Abdominal pain and bloating

When a person feels like his or her abdomen has expanded or is full that is the case of abdominal bloating. A lot of people cannot tell the difference between abdominal bloating and abdominal swelling. Abdominal swelling is when the abdomen actually increases in size because of several reasons while bloating is just a feeling a person has that his or her stomach is tight. A lot of people experience abdominal pain and bloating and there is no specific age that gets affected by it.

Causes of abdominal pain and bloating

A couple of factors can induce an abdominal bloating. However, most of them are not serious. It is usually some disorder in the gastrointestinal system that causes it.

IndigestionNot all foods are digested easily and there are those that need a really long time to get digested. An excessive intake of fiber and protein rich foods can lead to abdominal pain and bloating. People who are lactose intolerant are bound to have problems with abdominal pain and bloating. It is because these people do not have an enzyme called lactase in the body their abdomen bloats when they intake milk or milk products.

Irritable bowel syndromeThe cause of this disorder of the intestinal tract remains unknown. Diarrhea and constipation are almost always present when there is an IBS. Abdominal pain and bloating are known symptoms of IBS and experts say that stress and anxiety are bound to make the situation even worse. There are certain treatments that can ease the discomfort this disorder makes.

ConstipationConstipation is considered to be a huge perpetrator behind abdominal pain and bloating. When a person's bowels do not move properly or easily then it is considered that a person suffers from constipation. Constipation usually occurs when a person does not intake enough amounts of fiber.

AerophagiaWhen a person involuntarily and excessively swallows certain amounts of air it is called aerophagia. This can lead to flatulence and belching which are usually followed by abdominal pain and bloating. People who eat too fast suffer from it.

Apart from these disorders a person can suffer from abdominal pain and bloating because of partial bowel obstruction, menstruation, gallstones and some other disorders.

Treatment for abdominal pain and bloating

First of all a person should check if it is something in his or her diet that causes it. Smaller and frequent meals are recommendable. A person should always talk to a doctor before going on some diet. However, if a person suffers from diarrhea, weight loss or bleeding while he or she is having abdominal bloating, he or she should go to the hospital straight away.