In addition, your stool remains in the intestine longer, which allows bacteria to release more gas. Some people report additional symptoms, including nausea and back pain related to their bloating and constipation. An estimated 30 percent of the adult general population experiences bloating. Bloating does more than just make it harder to zip up your jeans. It causes abdominal discomfort, pain, and anxiety that can affect your quality of life. Doctors can also prescribe medications that help treat constipation.
These include lubiprostone Amitiza and linaclotide Linzess. If you have other medical conditions that may affect your ability to have regular bowel movements, doctors can prescribe medications and therapies, such as pelvic floor retraining.
There are several lifestyle changes you can make that can help you prevent constipation-related bloating:. There are many contributing factors that can lead to a buildup of excess gas in your digestive tract. You should talk with your doctor or other healthcare provider about your constipation and constipation-related bloating if you have the following symptoms:.
You may have an underlying medical condition, such as irritable bowel syndrome. While this is a chronic condition, it can be managed with lifestyle changes and medication. Your healthcare provider will be able to recommend different treatments that can help you address your specific symptoms.
Many women experience alterations in their bowel habits and abdominal symptoms at various points in their monthly menstrual cycle. Typically, women feel bloated and constipated pre-menstrual, and have looser stools during their menses. Learn about the healthcare needs of women and live your best life. It is common for women to feel bloated before their period, and for some women this may continue into the early part of their period as well. This is associated with changing levels of the hormones progesterone and oestrogen that cause the body to retain more water and salt.
This is what causes the sensation of bloating. Other factors that may make bloating worse include high consumption of salt, caffeine and alcohol. Among them is the increased production of prostaglandins, a hormone-like chemical. It assists in the contraction of the uterus, which is felt as menstrual cramps. Similarly, high levels of prostaglandins also cause the bowels to contract, which can cause diarrhoea. Some women experience constipation instead. This may be caused by rising levels of progesterone, which slows down your digestive system.
Women who also have conditions like irritable bowel syndrome IBS or endometriosis may be particularly affected. While these symptoms you experience around your period are normal due to hormonal fluctuations, in women who suffer from IBS, these symptoms and bowel changes can be much more severe. Unlike gastroenteritis, where a patient falls ill and recovers quickly, IBS is a chronic condition that can last for years.
Women who have IBS tend to experience symptoms around the time of their period, or experience more symptoms then. This is due to fluctuating hormone levels that have an impact on the gastrointestinal GI system, making GI symptoms more severe. There is no single cause, and some or all of these factors interact together to result in the symptoms of IBS.
There is no single test for IBS, and the diagnosis is made by your doctor, based on your symptoms. Sometimes, additional diagnostic tests such as endoscopy, scans or blood tests may be necessary to exclude other conditions. In an endoscopy or upper endoscopy, your doctor will insert a long, flexible tube down your throat and into your oesophagus, which has a camera attached to its end.
This is called an endoscope and your doctor will use it to inspect the upper digestive tract. It is also possible to take tissue samples during an endoscopy if your doctor wishes to rule out other conditions. Your doctor may also recommend a blood test to rule out celiac disease, which produces symptoms that are similar to IBS.
A breath test can help to check for bacterial overgrowth in the intestines, or to test for what foods you may be intolerant to. If you have chronic diarrhoea, a stool test may be recommended to check for bacteria, parasites or bile acid. Treatment for IBS will depend on the severity of the symptoms you experience and often include the use of medication and approaches to address and correct the underlying factors.
Your doctor may also recommend medication to control the symptoms and reduce the sensitivity of the nerve endings. Lifestyle changes can help. These include learning how to manage stress and making an effort to regulate your diet. It is also important to identify and avoid your triggers, as triggers can differ from person to person.
Probiotics are also useful in restoring the balance of microflora in the gut, and have been shown to improve symptoms of abdominal pain and bloating in IBS patients. Studies have shown that women tend to have a slightly slower colon transit time the time it takes for food to travel through the colon than men, resulting in a higher chance of developing constipation.
Many women believe that constipation refers to a decreased frequency of defecation, but it can also present as hard stools and having to strain to pass stool. Whilst in most cases constipation can be addressed by dietary changes and drinking more water, there are cases when further intervention is necessary.
These may involve the need for endoscopy or scans to exclude structural lesions or tests to determine the rate of transit in the colon.
Treatment may involve the use of laxatives, or some of the newer medications, to speed up the rate of transit of digested food in the colon. Sometimes these symptoms can cause problems or pain.
Bloating is a sensation of belly fullness. Sometimes your belly looks bigger, but not always. People with bloating do not necessarily have too much gas in their stomach, but they are often much more sensitive to stomach symptoms. Belching or burping is usually caused by swallowing too much air, eating or drinking too fast, drinking carbonated or caffeinated drinks, smoking, or a nervous habit.
Flatulence [FLAA-chu-lentz] is the release of excess gas in the colon. It is usually related to your diet. Most of the time, one or more of these disorders—irritable bowel syndrome, dyspepsia, or chronic constipation—are the cause of gas, bloating, and belching. Gas, bloating, and belching are not typical symptoms of cancer or other dangerous conditions, even if you also have abdominal pain, diarrhea, or constipation. However, you should let your doctor know if you are losing weight, having fevers, or bleeding.
These symptoms can be more serious. Although anxiety, depression, and stressful life events do not cause these conditions, they may make the symptoms worse and harder to treat. Even severe symptoms usually improve over time with diet and lifestyle changes. Your doctor can help you decide which treatments are best for you.
Diet: Eat and drink more slowly to swallow less air. As you increase your fiber, make sure to drink plenty of water or clear liquids, such as broth. Doing so will help soften the foods you eat so you can pass your stool easier. The next time you run to the grocery, grab over-the-counter stool softeners or fiber supplements.
Be sure to follow the instructions on the label and again, drink plenty of water to help you flush your system. Regular exercise helps your body run more efficiently. It can also help tone the walls of your large intestine to help you move stool through. Women may experience bloating, abdominal pain and cramps just before and during their period.
This is normal and usually due to hormonal changes that regulate the menstrual cycle. The American Heart Association recommends limiting salt intake to 2, grams per day. This is equal to about 1 teaspoon of salt. Challenge yourself to flavor foods with herbs such as oregano and thyme, or natural acids such as lemon and lime. Fill a water bottle and sip on it throughout the day.
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