Abdominal bloating will make your stomach appear bigger without gaining any weight. Excess gas, irritable bowel syndrome and colorectal cancer can all cause your stomach to appear bigger. If abdominal bloating is causing you regular discomfort, make an appointment with your health care provider.
Cause
Abdominal bloating is usually caused by excess gas, which occurs when you swallow too much air, overeat or have intolerance to lactose. You can swallow excess air by chewing gum, eating too fast, gulping beverages and smoking. Gas also occurs when undigested food is broken down by bacteria in the intestines, creating hydrogen and carbon dioxide, and methane in some people's digestive tracts. The cause of irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, is unknown; however the contractions that propel food through the intestines are stronger and longer lasting for someone with IBS, which can cause symptoms for some. The contractions can also weaken with IBS, causing food to move slower, which causes dry and hard stools. The cause of colorectal cancer is also unknown, other than healthy cells become abnormal.
Identification
If your stomach is bloated, it will feel full and appear round and the skin may feel tight. If excess gas is causing the problem, you will experience belching or flatulence. If IBS is causing the bloating, you may also experience cramps, abdominal pain and constipation or diarrhea. Women are twice as likely to have IBS, and the symptoms may be worse while menstruating, according to MayoClinic.com. Colorectal cancer is the worst-case scenario of your enlarged stomach. If you have colorectal cancer, you may have blood in your stool and abdominal discomfort. The cancer starts in the innermost layer of the colon and rectum wall and can grow through some or all the layers. A colonoscopy can help identify the stage of cancer and the best way to treat it.
Treatment
Foods that commonly cause gas are beans, dairy, fructose, raw fruits and vegetables and starches. Cutting these foods from your diet can help treat excess gas and IBS symptoms. If you choose to eat gas-causing foods, there are over-the-counter digestive enzymes that can reduce the amount of gas in your intestinal tract. An SSRI-antidepressant can also give relief for IBS because it inhibits the activity of neurons that control the intestines. Alosetron and lubiprostone are two medications available for IBS. For colorectal cancer, surgery will be done to remove cancerous growths. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy may also be used to treat colorectal cancer.
Considerations
Many people think they have excess gas when they don't. The average person passes gas about 14 times per day, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. If you have IBS, learn stress management skills -- stress can increase the severity of your symptoms. For both IBS and excess gas, drink plenty of liquids, but avoid alcohol and caffeine. Colorectal cancer is most common over the age of 50. Having regular screenings, especially if you have a family history of colorectal cancer, increases your chances of catching the cancer early.
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