Stomach bloating: Dr. Oz advises on how to 'beat the bloat'
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Bloating often happens after a big weekend or eating – it’s usually nothing to worry about. Persistent bloating is commonly caused by a digestive problem or issues with a person’s diet. But in some cases, bloating can be a symptom of a more serious condition.
A bloated tummy is sometimes linked to heart failure.
While there are certain symptoms people with heart failure experience more commonly, bloating can be a sign of more severe heart failure.
Congestive symptoms, such as bloating, occur because the heart can no longer pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs, which causes poor blood circulation, explains Michigan Medicine.
It continues: “Abdominal bloating can result from fluid backup in your liver, which makes your abdomen feel swollen or tender, stomach, which causes decreased appetite, bloating, and nausea, and intestines, which causes decreased appetite and poor absorption of medicines and food.”
But the main symptoms of heart failure are listed by the NHS as:
- breathlessness – this may occur after activity or at rest; it may be worse when you’re lying down, and you may wake up at night needing to catch your breath
- fatigue – you may feel tired most of the time and find exercise exhausting
- swollen ankles and legs – this is caused by a build-up of fluid (oedema); it may be better in the morning and get worse later in the day
Less common symptoms include:
- a persistent cough, which may be worse at night
- wheezing
- loss of appetite
- weight gain or weight loss
- confusion
- dizziness and fainting
- a fast heart rate
- a pounding, fluttering or irregular heartbeat (palpitations)
If you experience persistent or gradually worsening symptoms of heart failure see your GP.
In most cases, bloating is caused by eating certain foods, such as beans, onions, broccoli, cabbage and sprouts.
While you should make sure to eat five portions of fruit and vegetables a day, cutting down on the bloat-inducing foods may help.
Swallowing air is another common cause. The NHS advises: “Try not to swallow too much air.
“Do not talk and eat at the same time, sit down to eat (sitting upright and not slumped over), reduce the amount of fizzy drinks you consume, stop chewing gum and chew with your mouth closed so that you’re not taking in excess air.”
In some cases bloating is caused by a flood intolerance.
The most common foods to cause problems are wheat or gluten and dairy products.
If you have a good intolerance you should consider eating less of the problem food or cutting it out completely.
Before doing this, you should keep a diary for a couple of weeks, noting everything you eat and drink and when you experience bloating.
Before getting rid of food groups long-term speak with your GP.
If your bloating symptoms persist, also speak to your GP so they can rule out a more serious condition.
The NHS warns: “Bloating and a persistent feeling of fullness are key symptoms of ovarian cancer.”
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