Extreme Bloating
Bloating Is A Common Condition, Extreme Bloating Is Not
Extreme bloating is not only uncomfortable, but bears watching. Extreme bloating may make the stomach or lower abdomen appear significantly larger, or it may consist of bloating which, while not quite as severe, is nevertheless quite frequent. In either case, one approach to dealing with extreme bloating is to try to understand what causes it in the first place. Given this understanding, perhaps severe episodes of bloating can be lessened in frequency and severity, or done away with completely. We all experience bloating, but it usually results in mild discomfort or a feeling of sluggishness.
Diet Is A Common Cause - Extreme bloating could be caused by diet, most bloating is. Our diet is something we usually have control over, or at least some control. Bloating is due to the presence of excessive air or gas, and some foods produce more gas than others. Some foods can produce a lot of gas. If you pay attention to what you're eating, you may be able to tell what foods are most apt to cause bloating. Try avoiding those foods, and see if there is an overall improvement. You may have to go without some foods you really like, but in the case of extreme bloating, it may be worth it, at least until you can find an acceptable substitute. Dark leafy green vegetables, cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower, as well as beans, are notorious gas producers, so looking in that direction may be a start. What is happening in your body is the enzymes responsible for digesting food cannot digest some types of food as efficiently as others. This leaves undigested or partially digested food for bacteria to work on and finish the job. These happy bacteria go to work, producing gas as a waste product, resulting in bloating, flatulence, and other problems.
Other causes of bloating are carbonated drinks and swallowing air. Some of us swallow air when smoking, chewing gum, or eating, and don't even realize it. These causes may be a little more difficult to zero in on as swallowing air is something that is second nature for most of us. Lactose intolerance is yet another cause of bloating. So it's apparent that looking into one's dietary habits is at least a step towards dealing with extreme bloating.
It Isn't All In The Diet - Not all bloating, extreme or otherwise, is diet related. Women are much more prone to the condition than are men. Bloating often is experienced as part of the menstrual cycle. Women who have gone through menopause and are on hormone replacement therapy are probably as susceptible to bloating, and to extreme bloating, as anyone.
Extreme Bloating Is Best Looked In To - Extreme bloating can sometimes be symptomatic of a specific disorder, with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) being one of the most common of these. Acid reflux disease, stomach ulcers, or any inflammation of the digestive tract can result in bloating, as can liver or gall bladder problems.
Extreme bloating is not a condition that one should ignore, probably a difficult thing to do, or simply be tolerated. While most instances of bloating are rather normal, being tied in with our food consumption practices and habits, extreme bloating should not be regarded as a normal condition, as it can be symptomatic of some other condition that demands treatment.
Examination and testing, such as by ultrasound or an endoscopy, may be necessary to find the cause behind the bloating, and certainly should be considered. Hopefully any underlying disorder can be successfully treated, and the by product of that disorder, the bloating, will then go away on its own. Even if no underlying cause is found, your doctor may be able to prescribe a treatment that will make your situation more bearable.