The human body is in constant change. There are many ways in which a person’s body changes throughout the years and it can all be traced down to genetics, lifestyle choices, or medical reasons. One way a person can notice how their body has been changing is through their weight, whether they’re gaining or losing it; this can be perceived in different ways, maybe it’s good that they’re gaining weight because they’ve been struggling with other issues, or it can be a sign of worry if they’re losing weight for no reason.
Sudden weight gain or being overweight can also be harmful for a person’s health, given that it can bring forth a series of complications or it can aggravate any underlying medical condition. In fact, the most recent data suggests that “the number of obese people in the world has tripled since 1975 to roughly 30% of the total population”[1], and this number continues to rise. The projections shared by the World Health Organization (WHO) display that at least one in three of the world’s adult population is overweight.
However, it’s important to point out that some changes in the body, especially in the stomach area, are not necessarily due to weight gain. As we have mentioned, our body goes through different fluctuations and they can also happen in a single day; this can be due to bloating, which causes a swollen stomach.
We’ve all experienced having a swollen stomach and for this article, we’d like to discuss why it happens and how it can be linked to weight gain. We’ll also dive into why people tend to suddenly gain weight and how it’s different for men and women.
Our multidisciplinary team at LIMARP®, led by Dr. Liza María Pompa González, is here to help you understand the effects of being overweight, as well as provide all the necessary tools and information to ensure that you lead a healthier lifestyle. As always, we’d like to remind you that each case is different and the information presented in this article is general. If you have more questions after reading it, please make sure to contact your doctor or you’re welcome to schedule an appointment with us at our Tijuana clinic.
Causes and Symptoms of a Swollen Stomach
To begin, we’d like to present some information about bloating, which can cause a swollen stomach. Having a swollen stomach means that you feel full and uncomfortable, which is fairly common and can be due to several factors[2], such as:
- Having a lot of gas in your gut
- Swallowing air
- Eating certain foods or drinks, like soda or some vegetables
- Constipation
- Coeliac disease
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
A swollen stomach can be easily identified due to its notable symptoms that include feeling that your stomach is larger than usual; pain or discomfort; your stomach starts rumbling, and you’re releasing more gasses than usual. When you are bloated, the last thing you want to do is worsen it, which is why you should do the following if you’re experiencing any uncomfortable bloating.
First, try exercising to improve your digestion and prevent being bloated. It’s been noted that working out can relieve you when you have a swollen stomach. When eating your meals, chew with your mouth closed so you don’t swallow air; you should also drink plenty of water and eat high-fiber foods to avoid constipation. Massaging your stomach can release the air that’s making you bloated, so make sure to rub it from right to left to improve your condition.
If your swollen stomach doesn’t improve after following these recommendations, you can take laxatives or other medicines that ease bloating. In the case that you’re still struggling with a swollen stomach, it’s important that you contact your doctor, especially if you have been bloated for more than three weeks or regularly have a swollen stomach; if you found a lump in your stomach, and if you experience vomit, diarrhea, or constipation while bloated.
The Link Between Weight Gain and a Swollen Stomach
As we’ve mentioned in the article’s introduction, a swollen stomach or being bloated is not an indication of weight gain, sometimes it’s just a body fluctuation. However, there are circumstances where they do go hand in hand and while some causes may coincide for both men and women, there are others that only apply to the latter. So, for this section of the article we’ll go over the link between weight gain and a swollen stomach in order to answer any questions regarding this matter.
If you’re feeling bloated and have also noticed weight gain, it’s possible that it can be stress related. Stress can make you bloated, as well as other gastrointestinal symptoms; some researchers[3] have also pointed out that stress can also make you more aware of your swollen stomach. There is also something called “stress eating”, which can drive many people to gain weight, especially if they don’t lead an active lifestyle.
Another reason why you may be bloated is due to the amount of alcohol you consume. Alcohol mostly contains empty calories which can lead to weight gain and it can cause a swollen stomach because it’s an inflammatory substance that affects the digestive system. There are also several medications that can make you bloated and gain weight such as corticosteroids, oral contraceptives, and antibiotics.
Cushing’s syndrome and hypothyroidism are some of the diseases that can also cause weight gain and a swollen stomach because they mainly affect your hormones and metabolism. This can lead to a series of uncomfortable symptoms that go beyond feeling bloated. It’s important that you speak to your doctor if you’re experiencing negative side effects from the prescription medicine you’re taking to control these diseases.
Causes for Weight Gain and Swollen Stomach in Women
As it is now common knowledge, some medical issues affect women differently than men, and being bloated and weight gain are some of them. To finish this article, we’ll go over some of these causes to get a bigger picture of the link between a swollen stomach and weight gain.
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) has emotional and physical symptoms due to the changes in a woman’s hormone levels. A swollen and weight gain can happen because of water retention, food cravings, fatigue, and abdominal cramps. This can also cause a decrease in a woman’s physical activity, thus leading to weight gain.
Other causes include endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Women with PCOS tend to gain weight in their abdomen, which may cause it to look bloated, while those with endometriosis may experience bloating due to the growth of endometrial tissue in the abdomen; endometriomas, which is a type of ovarian cyst, and other gastrointestinal symptoms, such as constipation and diarrhea.
Contact Us to Learn More
If you want to learn more about the causes for weight gain or swollen stomach, schedule an appointment with one of our doctors. We can help determine the right treatment for you. Contact us online anytime or give us a call at (619) 373-0229.
References
- [1] “Most Obese Countries 2022”. https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/most-obese-countries. (Accessed February 19, 2023).
- [2] “Bloating”. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/bloating/. (Accessed February 22, 2023).
- [3] Mari A, Abu Backer F, Mahamid M, Amara H, Carter D, Boltin D, Dickman R. Bloating and Abdominal Distension: Clinical Approach and Management. Adv Ther. 2019 May;36(5):1075-1084. doi: 10.1007/s12325-019-00924-7. Epub 2019 Mar 16. PMID: 30879252; PMCID: PMC6824367.