Feeling bloated and swollen is common to all of us, at least occasionally. Let’s not be prudish: it is even one of the most common functional digestive symptoms. However, the frequency of gas can also question and provide valuable clues about our digestive health. So, when should you be concerned?
Often mild bloating
In the vast majority of cases, bloating is not serious. “They are considered trivial when they occur intermittently, often in connection with meals, and when they are relieved by passing gas or having a bowel movement, without other associated symptoms” specifies Dr Gérald Kierzek
Moreover, it is completely normal to produce gases on a daily basis. There is great variability from person to person: “OHe can emit up to twenty flatulences per day, with a volume of gas that can range from approximately 0.2 to 2 liters. assures the doctor.
A more swollen stomach after a hearty meal, at the end of the day or after consuming certain foods (such as dried vegetables, soft drinks or fermentable foods) is therefore generally a functional and non-worrying phenomenon.
When does excess gas become a concern?
But sometimes bloating can mean something else entirely. “The line between ordinary bloating and a more serious disorder is not based on a precise number, but rather on an unusual change” isays our expert.
You should be careful when bloating:
- Become daily;
- Are more intense than before;
- Persist despite the usual measures (dietary adaptation, physical activity, etc.);
- Or do not resemble the episodes already known.
Another important warning sign concerns changes in intestinal transit. “Recent constipation, persistent diarrhea, an alternation between the two, or even a feeling of incomplete evacuation should prompt vigilance.”
Signs that should alert
Certain symptoms associated with bloating therefore require rapid consultation. This is particularly the case if you observe:
- Blood in the stools;
- Unintentional weight loss;
- Fever;
- Vomiting;
- Discomfort;
- Persistent or severe abdominal pain.
This can sometimes indicate a case of functional disorders (aerophagia, non-ulcerative dyspepsia, gastroparesis, irritable bowel syndrome) or organic damage (sometimes colon cancer).
A particular situation should also alert you: a very swollen, tense stomach, accompanied by a cessation of gas and stools. “This may indicate intestinal obstruction, a medical emergency that requires immediate attention.
Listen to your body first
In summary, bloating is most often benign and linked to our diet or our lifestyle. But their evolution over time, their intensity and the associated symptoms are key indicators.
The right reflex: not to focus on an isolated episode, but to remain attentive to changes. Because when it comes to digestion, it is often the repetition and evolution of symptoms that make all the difference.