What is bloating?
“Bloating” is a sensation of fullness in the upper abdomen, which occurs typically after meals – this is often called ‘bloated stomach’. Sometimes people will feel ‘bloating’ around the lower part of the abdomen, around the belly button (umbilicus). This occurs with distension of the intestine from gas, constipation or sometimes intestinal blockage.
什么是腹胀?
“腹胀”是一种上腹部饱胀的感觉，通常发生在饭后——这通常被称为“胃胀气”。有时，人们会感到腹部位于下半部分、肚脐周围“腹胀”。这是因胀气、便秘或有时肠阻塞引起的肠膨胀。
Why is it important to differentiate the types of bloating?
The location
where you feel the bloating will indicate which part of the intestine may have issues.
For example, when bloating happens after meals in the upper abdomen, it is often associated with belching (burping) and reflux (heartburn) symptoms. Often, this suggest there is something wrong with the stomach. Typically, this often happens to someone who eats too fast, or too full. If you eat foods too oily or spicy, or drink carbonated drinks with meals, you may feel bloated. Most commonly, a combination of these lifestyle factors causes the bloating.
For people with bloating in the centre of the abdomen, it is often related to fermentation of foods or stools inside the intestines by the gut bacteria, causing excessive gas formation. Usually, people will complain of excessive flatulence (passing winds), constipation, and sometimes reduced appetite.
为什么区分腹胀的类型很重要？
因为您感到腹胀的位置将表明肠道的哪个部分可能出现了问题
例如，当饭后上腹部出现腹胀时，通常会伴有嗳气（打嗝）和反流（胃灼热）症状。这表明胃有问题。这通常发生在吃得太快或太饱的人身上。如果你吃太油腻或太辣的食物，又或者在吃饭时喝碳酸饮料，你可能会感到腹胀。这些都是最常见的因素结合而导致腹胀。
对于腹部中央有胀气的人，往往是因为肠道细菌导致食物的发酵或排泄物有关，导致产生肠胃气过多。通常，人们会抱怨过度胀气（过风）、便秘，有时还会抱怨食欲下降。
How can I improve the bloating sensation?
Depending on the location of your bloating sensation, you may find the following can improve your symptoms.
- Avoid eating or drinking water too fast
- Avoid talking while you eat
- Avoid eating too much or too full
- Avoid carbonated drinks during mealtime
- Reduce stress and anxiety
- Improve sleeping quality
- Cut down on foods that are too spicy or oily
- Avoid foods in excessive amount that may increase gas formation in the intestines, such as beans, sweet potatoes, soya milk
如何改善腹胀感？
根据您腹胀感的位置，您可能会发现以下措施可以改善您的症状
- 避免进食或饮水过快
- 吃饭时避免说话
- 避免吃得过多或过饱
- 进餐时避免碳酸饮料
- 减少压力和焦虑
- 提高睡眠质量
- 少吃太辣或太油腻的食物
- 避免过量食用会增加肠内气体形成的食物，例如豆类、红薯、豆浆
Author: Dr John Hsiang, Singapore Gastroenterologist
作者: 向医生，新加坡胃肠病专家