A bloated stomach is uncomfortable – but it can also be avoided. We reveal here how the annoying complaints arise and what works against them.
Help, bloat!
Who does not know it: we have just had a delicious meal in the restaurant, now our stomach is rumbling, which also feels thick and hard. Such a bloated stomach (meteorism) is very uncomfortable – especially when we are out and about and cannot cuddle up on the sofa with a hot water bottle. If, in addition to the unpleasant feeling of fullness, there is also gas (flatulence), we want to hide from society until our intestinal flora is in balance again.
How does a bloated stomach develop?
A bloated stomach can have various causes, but it is often harmless and can be affected by the Diet lead back. A simple example: You sit on your lunch break and hastily devour a bread roll because it is actually time for the next meeting again. Due to the rush you unfortunately swallow a lot of air in addition to the food. The most common consequence: feeling of fullness and embarrassing belching. However, a small part of the swallowed air also travels further into the digestive tract and then possibly even makes you fart.
Fatty food, which in the worst case is hastily swallowed, can trigger a gas stomach.
© ilolab / Shutterstock
Typical causes of a bloated stomach
The digestion itself
Most of the intestinal gases develop during digestion itself. If stomach and fatty acids are neutralized in the intestine, carbon dioxide (CO2) is produced, for example. Part of the CO2 is exhaled, the second part is mixed with other components such as water, nitrogen, methane, ammonia, sulfur and other fermentation components.
It is this mixture that creates the unpleasant smell when you puff.
Sometimes the intestine reacts sluggishly and constipation occurs. Here a gentle bowel movement can help: Either with appropriate means from the pharmacy or with gentle alternatives, for example a glass of sauerkraut juice.
Flatulent and fatty foods
Also flatulent or fatty foods can lead to meteorism. A bloated stomach is favored, for example, by onions, cabbage and legumes. After consumption, they ensure that more air is created in the intestines. In addition, various Food intolerance, for example a fructose intolerance, driving our digestive tract crazy and causing a bloated stomach. If you are sensitive to such foods, you should only consume them in moderation for your own intestinal health – and not necessarily before an important meeting.
Irritable bowel syndrome as a culprit
If doctors cannot find an organic cause for common digestive problems such as gas and bloating, they usually speak of irritable bowel syndrome, or irritable bowel for short. This is a permanent dysfunction that, according to medical guidelines, lasts for more than three months. In fact, those affected usually have to struggle with irritable bowel symptoms for many years – sometimes for their entire life.
In many cases, however, irritable bowel syndrome can be brought under control with a little time, diet adjustment and possibly drug treatment. For example, those affected are often better off if they eat five to seven small meals instead of three large meals and drink at least 2.5 liters of water a day. Luxury foods such as coffee or alcohol should only be consumed in moderation. The best thing to do is to write down in a food diary what you have eaten and drunk and whether or what symptoms this resulted. In this way, you can gradually determine which foods are better not to be eaten.
Paralyzed bowel
In so-called intestinal paralysis, the muscles of the intestinal wall are paralyzed. Normally, the food is transported through rhythmic movements of the intestinal wall – this process no longer works. The phenomenon usually arises from inflammation in the abdomen, for example appendicitis. Typical symptoms are bloating, nausea and vomiting.
Intestinal paralysis can usually be remedied without surgery. The intestinal contents are suctioned off and fluids, salts in the form of electrolytes and antibiotics are supplied.
Yeasts
Another, but rather rare, reason for a bloated stomach is too high a proportion of Candida yeast fungi (for example Candida albicans) in the intestine. If these start to proliferate, for example due to a weakened immune system, flatulence and constipation, but also diarrhea, can occur. We feel tired and keep putting on weight. Candida also loves sugar – a high consumption of sweet foods ensures that the yeast spreads and increasingly coats the inner walls of the intestines. Candida can be treated with an anti-fungal cure. But a low-sugar diet with lots of vegetables and proteins also deprives the yeast of its growth base.
What bloody stomach sufferers can learn from IBS patients
Even small changes in lifestyle often help to get meteorism under control. The tips that help against irritable bowel syndrome are mostly helpful for those affected by general digestive problems:
- Eat five to seven small meals a day
- Avoidance of flatulent and fatty foods
- Few luxury goods such as coffee or alcohol
- Low in sugar and fructose
Home remedies for the bloated stomach
One gets in particularly gently Treat bloated belly with spices: Cumin or grated ginger not only prevent flatulence, they also give legumes such as beans a pleasant aroma. Anise, fennel or dill seeds on the bread topping also work.
Spices like grated ginger help gently against indigestion
© Gayvoronskaya_Yana / Shutterstock
If the Belly presses and hurts, it is best to try an abdominal massage to relieve the discomfort: To do this, simply apply gentle pressure with your fingertips in a clockwise circular motion over the abdominal wall.
Insider tip: rosemary tea
Three to four cups of tea with rosemary every day help with acute complaints and support intestinal health. To do this you need:
- A teaspoon of rosemary leaves, cut into small pieces
- 150 milliliters of water
Simply pour the water over the leaves, cover and let the tea steep for ten minutes.
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