What is the difference between bloating and weight gain? In many cases, bloating is confused with weight gain. First, bloating is a temporary build-up of gas in the digestive tract. Second, bloating can distend the abdomen. Weight gain, on the other hand, is caused by excess body fat or muscle mass. However, you may gain weight and develop abdominal bloating. In this article, we will tell you about the relationship between flatulence and weight gain.
Causes of Bloating
Bloating is usually caused by the buildup of gas in the digestive tract. The swollen stomach feels full, tense, uncomfortable, or sometimes painful. Bloating is a temporary condition usually caused by some foods you eat, especially foods that are difficult for the stomach to digest.
The most common causes include:
- Eat foods rich in dietary fiber, such as lentils, beans, and vegetables such as cabbage and broccoli.
- Sugar and lactose intolerance.
- Bacterial overgrowth.
- Constipation.
- Swallowing air due to fast eating, drinking soft drinks, and chewing gum.
Medical conditions that cause bloating
In some cases, bloating may be a symptom of another medical condition, such as:
- pelvic inflammation
- Irritable bowel syndrome.
- Bowel or bladder obstruction.
- Autoimmune diseases such as scleroderma.
Often, many people confuse bloating with excess belly fat. However, there is a big difference between them as both of them can make the belly look bigger.
Difference between bloating and weight gain:
Belly fat is often the first sign of being overweight. However, bloating can be caused by gas and is not necessarily a result of fat accumulation.
Swelling
- It is found only in the stomach and expands due to excess gas.
- You feel sad in your stomach
- As soon as the gases come out, the abdominal volume decreases and it is not stable.
- It may cause pain and discomfort in the abdominal area.
- Body weight is not affected
Weight Gain
- Commonly, you’ll notice excess fat in the abdomen, thighs, buttocks, and back.
- The stomach feels soft and spongy.
- It is stable and forms slowly.
- Painless
- Body weight increases.
In some cases, stomach bloating can also be caused by excessive salt consumption, which causes water retention. In women, you may notice bloating just before and during your menstrual cycle, as the body retains water or due to constipation.
Signs that bloating is caused by water retention in the body
Water retention can make you feel heavy and bloated. The following are signs that indicate water retention in the body, such as:
- Constant feeling of bloating in the abdominal area.
- Swelling of the face, abdomen and hips.
- Swelling of the feet, legs and ankles.
- joint stiffness
- Fluctuations and changes in body weight.
- Wrinkle skin pressure on skin for one minute.
In many cases, bloating symptoms can be minimized or prevented by changing your lifestyle habits.
Ways to prevent bloating at home
- Eat foods rich in protein and complex carbohydrates.
- Eat food slowly and chew food properly.
- Reduce your intake of alcoholic beverages.
- Avoid excessive consumption of foods such as lentils, beans and vegetables from the cabbage family.
- To avoid swallowing air, do not chew gum or drink water through a straw.
Long-term solutions to prevent and treat bloating
- Take probiotics: Probiotics contain gut-friendly bacteria and can help improve digestion and prevent bloating. Foods rich in probiotics include yoghurt, curd, kefir, sauerkraut, pickles and kombucha.
- Reducing salt intake: Excess sodium causes water retention in the body, which leads to a feeling of bloating in the abdomen and other parts of the body, such as the hands and feet. Reducing salt intake can get rid of bloating.
Treatment and medications for bloating
If you constantly feel bloated, it is best to consult a doctor. The doctor will diagnose the causes of bloating and offer you an appropriate treatment plan. Additionally, the doctor may ask the patient to perform tests such as endoscopy, breathing test, and imaging of the small intestine to diagnose the exact cause.
Depending on the results, the doctor may recommend appropriate medications, diet and lifestyle changes, laxatives, antispasmodics and antibiotics.
Warning signs that should not be ignored in case of severe bloating
If any of these symptoms occur, you should consult a doctor immediately:
weight loss
If you notice sudden weight loss and bloating without making changes to diet and exercise. You should consult a doctor. It may be due to tumors or overgrowths that put pressure on the intestines, causing you to feel bloated or full after eating small amounts of food.
Severe abdominal pain;
Severe abdominal pain and bloating accompanied by nausea and vomiting may indicate an intestinal obstruction. This requires immediate medical attention to prevent various complications. This can be very painful because the intestines are above the blocked area, which expands as it fills with food and digestive fluids, causing severe pain and discomfort.
Appearance of blood in the stool or vaginal bleeding
Pathological conditions such as vaginal bleeding between menstrual periods, blood in the stool, or vaginal bleeding after menopause are associated with severe cases of bloating. Therefore, a doctor should be consulted immediately to rule out the possibility of developing digestive diseases and cancer, especially uterine or colon cancer.
Edema
Ascites refers to a condition that causes fluid to accumulate in the abdominal cavity or pelvic area, resulting in bloating and weight gain. Additionally, ascites can indicate serious complications such as liver disease, kidney failure, and cancer.