A thick belly is uncomfortable – but also avoidable. How the annoying complaints arise and what helps against it, we reveal here.
Help, inflated belly!
Who does not know: We have just deliciously feasted in the restaurant, now rumbling the stomach, which feels to it thick and hard. Such a bloated stomach (meteorism) is very unpleasant – especially when we are on the move and can not cuddle on the sofa with a hot water bottle. If the unpleasant feelings of fullness then flatulence (flatulence) come, we want to hide from any society until our intestinal flora is back in balance.
How does an inflamed stomach develop?
An abdominal belly can have various causes, but often it is rather harmless and can be attributed to the diet . A simple example: You sit in the lunch break and devour hastily a roll, because it is already time for the next meeting. By the hurry you swallow besides the food unfortunately also much air. The most common consequence: bloating and embarrassing belching. But a small part of the swallowed air will continue to migrate into the digestive tract and may even make you fart.
Typical causes of a swollen abdomen
The digestion itself
Most of the intestinal gases develop during digestion itself. When stomach and fatty acids in the intestine are neutralized, for example, carbon dioxide (CO2) is produced. The CO2 is partially exhaled, the second part mixes with other components, such as water and nitrogen, methane, ammonia, sulfur and other Gährungskomponenten.
It is this mixture that causes the unpleasant odor during puffing.
Sometimes the intestine also reacts sluggishly and constipations occur. Gentle defecation can help here: either with appropriate funds from the pharmacy or with gentle alternatives, for example a glass of sauerkraut juice.
Bloating and fat foods
Even bloating or fatty foods can lead to meteorism. An inflated belly is favored for example by onions, cabbage and legumes. After being consumed, they ensure that more and more air is produced in the intestine. In addition, various food intolerances, such as fructose intolerance, can make our digestive tract go crazy and cause bloating. Those who are sensitive to such foods should only eat them in moderation for their own intestinal health – and not necessarily before an important meeting.
Irritable bowel syndrome as malefactor
When doctors do not find any organic cause of frequent indigestion such as flatulence and bloating, they usually talk about irritable bowel syndrome, or irritable bowel. This is a permanent malfunction that persists for more than three months, according to the medical guidelines. In fact, sufferers usually have irritable bowel problems for many years – sometimes even their entire lives.
In many cases, the irritable bowel syndrome, however, with a little time, a nutritional adjustment and possibly a drug treatment get under control. For example, sufferers are often better off eating five to seven smaller people instead of three large meals and drinking at least 2.5 liters of water a day. Stimulants such as coffee or alcohol should only be consumed in moderation. It is best to write down in a food diary what you have eaten and drunk and whether or which symptoms had the consequence. This will gradually determine the foods that should not be eaten.
Paralyzed intestine
In a so-called intestinal paralysis, the muscles of the intestinal wall is paralyzed. Normally, the food is transported by rhythmic movements of the intestinal wall – this process does not work anymore. The phenomenon is usually caused by inflammation in the abdomen, for example in appendicitis. Typical symptoms include bloating, nausea and vomiting.
An intestinal paralysis can usually be repaired without surgery. The intestinal contents are aspirated and liquids, salts in the form of electrolytes and antibiotics are supplied.
Yeast
Another, but rather rare, reason for a bloated abdomen is an excessive amount of candida yeasts (for example, Candida albicans) in the gut. These begin to proliferate, for example, by a broken immune system, flatulence and constipation, but also diarrhea occur. We feel tired and are steadily increasing. In addition, Candida loves sugar – a high consumption of sweet food thus ensures that the yeast fungus spreads and increasingly covers the intestinal inner walls. Candida can be treated with a medicinal anti-fungal treatment. But even a low-sugar diet with plenty of vegetables and proteins deprives the yeast fungus growth basis.
What swollen abdomen sufferers can learn from irritable bowel patients
Often, small changes in lifestyle help to control meteorism. The tips that help against irritable bowel syndrome are also mostly helpful for sufferers of general digestive problems:
- Eat five to seven small meals a day
- Waiver of bloating and fatty food
- Few luxury foods such as coffee or alcohol
- Little sugar and fructose
Home remedy for the abdominal belly
Gently treat a bloated abdomen with spices : Cumin or grated ginger not only prevent bloating, they also give legumes such as beans a pleasant aroma. Aniseed, fennel or dill seeds on the toppings also work.
When the stomach hurts and hurts, it is best to try a stomach massage to relieve the discomfort: simply swipe gently with your fingertips in a circular motion, clockwise over the abdominal wall.
Insider tip: Rosemary tea
Three to four cups of rosemary tea daily help with acute ailments and support intestinal health. You need:
- A teaspoon of rosemary leaves, cut into small pieces
- 150 milliliters of water
Just cover the leaves with water, cover and let the tea soak for ten minutes.