Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCommon CausesMedication CausesGetting ReliefTreatmentCoping
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Common Causes
Medication Causes
Getting Relief
Treatment
Coping
This article will discuss how constipation and bloating look and feel, as well as their symptoms and treatments. It will also cover when to contact a healthcare provider for treatment.
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Symptoms: How Constipation Bloating Looks and Feels
People who havebloatingandconstipationmay feel like their abdomen is distended and tight. This feeling comes from the trapped gas or stool in the intestines.
The abdominal pressure and bloating can occur anywhere along the abdomen. There may or may not be distension with bloating. When there is distension, it may or may not be visible. People with abdominal distension can look like their stomach has ballooned or that they’re pregnant.
Here are all the possible symptoms associated with bloating:
Bloating tends to increase over the course of a day and then decreases overnight.
Those with constipation can have similar symptoms as those above and may also have these symptoms:
When to Seek Medical Help for Bloating and ConstipationWhen someone has severe symptoms of bloating or constipation they should seek medical help. Symptoms include:Blood in the stool or bleeding from the rectumSevere stomach painsUnable to pass gasVomitingFeverUnintended weight lossLower back pain
When to Seek Medical Help for Bloating and Constipation
When someone has severe symptoms of bloating or constipation they should seek medical help. Symptoms include:Blood in the stool or bleeding from the rectumSevere stomach painsUnable to pass gasVomitingFeverUnintended weight lossLower back pain
When someone has severe symptoms of bloating or constipation they should seek medical help. Symptoms include:
Common Causes of Constipation Bloating
One of the most common causes of bloating is constipation. The inability to regularly and completely empty the bowels can cause the abdomen to feel full and bloated.
When someone is constipated, the stool stays in the gut longer than it should. This gives the bacteria more time to ferment in the gut and leads to bloating and gas.
Constipation and bloating have several possible causes. Besides constipation, other causes of bloating include:
Other constipation causes include:
How Diet Affects Bloating and ConstipationDiet has been found to have a large influence on bloating and constipation. It is generally recommended to reduce or eliminate dairy,gluten, sugar alcohols (sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol, and glycerol), and processed foods to reduce constipation and bloating.Increasing water and fiber can help improve the movement of stool through the intestines and reduce bloating and constipation.
How Diet Affects Bloating and Constipation
Diet has been found to have a large influence on bloating and constipation. It is generally recommended to reduce or eliminate dairy,gluten, sugar alcohols (sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol, and glycerol), and processed foods to reduce constipation and bloating.Increasing water and fiber can help improve the movement of stool through the intestines and reduce bloating and constipation.
Diet has been found to have a large influence on bloating and constipation. It is generally recommended to reduce or eliminate dairy,gluten, sugar alcohols (sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol, and glycerol), and processed foods to reduce constipation and bloating.
Increasing water and fiber can help improve the movement of stool through the intestines and reduce bloating and constipation.
Medications Known to Cause Constipation (Then Bloating)
Certain over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medications can cause constipation that can lead to uncomfortable bloating.
These medicines include:
Do not stop taking a medication before talking to a healthcare provider. Let the provider know if you believe the medicine is causing constipation and they will be able to guide you through the appropriate steps for relief.
How to Soothe Constipation Bloating
Most of the time constipation and bloating can be managed at home. Heating pads, light exercise, and warm drinks can soothe discomfort and distention.
If constipation and bloating are persistent then, it might be time to make a few lifestyle changes. These lifestyle changes can include:
If home remedies do not resolve constipation and bloating, see a healthcare provider for guidance.
How to Treat Constipation and GI Troubles
A 2020 study from the journalClinical Gastroenterology and Hepatologydescribed the stages of treatment, in order, a healthcare provider can take to reduce bloating in patients. These stages of treatment include:
Living With Chronic Constipation and Bloating
In many cases, constipation and bloating is temporary and can be managed at home. It’s important to understand what your specific causes are and work to prevent future episodes.
Summary
Bloating and constipation are two uncomfortable symptoms that can interfere with your daily activities and life. Many times these issues can be managed at home with lifestyle changes like diet, increased fiber, and exercise. When at home strategies do not work then it’s time to contact a healthcare provider for treatment guidance.
4 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Lacy BE, Cangemi D, Vazquez-Roque M.Management of chronic abdominal distension and bloating.Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology. 2021;19(2):219-231.e1. doi:10.1016/j.cgh.2020.03.056National Institute of Health.Concerned about constipation?Johns Hopkins Medicine.Bloating: causes and prevention tips.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Constipation.
4 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Lacy BE, Cangemi D, Vazquez-Roque M.Management of chronic abdominal distension and bloating.Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology. 2021;19(2):219-231.e1. doi:10.1016/j.cgh.2020.03.056National Institute of Health.Concerned about constipation?Johns Hopkins Medicine.Bloating: causes and prevention tips.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Constipation.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Lacy BE, Cangemi D, Vazquez-Roque M.Management of chronic abdominal distension and bloating.Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology. 2021;19(2):219-231.e1. doi:10.1016/j.cgh.2020.03.056National Institute of Health.Concerned about constipation?Johns Hopkins Medicine.Bloating: causes and prevention tips.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Constipation.
Lacy BE, Cangemi D, Vazquez-Roque M.Management of chronic abdominal distension and bloating.Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology. 2021;19(2):219-231.e1. doi:10.1016/j.cgh.2020.03.056
National Institute of Health.Concerned about constipation?
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Bloating: causes and prevention tips.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Constipation.
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