Is a bloated belly a sign of pregnancy?

Women who have had sex will worry about whether they are pregnant if they have a bloated belly. Under normal circumstances, a bloated belly does not necessarily mean pregnancy. It may be caused by poor digestion or too much air inhaled. However, if the bloating is accompanied by symptoms of delayed menstruation, it may be pregnancy.

What is bloating?

Bloating is a bulging of the abdomen. Under normal circumstances, children's abdomen will be swollen after a meal and will be deflated when they are hungry. If the abdomen continues to expand and does not deflate, and there is tension in the abdominal wall, it can be considered abdominal distension. The following are the causes of abdominal distension:

(1) A large amount of gas or fluid accumulates in the digestive tract.

(2) Excessive gas or fluid accumulation in the abdominal cavity.

(3) There are large cystic or solid masses in the abdomen.

(4) Weak abdominal muscles.

Abdominal distension in children is mostly caused by gas.

What causes abdominal bloating?

The following are some of the causes of intestinal flatulence:

(1) Food fermentation

Normally, there are large numbers of bacteria in the lower ileum and ascending colon. If the chyme stays in this section of the intestine for too long for some reason, the bacteria may cause the chyme to ferment, produce a large amount of gas, and cause abdominal distension.

(2) Inhaled air

When a child is breastfeeding, the mother's nipples are inverted or the nipples are not properly latched on. When the child is bottle-fed, the nipple hole is not the right size. Or when the child cries, they can inhale a lot of air and cause intestinal bloating.

(3) Gas absorption disorder in the gastrointestinal tract

Under normal circumstances, most of the gas in the abdominal cavity is absorbed by the blood vessels in the intestinal wall and then exhaled out of the body through the lungs. In some diseases, blood circulation in the intestinal wall is impaired, affecting the absorption of gas in the intestinal cavity, thus causing abdominal bloating.

(4) Obstruction of gas discharge from the gastrointestinal tract

For some reasons, the intestinal peristalsis function is weakened or disappears, so the gas in the intestinal cavity cannot be discharged from the body, causing abdominal distension.

What are the dangers of severe abdominal bloating ?

(1) Affects breathing

Abdominal distension, elevated diaphragm, smaller chest cavity, and restricted lung breathing function can cause breathing difficulties.

(2) Affects blood circulation

The abdomen is bloated, the diaphragm is lifted, the chest cavity is compressed, and the contraction and relaxation functions of the heart are affected. The intestinal cavity is bloated and the intestinal pressure increases, affecting the blood circulation of the intestinal wall. The intra-abdominal pressure increases and the return of blood from the inferior vena cava is obstructed, which reduces the amount of blood returning to the heart, affecting cardiac ejection.

(3) Water and electrolyte imbalance

Severe abdominal distension, retention of intestinal contents, and compression of the intestinal wall not only affect the absorption of intestinal contents, but also cause intestinal wall plasma to seep into the intestinal cavity, causing an imbalance of water and electrolytes.

(4) Toxin Absorption

The chyme retained in the intestinal cavity ferments and rots under the action of bacteria, producing toxins and gas, which are absorbed by the body and aggravate the condition.

How to treat abdominal bloating?

(1) Directly identifying the primary disease causing abdominal distension and conducting targeted treatment can often achieve good results.

(2) Symptomatic treatment

① Laxative: If you have constipation, you can squeeze enema or glycerin suppository into the rectum. This will expel stool and gas and reduce pressure in the colon. If defecation is unsuccessful, an anal tube can be inserted through the anus to the sigmoid colon to allow intestinal gas to be expelled from the body.

② Gastrointestinal decompression: A gastric tube is inserted into the gastrointestinal tract through the nasal cavity or oral cavity, and then a suction and blood pressure reduction device is connected to the outside of the tube. This device can suck out the gas and liquid in the gastrointestinal tract, relieve the pressure of the gastrointestinal tract, and allow the gastrointestinal muscles to rest and wait for recovery of function.

③If the above two methods do not work and there is no evidence of intestinal obstruction, drugs such as neostigmine or phentolamine can be used. Neostigmine can inhibit cholesterase, enhance intestinal motility, and promote flatulence. The dosage is 0.045-0.06 mg/kg body weight each time, subcutaneously injected. Phentolamine can increase lung ventilation, excite intestinal smooth muscle, promote intestinal motility, and relieve abdominal distension. The dosage is 0.2-0.5 mg/kg body weight each time, subcutaneously injected.

④Fasting, intravenous infusion, and correction of electrolyte imbalance. If abdominal distension is caused by low blood potassium concentration, potassium chloride can be given intravenously.

⑤After the abdominal distension disappears, you can take multi-enzyme tablets and probiotic preparations.

⑥ Avoid eating gas-producing foods, such as beans and potatoes.

How does TCM understand the causes and pathogenesis of abdominal distension?

Abdominal distension is caused by excess gas in the gastrointestinal tract, characterized by a distended abdomen, pale yellow skin, even exposed veins, and a tight abdominal skin. The main causes and pathogenesis are as follows:

(1) Spleen and stomach damage

If children do not drink milk and eat regularly, are too hungry or too full, or are malnourished, the spleen and stomach will be damaged, the spleen will not function properly, the ascending and descending functions will not be normal, and qi will not be able to flow normally, resulting in abdominal distension.

(2) Emotional factors

Because spoiled children are often willful, their wishes are not fulfilled and they feel unhappy, which causes liver qi stagnation and qi disorder, which can lead to shortness of breath and abdominal distension.

(3) Dampness and heat accumulation

In summer and autumn, the exogenous damp-heat pathogens cannot be dissipated and instead stagnate in the middle burner, causing qi stagnation and dysfunction of the spleen and stomach, leading to chest tightness and abdominal distension.

(4) Cold

Children who eat too much cold drinks or wear too thin clothes will be affected by evil cold, which will directly attack the spleen and stomach, weakening the spleen yang and making it unable to warm and transform water and dampness. The essence of water and grain cannot be transported and distributed, and accumulate in the middle burner, causing abdominal distension.

In addition, damage to the liver causes stagnation of qi and blood, blockage of blood vessels, and accumulation. Long-term illness damages the kidneys, and the kidney yang is insufficient, which is unable to warm the spleen and earth and evaporate water and dampness. The kidney yin is deficient, and the liver is not nourished, all of which can lead to abdominal distension.

What are the symptoms of abdominal distension caused by qi stagnation and food obstruction, and how to treat it?

Main symptoms: abdominal distension, not hard when pressed, aggravated after eating, feeling comfortable with belching, pain and distension relieved after diarrhea, loss of appetite, restless sleep at night, hot hands and feet, thick white tongue coating, and deep and slippery pulse. The treatment is to help digestion, relieve stagnation, promote qi circulation and relieve bloating. The prescription is modified Baohe Pills, and the medicinal ingredients used are Jiao Sanxian, stir-fried radish seeds, tangerine peel, Pinellia, Poria, Forsythia, Areca, Citrus aurantium, and liquorice. Decoction in water, 1 dose per day, divided into 3 times.

What are the symptoms of damp-heat accumulation type abdominal distension and how to treat it?

Main symptoms: chest tightness and abdominal distension, dizziness and heaviness, no feeling of hunger, fever after eating, bland and tasteless taste in the mouth, yellow and scanty urine, loose and uncomfortable stools, yellow and greasy tongue coating, and rapid and stringy pulse. The treatment is to clear away heat and dampness, and to use aromatics to clear turbidity. The prescription is Manfen Xiao Wan with modifications, and the medicinal materials used are Magnolia officinalis, Citrus aurantium, Artemisia capillaris, Gardenia jasminoides, Tangerine peel, Pinellia ternata, Poria cocos, Alisma orientalis, Atractylodes macrocephala, Polyporus umbellatus, Plantago seed, Citrus grandis peel, and Licorice. Decoction in water, 1 dose per day, divided into 3 times.

What are the symptoms of moderate abdominal distension caused by water cold injury and how to treat it?

Main symptoms: distended abdomen, feeling like a bag of water when pressed, chest and abdominal distension, preference for heat, mental fatigue, aversion to cold and laziness, scanty urination, loose stools, greasy white tongue coating, and slow pulse. Treat by warming the middle and promoting the flow of water. The prescription is modified Shipi Drink, and the medicinal ingredients used are Atractylodes macrocephala, Poria cocos, papaya, Magnolia officinalis, Amomum villosum, Cibotium bark, costusroot, roasted aconite root, dried ginger, fresh ginger, and licorice. Decoction in water, 1 dose per day, divided into 3 times.

What are the symptoms of spleen deficiency and abdominal distension and how to treat it?

Main symptoms: sallow complexion, fatigue and weakness, loss of appetite, feeling full after eating, abdominal distension and pleasure from pressing, loose and thin stools, pale lips and tongue, white tongue coating, thready and weak pulse, and pale blue fingerprints. The treatment is to strengthen the spleen and replenish Qi, and to assist with removing stagnation. The prescription is Xiangsha Liujunzi Decoction with added ingredients, including Codonopsis pilosula, Atractylodes macrocephala, Poria cocos, roasted licorice, costusroot, Amomum villosum, Pinellia ternata, tangerine peel, ginger, jujube, scorched hawthorn, scorched malt, and scorched Shenqu. Decoction in water, 1 dose per day, divided into 3 times.

What are the symptoms of abdominal distension caused by visceral cold and how to treat it?

Main symptoms: abdominal distension that sometimes decreases and then returns to normal, abdominal pain from time to time, vomiting, loss of appetite, cold limbs, clear urine, white tongue coating without thirst, and slow pulse. Treat by warming the middle and dispersing cold. The prescription is Dingyu Lizhong Decoction with added ingredients, including Codonopsis pilosula, Atractylodes macrocephala, licorice, dried ginger, cloves, Evodia rutaecarpa, cooked aconite, and cinnamon. Decoction in water, 1 dose per day, divided into 3 times.

What are the symptoms of abdominal distension caused by liver and spleen blood stasis and how to treat it?

Main symptoms: large and hard abdomen, bulging blue veins, pain in the flanks and abdomen, dark complexion, blood moles in the shape of silk patterns on the head, neck, chest and arms, purple lips, thirst, inability to drink water, purple-red tongue or with purple spots, and deep and sluggish pulse. The treatment is to promote blood circulation, remove blood stasis, promote qi and promote diuresis. The prescription is selected to adjust the nutrition and drink, and the medicinal ingredients include Chuanxiong, Angelica, Red Peony Root, Curcuma, Corydalis, Rhubarb, Areca Nut, Morus Alba, Lemongrass Seed, and Licorice. Decoction in water, 1 dose per day, divided into 3 times.

What are the symptoms of abdominal distension caused by liver and kidney yin deficiency and how to treat it?

Main symptoms: abdominal distension, dull complexion, emaciation, fever in the five parts of the body, dry mouth and lips, bleeding from the teeth or nose, short and dark urine, red tongue with little moisture, and a stringy and fine pulse. Treatment is to nourish the liver and kidneys. The prescription is Liuwei Dihuang Pills with modifications, and the medicinal ingredients include cooked rehmannia, cornus fruit, yam, moutan bark, oriental water plantain, poria, wolfberry, licorice, etc. Decoction in water, 1 dose per day, divided into 3 times.

How to use syndrome differentiation diet therapy to treat abdominal distension?

(1) Milk and food accumulation type

① Hawthorn porridge: slice fresh hawthorn, fry until brown, take 10-15 grams each time, soak in warm water for a while, boil to get 150 ml of concentrated juice, then add 300 ml of water, 50 grams of polished rice, appropriate amount of sugar, cook until thick porridge is ready to be consumed.

② 30 grams of roasted malt, 10 grams of roasted hawthorn, and 10 grams of roasted Shenqu, roast and dry, grind into fine powder, take 3 grams each time, 3 times a day, for 1 week.

(2) Spleen deficiency and accumulation type

① Date meat and chicken gizzard cookie: 250 grams of date meat, 30 grams of ginger, 50-60 grams of raw gizzard nut, 500 grams of flour, and appropriate amount of white sugar. First boil the ginger into soup, mash the jujube meat, roast and grind the raw chicken gizzard lining into fine powder, mix them together with the flour, make into small cakes, and bake. Take 2 to 3 each time, 2 to 3 times a day, for 1 week.

② Crucian carp, ginger and pepper soup: one crucian carp, 30 grams of ginger, and 1 gram of pepper. Remove the scales and internal organs of the crucian carp, put sliced ​​ginger and pepper into the fish belly, add appropriate amount of water and stew it, add a little salt, drink the soup and eat the fish. Take once a day for 1 week.