Abdominal Edema – Causes And Treatment

Many wish for a flat stomach that would not prevent them from wearing even the tightest clothes. However, bloating is not only an aesthetic ailment, but it can also signal problems with the body. If your stomach swells frequently, it may be the result of poor health.

Not only is bloating, it can be a sign of some more serious problem in your body. Abdominal edema may be associated with, for example,  Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). However, this is only one possible cause of abdominal edema. Experts say it’s important to be aware of the factors that negatively affect your body – this way you can prevent this annoying disorder from occurring.

Here are some of the most common causes of bloating. We will also find out how a swollen stomach should be treated and how you prevent the emergence of bigger health problems.

Abdominal edema – causes

Constipation

Constipation is one of the most common causes of a swollen stomach. If your diet consists of a  low-fiber diet, and you drink too little water and do little exercise, constipation can easily result from poor living.  To avoid bloating, you should eat plenty of  fruits, vegetables, legumes and seeds. You should remember to drink plenty of water as well as exercise daily for at least half an hour.

Allergies

There are a wide variety of food allergies that many people suffer from. Some of these allergies may cause bloating. For example, lactose  is a common cause of bloating because it accumulates gas in the body. If you are allergic to lactose, products containing lactose should be avoided and lactose-free yoghurts, cheeses and milk should be used instead.

Eating in a hurry

Poor eating habits can also cause bloating, such as eating in a hurry. At the same time, when you eat in a hurry, you swallow too much air, which leads to a decrease in digestive function. Therefore, it is recommended to eat food slowly while enjoying your meal. The feeling of hunger will also be satisfied more quickly when you eat in peace. When you are not greedy, you also eat less food.

One probable cause of abdominal edema, often associated with other types of ailments, is pregnancy. If you think you may be pregnant, take a pregnancy test. It determines if there is pregnancy-related abdominal edema or if the abdominal edema is due to some other factor.

Accumulation of fluid in the body

If you have more fluid in your body than usual, your stomach will swell. If you have fluid build-up in your body, talk to your doctor, as bloating due to fluid build-up in your body may be a symptom of a more serious problem. Your doctor will give you more detailed instructions on how to proceed.

Processed food

Processed food swells your stomach. Many medical experts who specialize in the functioning of the digestive system confirm that air accumulates in the stomachs of some people because they eat too many artificially sweetened foods. Generally, such foods are high in sodium and low in fiber, causing bloating. Therefore, experts recommend that you buy food that contains little or no sodium.

Diseases

Swelling of the abdomen may also be due to the disease. Such diseases include e.g. cardiovascular diseases and their tumors, cirrhosis of the liver, appendicitis, gastric ulcers, diverticulosis, inflammation of the colon, inflammation of the pancreas and premenstrual syndrome, or PMS.

If you have one or more of the above conditions, you should pay particular attention to your medical condition and contact your doctor. You definitely need an accurate diagnosis so you can rule out any risks. In addition, you should adopt a healthy lifestyle,  both in terms of exercise and diet and relaxation. 

Finally, we remind you that bloating is usually the result of an unhealthy diet or poor lifestyle.  So we recommend that you eat a high-fiber diet – your stomach will thank you for it. Fruits and vegetables are also good for your digestion. These tips will help you get rid of bloating as well as aim for a flatter stomach – if that’s what you want.