Stomach bloating is a common condition that affects most people at some point in their lifetime. It can make the stomach feel swollen, puffy, and generally uncomfortable, said the NHS. Your bloating pain may be caused by eating certain gassy foods, or by eating too fast or too much. But when should you speak to a doctor about your stomach bloating?
Bloating and swelling of the abdomen can signify a severe medical condition
Medical News Today
Severe bloating pain could be caused by something more serious, warned medical website Medical News Today.
Liver disease, kidney problems and even heart failure could all be causing your stomach bloating.
You should speak to a doctor if your bloating pain won’t go away, it said.
Any stomach bloating that lasts for days on end, or even weeks, should be seen by a medical professional.
“Although it is not common, bloating and swelling of the abdomen can signify a severe medical condition.
“Liver disease, inflammatory bowel disease, heart failure, kidney problems, and some types of cancer can cause bloating.
“Bloating that continues for days or weeks may indicate a health issue that needs medical attention.
“It is advisable to speak to a doctor about ongoing bloating that does not go away over time.
“Ultimately, the outlook for bloating depends on the underlying cause. Most of the time, bloating is due to minor issues that lifestyle changes or over-the-counter treatments can resolve.”
You should also speak to a doctor if your bloating pain is accompanied by appetite changes, diarrhoea, or unexplained weight loss.
Finding bright red blood in your stools could also be a sign of something more serious, it warned.
Your bloating pain could be caused by constipation, trapped wind, irritable bowel syndrome, or even by swallowing too much air.
You could swallow air by drinking through a straw, talking with your mouth full of food, or even by chewing gum.
People are more likely to feel bloated after a big weekend – especially around the festive season.
But certain foods could also be triggering your bloating pain. Apricots contain sugar alcohols that aren’t properly digested in some people.
Other foods that could lead to trapped wind include apples, onions, garlic and mushrooms.
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