Stomach bloating: Your swelling could signify this underlying condition – are you at risk?
Stomach bloating is an all too familiar complaint in the UK. The feeling like the tummy is on the brink of bursting usually follows a binge on gassy foods and fizzy drinks. The pain typically subsides after a couple of hours, but if it is accompanied by other symptoms – it may signify an underlying condition. A certain infection can cause the belly to bloat.
Giardiasis is a tummy bug that can causes bloating, alongside symptoms associated with the condition such as diarrhoea and farting.
It usually goes away in about a week if it’s treated, but can sometimes last much longer.
Giardia infection is caused by a microscopic parasite that is found worldwide, especially in areas with poor sanitation and unsafe water.
It usually goes away in about a week if it’s treated, but can sometimes last much longer.
Some people with giardia infection never develop signs or symptoms but may still carry the parasite and can spread it to others through their stool, said Mayo Clinic.
For those who do get sick, signs and symptoms usually appear one to three weeks after exposure and may include:
- Watery, sometimes foul-smelling diarrhoea that may alternate with soft, greasy stools
- Fatigue or malaise
- Abdominal cramps and bloating
- Gas or flatulence
- Nausea
- Weight loss
You can become infected if small bits of poo from an infected person get in your mouth
NHS
According to the NHS, There are lots of ways you can catch giardiasis, such as:
- Drinking water that hasn’t been treated to kill germs (usually while travelling in developing countries)
- Water getting in your mouth while swimming in places like lakes, rivers or swimming pools
- Eating food that’s been washed in untreated water or handled by someone with the infection
- Touching surfaces that have been touched by an infected person
- Having sex – especially unprotected anal sex
“You can become infected if small bits of poo from an infected person get in your mouth,” added the health body.
According to the Mayo Clinic, drinking contaminated water is the most common way to become infected with the tummy bug: “Giardia parasites are found in lakes, ponds, rivers and streams worldwide, as well as in municipal water supplies, wells, cisterns, swimming pools, water parks and spas. Ground and surface water can become contaminated from agricultural runoff, wastewater discharge or animal faeces. Children in diapers and people with diarrhoea may accidentally contaminate pools and spas.”
Treatment may involve sending off a sample of your poo for tests to check if you have giardiasis, said the NHS. If the infection is confirmed, it’s treated with antibiotics for a few days.
If the infection is confirmed, it’s treated with antibiotics for a few days. Symptoms should stop in about a week, but they can sometimes last longer, added the health site.
While you’re recovering, the health body recommends heeding the following advice:
- Drink lots of fluids to avoid dehydration, such as water and squash – if you’re well hydrated, your pee should be light yellow or clear
- Give your baby breast or bottle feeds as usual if you or your baby are ill
- Wash your hands with soap and water frequently
- Wash dirty clothing and bedding separately on a hot wash
- Clean toilet seats, flush handles, taps, surfaces and door handles every day
Stomach bloating can also be a sign of constipation: “A condition defined by fewer than three bowel movements per week, hard or dry stools, the need to strain to move the bowels, and a sense of an incomplete evacuation,” explained Harvard Health.
According to Dr. Staller: “If you’re not emptying your gut, there’s no room in your abdomen, and you’ll have excess bloating.”
Other underlying causes of bloating include:
- Irritable bowel syndrome, a condition characterised by a combination of symptoms (bloating, cramping, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, or constipation) that last for three or more months.
- Inflammatory bowel disease, an inflammation of the lining of the gastrointestinal tract, including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
- Celiac disease, an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the small intestine. It’s triggered by a protein called gluten that’s found in wheat, barley, and rye.
- Gastroparesis, a sluggish emptying of food from the stomach into the small intestine.
- Cancer. Colon, ovarian, stomach, and pancreatic cancer are among the cancers that can have bloating as a symptom.
Bloating, and a persistent feeling of fullness, are telltale signs of ovarian cancer, added the NHS.
“If your bloating symptoms persist, consult your GP to rule out a more serious condition. Bloating, and a persistent feeling of fullness, are telltale signs of ovarian cancer,” it advised.
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