abdominal pain, and sometimes vomiting and diarrhea. Why should you endure such torment on holidays?

Choose medications that contain pancreatin. Pancreatin is an extract of the porcine pancreas that contains all the enzymes at once - amylase, lipase and protease. Amylase breaks down carbohydrates, lipase breaks down fats, and protease breaks down proteins. In healthy people, the pancreas secretes pancreatin into the duodenum in sufficient quantities. If its function during heaviness in the stomach, bloating, how to get rid of it is reduced, or the person simply overate, then there are not enough digestive enzymes - food is poorly absorbed. This is where medications containing an additional dose of pancreatin come to the rescue.

But try to avoid drugs that, in addition to pancreatin, contain bile acids, as they can severely irritate the walls of the stomach. Such remedies are especially harmful for people who have gastritis with high acidity. Contrary to popular belief, constant intake of enzymes does not cause atrophy of the pancreas and stomach. Enzymes help cope with the burden of overeating and gastrointestinal problems. Feel free to drink them if you have a heaviness in your stomach, bloating, how to get rid of it if you have overeaten. However, if a person often suffers from bloating, belching, or weak stools, he needs to see a doctor. Enzymes will help alleviate the condition, but they are not enough to eliminate diseases. For remission to occur, the patient requires complex treatment.

Increased gas formation, accompanied by discomfort and an increase in abdominal volume, signals a violation of the digestive processes and possible pathologies of the abdominal organs. Today we’ll talk about the causes and treatment of bloating, and also find out how you can cope with the unpleasant symptom with the help of medications and folk remedies.

The formation of gases in the intestines occurs constantly; this process is considered a physiological norm for a healthy person. The volume of intestinal gases released per day ranges from 700 ml to 1.5 liters. The gases consist of methane, nitrogen, volatile hydrocarbons and carbon dioxide. Their formation is facilitated by air that enters the stomach if a person actively talks while eating. But the main volume of gases is released by bacteria inhabiting the intestines during the digestion and breakdown of incoming food.

Subsequently, gaseous compounds leave the body in the form of belching and are partially absorbed into the blood through the vessels, but the main part is excreted through the rectum. If a person is healthy and digestive processes occur without deviations, the release of gas occurs unnoticed, not accompanied by an unpleasant odor or characteristic sounds.

But if the digestive system malfunctions, bloating, flatulence, and increased gas formation occur. A person feels discomfort, bloating, rumbling and heaviness in the stomach. After eating, there is an increased release of gases with an unpleasant odor, painful spasms occur caused by stretching of the intestinal walls, belching with an unpleasant aftertaste, nausea, and upset stool appear. But the discomfort usually goes away quickly after a bowel movement. Why does the stomach swell, what causes this condition? Let's get this out.

Causes of bloating - why is my stomach constantly swollen?

It is believed that bloating and increased gas production can be caused by poor diet or concomitant diseases of the digestive system. Most often, it is enough to adjust the diet so that the unpleasant symptoms disappear. All foods that make the stomach swell and increase gas formation can be divided into several groups:

• products containing coarse fiber. Increased gas formation is caused by the consumption of legumes (peas, beans), white cabbage, onions, tomatoes, apples, grapes, bell peppers, turnips, radishes;
• products that enhance fermentation and putrefactive processes in the intestines (baked goods, rye bread);
• foods high in gluten (cereals, sausages, sauces);
• dairy products that cause bloating due to a lack of a certain digestive enzyme responsible for digesting lactose.

In addition, discomfort and bloating are caused by foods high in “fast carbohydrates” (sweets, chocolate), sweet carbonated drinks, beer, kvass. Indigestion is caused by snacking on the run, talking while eating, overeating, and eating heavy, spicy or fatty foods.

Chronic stress, psycho-emotional stress, and nervous breakdowns can cause bloating and increased gas production. All processes in the body are controlled by the nervous system, and disruption of its functions has the most unfavorable effect on the state of the body, causing malfunctions of the digestive system and other pathological conditions.

Often, flatulence and bloating are a consequence of an imbalance of microflora in the intestines (dysbacteriosis), which is caused by prolonged and unsystematic use of antibiotics and other medications.

In women, the cause of this condition may be premenstrual syndrome (PMS) or late pregnancy, when the fetus puts pressure on internal organs and disrupts intestinal function.

Morning flatulence is considered to be a completely harmless phenomenon, caused by difficulty in flatulence in a certain position that a person takes during sleep. After awakening, when the body returns to active mode, these phenomena disappear.

Diseases that cause bloating

Diseases of the digestive tract, in addition to bloating, are accompanied by a number of characteristic symptoms: nausea, vomiting, upset stool, abdominal pain, and a feeling of bitterness in the mouth. Experts identify several groups of diseases that cause increased gas formation:

• Pathological conditions associated with impaired digestive processes, enzymatic deficiency, decreased production of bile acids and stagnation of bile. As a result, food is poorly digested and absorbed, fermentation and putrefaction processes intensify in the intestines, accompanied by increased formation of gases.
• Mechanical flatulence. Occurs when intestinal patency is impaired, caused by a tumor process, adhesions or stenosis (narrowing of its walls).
• Dynamic flatulence. Develops when intestinal motor function is impaired. This condition can be provoked by poor nutrition, a sedentary lifestyle, inflammation, severe infections and intoxication of the body.
• Inflammatory diseases of the intestines and abdominal organs (hepatitis, cirrhosis, cholecystitis, pancreatitis, Crohn's disease, irritable bowel syndrome, colitis of various etiologies).
• A common cause of discomfort is impaired absorption of gases into the blood due to swelling and inflammation of the intestinal walls or blockage of blood vessels with blood clots.

Constant bloating, which is a consequence of the disease, does not disappear after adjusting the diet. Over time, a person’s well-being worsens, and other symptoms appear:

1. or diarrhea;
2. abdominal pain of varying degrees of intensity;
3. lack of appetite;
4. nausea, vomiting;
5. belching, heartburn;
6. unpleasant taste in the mouth, coating on the tongue.

If bloating is accompanied by diarrhea, the cause of this condition may be:

• helminthic infestations,
• allergic enterocolitis,
• intestinal infections.

Such symptoms are characteristic of irritable bowel syndrome or severe liver damage (cirrhosis).

Bloating as a symptom

If bloating and gas formation occurs simultaneously with pain, this may be a sign of the following pathologies:

• gynecological diseases (inflammation of the appendages, fibroids, endometriosis, ectopic pregnancy);
• chronic enterocolitis;
• peritonitis (inflammation of the peritoneum);
• biliary dyskinesia;
• exacerbation of pancreatitis, cholecystitis, cholelithiasis.

If bloating is accompanied by belching, vomiting, constipation, the cause of the problem may be the pathologies listed above, or exacerbation of chronic colitis, gastritis, acute intestinal obstruction, cholelithiasis, severe damage to the liver or pancreas.

With diseases of the small intestine, pain occurs in the navel area, and the resulting gases distend the stomach from the inside. Symptoms appear after eating and are accompanied by rumbling in the stomach and flatulence.

When enteritis worsens, loose stools appear, food is practically not absorbed, the condition of the skin and hair worsens, and the patient loses weight. There is increased irritability, the stomach is swollen and painful, and belching appears with an unpleasant aftertaste. Inflammatory processes in the intestines and colitis are also accompanied by diarrhea, painful cramps, and an increase in abdominal volume.

With biliary dyskinesia, intestinal motility is disrupted, atonic constipation appears, symptoms of intoxication of the body, yellowness of the skin, the stomach swells and boils, and during defecation there is a feeling of incomplete bowel movement. Unpleasant symptoms can be triggered by overeating, poor diet, or stress factors.

In case of cholecystitis, hepatitis, cirrhosis, the cause of bloating is insufficient production of bile and disruption of its outflow from the gallbladder. Eating spicy, fatty foods causes characteristic symptoms (bloating, flatulence, diarrhea, pain in the right hypochondrium). Watch a 2-minute video where the doctor specifically talks about the causes of bloating and methods of treating this condition.

What to do if alarming symptoms and discomfort accompanying bloating appear?

It is necessary to seek advice from a specialist (general practitioner, gastroenterologist), undergo a full examination and establish the cause causing this condition. After this, you can begin treatment, including taking medications, using traditional recipes, and adjusting your lifestyle and diet.

Cure for bloating - the right treatment

Abdominal bloating, accompanied by vomiting, acute abdominal pain, gas and stool retention, bleeding from the anus, a sharp drop in blood pressure, or loss of consciousness indicates a condition that doctors call “acute abdomen.” In this case, you need to immediately call an ambulance to hospitalize the patient in a hospital, where, most likely, the patient will undergo surgical intervention.

Good to know!

If there are no life-threatening symptoms, then before visiting a doctor, you can take medications at home that will help improve your well-being.

• Sorbents. These are drugs that absorb toxins and harmful substances, eliminate increased gas formation and bloating. Popular products are activated carbon, Enterosgel, Polysorb, Smecta. Medicines are taken according to instructions, activated carbon - at the rate of 1 tablet per 10 kg of weight.
• Drugs that eliminate flatulence (so-called defoamers). This list includes Espumisan, Infacol, Simikol, Simethicone, Mezim Forte. The active substances of the medications eliminate increased gas formation, facilitate the absorption of gases into the blood and their removal from the rectum.
• Herbal remedies with carminative effect. At the pharmacy you can buy “Carminative collection”, “Dill water”, tincture of fennel and caraway fruits, which reduce gas formation in the intestines.
• Antispasmodics. If bloating is accompanied by painful cramps, you can take antispasmodics (Mebeverine, Buscopan, Drotaverine, Papaverine). Enzyme preparations (Pancreatin, Creon, Festal) will help improve digestion and eliminate flatulence.

If the cause of bloating is dysbacteriosis, take probiotics (Linex, Bifidumbacterin, Bifiform). These products contain beneficial lactic acid bacteria, which will help restore beneficial microflora and normalize digestive processes.

Folk remedies for bloating

To treat increased gas formation and bloating at home, you can use time-tested folk recipes:

1. Infusion of dill or fennel seeds.
   To prepare it, 1 tsp. seeds, pour 200 ml of boiling water, leave for 20 minutes, filter. Drink this volume of infusion before each meal for 10 days, after which they take a 7-day break and repeat the course of treatment.
2. Parsley infusion
   . To prepare the remedy, you need to take fresh parsley leaves (a small bunch is enough), chop them, pour a liter of boiling water and leave to infuse for 8 hours. The finished infusion is filtered and taken 1/2 cup after meals.
3. Tea with mint and ginger.
   Mint has soothing properties, and ginger provides anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects. The medicinal drink is prepared from mint leaves and crushed ginger root, taken in equal quantities (1 tsp each). They are poured with 250 ml of boiling water, left for half an hour under a closed lid, filtered and drunk before each meal.

A good remedy that reduces gas formation in the intestines is a decoction of pumpkin seeds, tea with chamomile, St. John's wort or sage, a decoction of bird cherry fruits, leaves of coltsfoot or plantain. In order not to provoke unwanted complications, be sure to consult with your doctor before using traditional recipes.

Diet therapy

Meals for bloating should be fractional. Food should be taken frequently (5-6 times a day), in small portions, preferably at the same time. This will help improve the digestion process and improve the production of digestive enzymes. As a result, food will be better digested, and the processes of fermentation and putrefaction in the intestines, which cause increased gas formation, will decrease. There should be a gap of three hours between meals. Frequent snacks with foods high in fast carbohydrates (confectionery, baked goods) should be avoided, as they increase fermentation in the intestines.

Food must be chewed thoroughly, observing the well-known rule: “While I am eating, I am deaf and dumb.” That is, you should not talk with your mouth full, since air will enter the esophagus, which, mixing with intestinal gases, will cause bloating. Food should be served warm; the preferred methods of heat treatment of dishes are stewing, boiling, steaming. Such dishes, unlike fried ones, are digested faster and do not cause a feeling of heaviness. To prevent constipation, it is recommended to maintain a drinking regime and drink at least 1.5 - 2 liters of liquid per day.

It is useful to include foods that improve intestinal motility in your daily menu. These are boiled or baked vegetables, fruit and vegetable salads, low-fat fermented milk drinks, crumbly cereals, dietary meats, and lean fish.

Eliminate from diet

Products that increase fermentation and cause increased gas formation are excluded from the diet:

• fatty meats (lamb, pork, goose);
• legumes (peas, beans, lentils);
• fresh baked goods, baked goods, confectionery products;
• sweets, chocolate, ice cream;
• whole milk, cream, sour cream;
• raw vegetables with coarse fiber (cabbage, rutabaga, radish, radish)
• fruits and berries (apples, grapes, figs, gooseberries, dates);
• sweet carbonated drinks, kvass;
• alcohol, beer.

You should not eat foods that are incompatible with each other, avoid overeating or prolonged fasting. Following these recommendations, proper rest, sufficient physical activity, and the absence of stress factors will help restore normal digestion and eliminate bloating.

Folk remedies

The following folk recipes help to cope with bloating:

Parsley decoction - pour 20 grams of the fruits of the plant into 1 cup of warm water, steam for about 30 minutes, cool. Strain and consume 1 tbsp 4-5 times a day; Dill water – 1 tbsp of dry dill seeds, pour 1 tbsp of boiling water, leave for 1-2 hours, strain and take 1/4 cup 2-3 times a day; Wormwood decoction - 1 tsp of dry herb, pour 1 tbsp of boiling water, leave for 30 minutes, strain, cool and take 1 tbsp 3 times a day before meals.

If bloating is not caused by poor nutrition, but is a consequence of some disease, then the cause of flatulence itself should be treated by consulting a doctor.

Bloating after eating can occur not only in the presence of diseases of the digestive system, but also in their complete absence. In medicine, this condition is called “flatulence.”

Various factors can lead to discomfort. To eliminate bloating, it is necessary to find out its cause and, if necessary, carry out a comprehensive course of treatment.

Causes of flatulence

Numerous external and internal factors can lead to the accumulation of gas in the abdomen. Some foods have the ability to cause flatulence even when consumed in minimal quantities.

The state of the intestinal microflora plays an important role. At the slightest violation, there is a risk of bloating after eating.

The following factors can cause severe bloating after eating:

excessive psycho-emotional stress (the state of the nervous system directly affects the digestion process, frequent stress and increased mental sensitivity can cause serious disturbances in the absorption of food); frequent consumption of foods that cause flatulence (sweets, cabbage, legumes, as well as other ingredients with a high content of coarse fiber and starch, the ability to be poorly digested and assimilated is also different from fatty foods); abuse of bad habits (alcohol and smoking can cause a significant deviation in the performance of the digestive system, especially in the presence of even minor diseases of the gastrointestinal tract); swallowing air when consuming food and liquid (excessive amounts of air can be caused by talking while eating, quick snacks combined with poor chewing of food, and drinking carbonated drinks while eating);

overeating (especially if foods that are incompatible with each other are consumed, each person’s diet should be balanced; those who follow the rules of fractional meals are least prone to flatulence);

disturbance of the intestinal microflora (the most common cause of bloating and gases after eating is an increase in the number of stomach bacteria that produce hydrogen, carbon dioxide and methane; deviation can occur as a result of poor nutrition or a consequence of diseases of the digestive system); irritable bowel syndrome (flatulence in this case is always accompanied by constipation or diarrhea; this condition can be provoked by both external factors and developing pathologies of the digestive system); consequences of intestinal dysbiosis (this disease is one of the consequences of a violation of the intestinal microflora); intestinal obstruction (this condition can be caused by tumors or polyps in the intestines; it is quite difficult to cure these diseases with medications, so doctors most often use surgical methods).

The cause of flatulence may be individual lactose intolerance. It is not difficult to identify this condition yourself. It is important to pay attention, after eating, what food discomfort occurs. If bloating occurs mainly from dairy products, then the fact of lactose intolerance is obvious.

Common causes of the condition

A feeling of heaviness and pain in the upper abdomen occurs due to the following common diseases and pathologies:

• dysbacteriosis – disturbance of intestinal microflora;
• irritable bowel syndrome – often develops against the background of pathological fatigue and stress;
• intestinal obstruction is a common consequence of other inflammatory diseases, as well as neoplasms;
• malignant tumors;
• chronic pancreatitis;
• problems with digestion and absorption of lactose;
• pyloric stenosis;
• ulcers in the stomach and intestines;
• gastritis, cholecystitis and movement of kidney stones;
• duodenitis.

A much less common cause of bloating and gas with a painful feeling of heaviness develops due to celiac disease. This disease is associated with the problem of digestion and breakdown of gluten, which begins to release toxic substances in the body and irritate the intestinal walls.

Treatment of pathology is carried out by prescribing an appropriate diet, from which all products with gluten are excluded. If it is impossible to completely eliminate foods from the diet, medications - enzymes - are used to break down gluten.

Important! For women, specific symptoms may be a sign of ovulation and the approach of menstruation; they are not considered a pathology. However, it is important to consider that this condition is usually always present, and does not appear suddenly after 10 years of life without such discomfort.

Severe bloating in the upper abdomen, as well as a feeling of fullness and heaviness, can occur at any age. Often observed in children and elderly people. With the prolonged presence of symptoms, we can safely say that there is some pathology that interferes with the normal digestion process.

Causes of heaviness and bloating after eating

Stomach bloating after eating and a feeling of severe heaviness has happened to every person at least once in their life. And there can be a lot of factors why this phenomenon occurs:

• banal overeating during a festive dinner , or under the influence of stress;
• frequent snacking instead of normal meals and eating large quantities of foods full of flavors, preservatives and dangerous fats;
• improper eating process , eating food too quickly and poor chewing. Food not processed with saliva impairs digestion and leads to unpleasant symptoms;
• discomfort may occur after a feast the next day , then too much alcohol and calories can be blamed. Normally, the condition goes away within a day;
• intoxication is another common reason why the stomach becomes bloated, gases and pain occur along with heaviness. Additional symptoms of poisoning are constipation, diarrhea, bitterness in the mouth and constant lethargy;
• heaviness also occurs as a result of an incorrect diet - large portions and meals 1-2 times a day have a bad effect on metabolism. Normally, you need to eat little, but up to 6 times a day;
• consuming foods that irritate the stomach leads to unpleasant symptoms - fast food, alcohol, carbonated and coffee products, processed foods, mushrooms, smoked meats, any fatty foods, legumes;
• abuse of sweet and rich foods, as well as excess fiber and starch when eating potatoes, legumes and rye bread.

Often all these conditions are accompanied by additional sensations - belching and heartburn.

Other causes of heaviness and distension

There is an unpleasant feeling of fullness in the upper abdomen, accompanied by heaviness, and as a result of other reasons. One of the most popular is using baking soda to relieve heartburn. As a result of exposure to the acidic environment of the stomach, the process of food digestion is disrupted, flatulence and other unpleasant symptoms appear.

Another no less radical reason is smoking. Under the influence of smoke, the production of gastric juice deteriorates, blood circulation slows down, and heaviness occurs in the stomach. Often severe belching or even vomiting may occur.

Age and excess weight are common causes of constant stomach discomfort and even pain. With age, digestive processes change, the functioning of all systems is disrupted, bile production and pancreatic function deteriorate. With a decrease in the production of pancreatic juice, the digestion process noticeably suffers, constipation, bloating and nausea appear. And excess weight puts pressure on all organs, which impairs their functioning and contributes to the appearance of flatulence.

Remember! A similar condition – compressed organs and problems with their functioning – can also be observed during pregnancy. Gastric juice is poorly produced.

During pregnancy, you should consult a doctor if after eating you feel very full and have trouble breathing.

Combination of flatulence with other symptoms

Bloating can occur in combination with other unpleasant symptoms. If the cause of this condition is not poor nutrition, overeating or other external factors, then the cause must be sought in the health and abnormalities of the digestive system. Some serious diseases of the gastrointestinal tract manifest themselves in the form of flatulence.

Possible conditions for bloating:

bloating and gas after eating (in addition to poor nutrition, this condition can be caused by parasites in the intestines); bloating and belching after eating (the smell of belching plays an important role in the diagnosis of this condition; such a sign may be accompanied by peptic ulcer, gastritis, impaired outflow of bile, etc.); bloating and nausea after eating (a similar symptom is accompanied by a huge number of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and diseases caused by the accumulation of intestinal parasites); bloating and rumbling in the stomach after eating (this symptom can be provoked by some medications, poor diet, the consequences of stressful situations and some diseases of the digestive system).

Almost all people experience occasional bloating, regardless of their health status. In some cases, this condition is a natural reaction of the body to various factors (for example, overeating, a combination of incompatible foods, nervous tension or talking while eating).

Single symptoms are not a cause for concern, but if you have belching, nausea or vomiting, you should consult a gastroenterologist.

Poor eating habits and poor nutrition

If you eat too quickly, swallowing food in large pieces, air may enter the stomach, which then causes discomfort. Heaviness in the abdomen also often appears in people who are accustomed to drinking cold water during or immediately after meals. It is also worth taking into account the individual characteristics of the body. Some people have individual intolerance to certain foods, or the combination of certain foods with each other can cause bloating.

Sometimes certain mental disorders also cause disorders of the digestive system, which is why abdominal pain, heaviness, bloating and other unpleasant sensations appear.

What diseases can bloating be a sign of?

With the regular appearance of bloating, accompanying symptoms play an important role. In some cases, specialists can make a preliminary diagnosis based on a general examination of the patient and his complaints. Frequent attacks of flatulence should not be ignored under any circumstances.

A similar symptom can be accompanied by serious deviations in the functioning of the digestive tract, which, if the form is advanced, will have to be eliminated surgically.

The following diseases are accompanied by bloating:

hernias (any type of hernia can cause bloating after eating, especially if they are located on the digestive organs); intestinal obstruction (the condition may be a congenital pathology or a consequence of the development of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract); chronic pancreatitis (the disease is the development of an inflammatory process in the pancreas); impaired blood supply to the intestines (the condition becomes a consequence of the development of diseases of the digestive system or the result of surgical intervention in the organs of the gastrointestinal tract); irritable bowel syndrome (the disease is accompanied by abnormal bowel movements, patients experience abdominal discomfort, diarrhea or constipation); tumors (any neoplasm can cause constant bloating); erosive bulbitis (an inflammatory process that develops in the duodenal bulb; the danger of the disease lies in the risk of ulcers); Crohn's disease (patients experience sudden weight loss, blood appears in the stool, the disease is accompanied by diarrhea, bloating and pain in the intestines);

intestinal colitis (a disease in which the inflammatory process affects the mucous membranes of the large intestine; the disease can develop against the background of progressive gastritis);

intestinal dysbiosis (additional symptoms include an unpleasant taste in the mouth, loss of appetite, nausea and general malaise); lactose intolerance (this condition is characterized by individual intolerance to dairy products; the deviation can be inherited and congenital); infectious disease of the intestine (infection can enter the intestine through the esophagus or blood; a diagnosis of infectious diseases can only be made through a comprehensive examination by a specialist); the presence of foreign objects in the intestines (small foreign particles that enter the esophagus or intestines can cause disruption of the digestion process).

An alarming signal is the simultaneous occurrence of bloating and symptoms such as vomiting, nausea, painful spasms, dizziness, belching and increased body temperature. If such signs appear, you should not postpone a visit to the doctor. Only on the basis of a comprehensive examination will it be possible to establish an accurate diagnosis, after which treatment will need to begin as soon as possible.

Diseases accompanied by gas formation in the abdomen

Such diseases include the following disorders in the functioning of the body.

Food allergies

It can occur from eating foods such as citrus fruits, strawberries, honey, chicken eggs, some types of fish and meat. In addition to the appearance of external signs on the skin, stomach upset may occur, which manifests itself in the formation of gases.

Food allergies can be to a number of foods that are included in the daily diet

Constipation, belching and even vomiting may occur. All this can cause intestinal dysbiosis.

Infection with harmful microorganisms

Parasites (giardia, trichomonas and others) can enter the human body with food and water. One of the symptoms of giardiasis is bloating;

Acute gastritis, other gastrointestinal diseases

After long-term treatment with antibiotics, as a result of a decrease in the protective function of the intestinal wall, dysbiosis may occur.

This disease is characterized by bloating of the abdomen, loose stools, in some cases nausea, and lack of appetite . During the period of exacerbation of gastritis, the walls of the stomach become inflamed, a feeling of fullness occurs after eating, problems with stool, and the stomach becomes bloated.

The reasons may lie in one of the gastrointestinal diseases, for example, gastric dyspepsia or “lazy stomach syndrome,” when gastric motility is impaired. In addition to bloating, there is a feeling of fullness in the abdomen, and a metallic taste and smell appears in the mouth.

An unpleasant taste in the mouth is a reason to look for a possible cause of digestive problems.

Intestinal dyspepsia can be caused by dysfunction of the pancreas, lack of bile secretion. If your stomach is bloated two hours after eating, this may be due to intestinal disease . Certain foods cause bloating in the lower abdomen.

Haemorrhoids

This disease is also one of the causes of gas formation. This usually occurs with a sedentary lifestyle, constipation, pregnancy, and physical activity. Abdominal bloating is observed with protruding hemorrhoids.

Celiac disease

It is expressed in the fact that the intestines do not digest foods containing gluten, so food is not completely digested, which also leads to bloating. In children, the first signs of the disease appear after the start of complementary feeding.

Celiac disease is caused by a lack of an enzyme capable of breaking down gluten.

In this case, they try to “destroy” the intestinal cells with the help of receptors, damage to the intestinal epithelium occurs, and the process of digestion and absorption is disrupted. Celiac disease can masquerade as various types of digestive system disease . Symptoms are usually treated.

Lactase deficiency

If the body does not have enough of this enzyme to break down lactose, the sugar found in dairy products, they are not absorbed in the body. One of the symptoms of the disease is bloating and colic.

Bloating in a baby is common.

In a baby, such processes begin to manifest themselves from the first days of life, since the main nutrition is milk;

Psychological reason

Bloating can be possible in case of overexertion, when a person tries to do something or prove something, but he fails;

Rotovirus infection

Provokes the occurrence of unpleasant phenomena in the abdominal area. It is also called “intestinal flu”, which affects the elements of the gastrointestinal tract.

It is important to know! If your stomach is constantly bloated after eating, be sure to determine the reasons for this phenomenon so as not to miss the onset of a serious illness.

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