Lactose Intolerance, IBS, Hormones, Treatment And Remedies. So Your Tummy Is Bloated.. While most women experience the sensation of a bloated tummy at some point in their life, many will experience the condition on a regular basis. A bloated stomach causes a feeling of fullness, even if you have not eaten. It may also cause a tummy ache and cramping. Bloating can be caused by lots of different things, from eating certain foods that cause you to produce excess gas to a shift in hormones levels (just before your period for example) to allergies (such as lactose intolerance) and more serious illnesses like cancer. Causes Of Bloating. The following is a list of some common, and less common causes: 1. Menstrual Period. Many women experience a bloated tummy and slight weight gain about 3 to 5 days before each menstrual period begins. The exact cause for this is unknown although it is generally thought to be linked to changes in hormone levels (estrogen and progesterone). Estrogen replacement therapy (ERT), taken as a treatment for menopause, may also cause some bloating when first started, but this usually goes away within a few weeks. Some birth control pills appear more likely to cause a bloating than others. See: Will I gain weight on the contraceptive pill? Dairy Allergy. Take note of your diet. Do you become bloated between 3. If so, you may be lactose intolerant. This means you cannot digest the sugar (called lactose) in milk and milk products. Common symptoms of lactose intolerance include bloating, diarrhea, nausea, cramping and flatulence. Lactose intolerance is very common, nearly 3. American adults have some degree of intolerance by the age of 2. Artificial Sweeteners. Do you drink lots of diet sodas or foods containing artificial sweeteners (including sugar- free gum)? If so, avoid them for a week or two to test if this could be the cause of your bloating. When buying products that are marked 'fat free' or 'sugar free', check first that they don't contain artificial sweeteners. Too Much Salt. Excessive sodium (salt) can cause your body to retain water leading to bloating. Women who eat lots of processed ready- meal entrees are likely to be eating more salt than their body needs. If you eat foods high in salt, drink several glasses of water to help flush out the excess salt and to keep things moving. Irritable Bowel Syndrome. I just had gum graft surgery (also called gingival graft surgery) for receding gums surrounding two of my back teeth. I didn’t realize how common the procedure is. Fasting Blood Test Fasting blood tests include triglyceride and cholesterol tests, glucose tests, and vitamin level tests which require fasting for up to 12 hours. Can chewing gum really help you cut calories and lose weight? WebMD gives you the facts on chewing gum and weight loss. If you have experienced bloating on and off for some time, along with bouts of constipation and/or diarrhea, you may have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). IBS occurs when the intestines have exaggerated muscular contractions and symptoms tend to be worse towards the evening. It can be caused by food allergies, stress, hormones or even a parasite infection. In most cases IBS is managed with dietary and lifestyle changes. See our IBS diet plan and our free IBS recipes. Reheating Food. Some women find that bloating only strikes when they eat out at restaurants, particularly if they have eaten pasta, potatoes or rice. This is often because these foods have been reheated. Reheating starchy foods changes their molecular structure so that they cause more gas to be produced. If you think this may be a cause of your bloating, you don't need to avoid these foods, just ensure that they are freshly cooked. Flatulence. If you have a bloated tummy and are passing lots of wind, but don't notice any other symptoms, you may be suffering from flatulence (farting). Everyone experiences some flatulence, passing wind up to 1. Flatulence is gas which is generated in the stomach or bowels. Sometimes flatulence can be related to IBS or constipation. If you suffer from excessive gas, chew your food more slowly to reduce the amount of air you eat with your food. Also avoid chewing gum and try drinking peppermint tea and eating probiotic yogurt, it may help symptoms. If symptoms persist talk to your pharmacist about taking charcoal tablets. The charcoal in these pills absorbs excess gas in the digestive system. Celiac disease. If you suffer from bloating, abdominal pain, have lost weight for no reason and often feel tired, you may have celiac disease. This autoimmune condition damages the lining of the small intestine and prevents it from absorbing parts of food required for a healthy body. This damage is due to a reaction to gluten, a substance found in wheat, rye, barley and possibly oats. It can be diagnosed with a simple blood test. When you start avoiding foods containing gluten you will feel better very quickly. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)GERD is a condition where the contents of your stomach flow back up the esophagus. Irritation of the esophagus can lead to heartburn, burping, nausea and bloating. There is usually a feeling of food stuck behind the breastbone, particularly after eating a large meal. Eating in smaller amounts and avoiding certain foods can help control GERD. Ovarian cancer. Cancer that starts in the ovaries is called ovarian cancer. The symptoms of ovarian cancer include swelling or bloating of the abdomen, feeling full quickly after a light meal, and pain in the abdomen or pelvic area. Every year about 2. United States and about 1. Fibroids. Uterine fibroids are non- cancerous tumors that grow in or on the uterus (womb). They can range in size from a small seed to a grapefruit or larger. For example a 7cm fibroid which sits directly over the bladder can cause an annoying need to urinate at all hours. Whereas a 7cm fibroid directly over the uterus is more likely to cause stomach bloating. See: Can fibroids cause bloating? Ovarian Cysts. These are fluid filled cysts that form in or on the ovaries. Occasionally symptoms of ovarian cysts include a bloated tummy.
More commonly they can cause irregular periods, cramps, painful intercourse and referred shoulder pain. When To See A Doctor. If bloating is persistent and accompanied by any of the following, it is worth seeing your doctor. Fasting Blood Test . Before going to a hospital or doctor's office for testing, people often wonder if they can eat or drink before the blood test. Your healthcare professional who arranged for your testing will let you know if you can eat or drink within 1. If you are unable to eat or drink anything other than water within a few hours of testing, you will be taking what is referred to as a fasting blood test. However, for some tests, eating or drinking before the test will not affect the results. Other blood tests require that you abstain from smoking or drinking alcohol within 2. Following are the required preparations for several common blood tests. Fasting Blood Test Preparations. Triglyceride Test. A triglyceride test measures the amount of the lipid, or fat, in the blood. Triglycerides are converted from calories to store fat in your cells. The triglycerides are released to provide energy for your body in between meals. Consuming more calories than you typically burn each day builds up the levels of triglycerides in your body, increasing your risk of getting heart disease. A triglyceride test is a fasting blood test. You can't eat anything for a period between 1. Water is the only beverage that you may consume while fasting. You'll need to fast the night before and take the test the first thing in the morning to get an accurate reading. You should not drink alcohol within 2. If you normally take a vitamin supplement, do not take it within 2. If you take other medications, check with your healthcare professional before you take the test to see if they will affect the results. Cholesterol Test. A cholesterol test, also called a lipid profile or panel, is used to measure the levels of cholesterol in the blood. Since high cholesterol levels in the blood typically have no symptoms, a blood test is the only way to determine if levels are high. Cholesterol causes plaque to form in arteries, contributing to heart disease. A cholesterol test is a fasting blood test. You will have to refrain from eating or drinking anything other than water for a period between 9 and 1. You will need to bring a record of every food and beverage you have consumed for the week prior to testing with you for the doctor to review. Eating a large amount of foods that are high in cholesterol, including eggs and red meat, within a week or two of testing can raise your cholesterol levels. For accurate results, however, it is important that you eat normally the week prior to testing. If you are only having your HDL levels tested, fasting is not required. Glucose Test. Glucose tests measure the amount of glucose, or sugar, in the blood. High levels of glucose indicate diabetes or a pre- diabetic condition. Those who have the disease also undergo blood glucose testing regularly to make sure that treatment is working. A glucose test is a fasting test. For 1. 2 hours prior to testing, you may not eat or drink any beverage other than water. Caffeine can skew the results, so you should not consume caffeine within 2. Fast at night, and take the test the first thing in the morning to get accurate results. Fasting is easier at night because you are sleeping for the majority of the time period and you won't be as tempted to eat or drink. Avoid chewing gum prior to testing also. Vitamin Level Test. A lack of essential vitamins can cause numerous problems. A vitamin level test can check the blood for the levels of certain vitamins, including vitamins A, D, and B1. Depending on the reason your healthcare professional has recommended testing, levels of other vitamins and nutrients may be tested for as well. A vitamin level test is a fasting test. A period of 8 to 1. You will not be able to take any vitamin or mineral supplements within 2. Water is typically the only beverage you may consume during the fasting period; however, some vitamin level tests allow you to have plain black tea also. Your doctor will want to know about any supplements you are taking; you will need to provide the type of vitamin or mineral and the amount of each in the supplement. Iron Test. An iron test checks the levels of iron that are in the blood, which determines how well your body is metabolizing iron. Iron is needed for hemoglobin production, which allows the red blood cells to carry oxygen throughout the body. Low iron can result in anemia. Because iron is not produced in the body, it must be taken into the body through the diet or supplements. Although you do not have to fast with an iron blood test, you should take it in the morning when iron levels are at their highest level for the day. Iron in supplementary form is quickly absorbed into the body; avoid taking an iron supplement within 2. GGT Test. A GGT test measures the levels of gamma glutamyl transferase in your blood. GGT is a liver enzyme that, under normal conditions, is found only in the liver and other organs. If GGT is present in the blood, it is an indication of liver disease that has allowed the enzyme to leak from the liver and into the bloodstream. You do not have to fast prior to a GGT blood test. You should not drink alcohol within 2. You should not smoke within 2.
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