Swollen belly in pregnant women
A major hormonal upheaval, pregnancy brings with it some uncomfortable symptoms, including sometimes a swollen and hard stomach. This phenomenon often appears during the first trimester due to the increased production of a hormone: progesterone. Consequence? The intestine is slowed down and bloating occurs. Hence certain digestive problems, in particular constipation.
Swollen stomach due to periods
In the same way as for pregnant women, the belly can be swollen during the menstrual cycle. And this bloating is, once again, due to the increase in progesterone which can lead to intestinal discomfort, including gas. Just like pain, a swollen stomach does not affect all women during menstruation.
Swollen belly and menopause
Hormonal transformation means change in the body. Like pregnancy or menstruation, menopause is a period of life during which mental and physical upheavals are intense. The drop in estrogen thus causes bloating. In addition, eating habits may change during this period. Some women want to watch out for weight gain and will eat more raw vegetables and fruits. Good for health, of course, but less so for the intestine which often has difficulty digesting them. He prefers them cooked.
Swollen stomach accompanied by constipation
It is estimated that a person is constipated if they go to the toilet less than three times per week. The accumulation of stools causes bloating, resulting in a swollen and hard stomach. Sometimes, it is enough to adopt a diet richer in fiber (vegetables, fruits, cereals) and increase your water consumption (herbal teas and green tea are welcome) to overcome this transit disorder.
Swollen stomach and urge to vomit
Sometimes a swollen stomach is accompanied by nausea. Several causes explain these events: intestinal irritation, stress and fatigue or, as explained earlier, the start of a pregnancy.
– Concerning irritations (which sometimes result in diarrhea or vomiting), they damage the intestinal flora and are often the result of more or less serious food poisoning. The right solution? Take a course of lactic ferments in capsules for a month to rebalance the flora and improve digestion. These “good” bacteria effectively fight infections.
– Faced with stress and fatigue, we practice abdominal breathing or a Zen sport which will not only allow us to live better and more relaxed but also to digest much more easily.
– Finally, some women will find alternative medicines effective against nausea occurring during pregnancy. Acupuncture, homeopathy, herbal medicine but also relaxation sessions. For others, be careful not to eat too rich and too quickly. It is better to eat a little and more regularly during the day so as not to overload the stomach. Staying fasted for a long time promotes nausea.
Swollen stomach: what to do?
On the hormonal side, there is no particular recommendation other than being attentive to what is happening to your body and the various symptoms. Even if it means being monitored by a professional to better experience these changes on a daily basis.
Food
What if the stomach was bloated due to a diet too rich in fermentable foods (fruit, vegetables)? We then opt for a diet low in Fodmaps, responsible for fermentation and therefore swelling. Fodmaps are families of sugars that are difficult to assimilate. Foods rich in Fodmaps include apricots, cherries, cabbage, cream cheese and dried vegetables (lentils, chickpeas, etc.).
It is also possible that we are sensitive to certain foods (sometimes even to a certain cooking method). More rarely, this may reflect an intolerance to gluten or lactose.
To avoid: alcohol, carbonated drinks, fried foods, chewing gum which irritate the intestine and do no good. To do: chew well and place your fork between two bites to extend the duration of the meal and facilitate digestion.
Coal
We also opt for vegetable charcoal which relieves digestive problems on a daily basis and in a natural way.
5 plants for a swollen belly
As nature is well made, there are several plants that promote digestion. Among those with anti-bloating properties, we include:
– basil: this aromatic plant has the advantage of being antispasmodic. It is consumed as a seasoning, as an infusion after a meal or as an essential oil for a belly massage. Please note: any use of essential oil during pregnancy requires medical advice.
– chamomile: it fights against heartburn and reduces gastric acidity. It is consumed as an infusion before meals or as essential oil of Roman chamomile (10 drops in the bath or diluted in a vegetable oil). Please note, it is not recommended for asthmatics, pregnant women and people taking anticoagulant medications.
– lemon balm: it soothes stomach aches and is even recommended to relieve vomiting in pregnant women. It is consumed as a herbal tea with 5 to 6 leaves which are barely boiled. In water above 95°, lemon balm loses its benefits.
– green anise: it stimulates the appetite and relieves bloating. We consume its seeds as a herbal tea after eating or by chewing them directly.
– black radish: it has detox properties and an action on the liver in addition to relieving digestive disorders. Its juice is consumed after a rich or festive meal.
Sports
It is necessary to strengthen the abdominal muscles in order to improve digestion. We tone our abs through core exercises and sports that build deep muscles, such as Pilates and yoga.
If, despite everything, it is difficult to identify the cause of the swollen stomach, it is better to go to your doctor or a dietician-nutritionist.
