See a GP if: you've been feeling bloated for 3 weeks or more. you feel bloated regularly (more than 12 times a month) you've tried changing your diet but keep feeling bloated.
You should see a doctor if you have gas and bloating along with any of these symptoms: Blood or mucus in your stool. Changing your eating habits didn't help. Chronic or frequent diarrhea, constipation, or vomiting.
Although a bloated stomach is a common symptom that is not harmless, it can actually be a sign of something serious. A bloated stomach that lasts longer than 2 weeks after taking medications, weight loss, pale skin, loss of appetite and yellowing of the skin can be warning signs of cancer.
You probably don't need to see a doctor for occasional bloating or gas. But some conditions that cause bloating, gas, and abdominal pain can be very serious — even life-threatening. That's why it's so important to consult with your doctor if: OTC remedies or changes in eating habits don't help.
What is bloating? Bloating is a feeling that your tummy is overly full or stretched. You may also have cramps, burping, diarrhoea, constipation, swelling and a lot of gas. It happens when the organs of your digestive system are stretched, for example when liquid, gas or solids pool in part of your gut.
Abdominal bloating is usually nothing to worry about and generally can be attributed to poor diet, intolerance, or a gut problem. Some people notice that their belly looks swollen or misshapen or may experience sharp stomach pain or abdominal pain.
When bloat occurs, the stomach begins to expand and then rotates, twisting off the blood flow to the stomach and closing off the entrance and exit from the stomach. Once the stomach is twisted, it will rapidly expand, causing immense pain, non-productive vomiting and retching, poor blood pressure, collapse and shock.
Bloating can also be a sign of other cancers, like breast, pancreatic, colon, and stomach cancer if cancer appears along the lining of the abdominal cavity, said Dr. Cobb.
The list of organic disorders that can cause bloating and distension also includes celiac disease, pancreatic insufficiency, prior gastroesophageal surgery (such as fundoplication or bariatric procedures), gastric outlet obstruction, gastroparesis, ascites, gastrointestinal or gynecologic malignancy, hypothyroidism, ...
Call your doctor if your abdomen is getting bigger, or if you have other symptoms that accompany the swelling, such as fever or nausea. Seek medical care if you have extreme diarrhea or blood in your stool. If you find that you're unable to eat or drink for more than eight hours, tell your doctor.
When your stomach swells and feels hard, the explanation might be as simple as overeating or drinking carbonated drinks, which is easy to remedy. Other causes may be more serious, such as an inflammatory bowel disease. Sometimes the accumulated gas from drinking a soda too quickly can result in a hard stomach.
Many people who experience endo belly say they “look pregnant,” even though they're not. Endo belly is just one symptom of endometriosis. Those who experience endo belly often have other gastrointestinal symptoms, such as: gas pain.
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.
Physical exercise can help reduce bloating and clear gas from the body. Posture adjustment can also help. The body retains more gas when you are lying on your back, so try to stay active throughout the day. Both simethicone (Gas X) and activated charcoal are marketed as gas-reducers.
Large meals and foods high in salt or fat may contribute to bloating by increasing the production and retention of gas and water in your bowels. Limiting your portion sizes and your intake of foods high in salt and fat may relieve symptoms.
Stomach cancer, also called gastric cancer, can happen in any part of the stomach. However, in the U.S., most stomach cancers occur in the gastroesophageal junction, which is where the esophagus - the tube that carries chewed up food - meets the stomach.
You might have a swollen tummy (abdomen) if your cancer has spread to the tissue that lines your abdomen (peritoneum). The swelling is due to a build up of fluid called ascites. It can make your clothes feel tighter. Your tummy might feel bloated.
A doctor may examine a person's abdomen when lying down and standing. The shape of the abdomen may suggest that it contains fluid rather than fat. A person with ascites may also have a distended abdomen, which is hard and swollen. They may also experience rapid changes in weight and body shape.
Ongoing bloating is not normal and may have many causes, so you should call your doctor if you feel bloating every day. Bloating is a chronic and bothersome condition for a large minority of the population. Anywhere from an estimated 16% to 31% of us have bloating and distension.
Bloating, nausea, and tiredness can occur due to a wide range of causes. Temporary explanations can include eating rich or salty meals, eating too much, or short-term stress. Longer-term causes include conditions such as IBS, SIBO, and gastroparesis.
Stress belly is the extra abdominal fat that accumulates as the result of chronic or prolonged stress. Although stress belly is not a medical diagnosis, it is a term used to describe the way that stress and stress hormones impact your midsection.
The most common causes are trapped gas or eating too much in a short time. The sensation of bloating can cause abdominal distention, which is a visible swelling or extension of your belly.
If your tummy still looks pregnant, many months or even years after you've had your babies, this could be due to diastasis recti (abdominal separation). A diastasis may cause your stomach to 'dome' or bulge, especially during certain movements like getting up from lying on your back.