Do you often feel that your stomach is getting bigger, while you are not gaining weight? If yes, then you need to know the possible causes.
Feeling full and bloated at times where you have had heavy meals is normal but when this tends to become a routine, even with small meals, it require attention! Abdominal bloating can not only expand your waistline but also make your clothes tight making you feel low on self-confidence. Not all, but some causes of abdominal bloating can become life threatening when not controlled over time.
What is Causing My Stomach to Get Bigger Without Weight Gain?
Many people wonder, why is my stomach getting bigger and I am not gaining weight? If you are one of those, let us understand what can cause belly fat yet no weight gain. Some of the causes include:
Gas, Acidity and Bloating
If you note your stomach is getting bigger and you are not gaining weight, it could be bloating due to acidity or gas. Some of the common causes of bloating include air swallowing, too much caffeine consumption, drinking beverages can lead to acid reflux in the stomach, thereby causing discomfort in the form of bloating. Acid is produced in stomach as a protective lining to kill bacteria. But, when this acid interferes with the digestion process or increases in quantity than required it could lead to reflux and bloating. Constipation or irritable bowel syndrome can be another major reason for bloated stomach leading your waistline to plunge without any significant gain of weight.
For most of gastric problems, you are sure to have gastric complaints along with your stomach getting bigger.
Stress, Uncontrolled Anxiety or Depression
In the times of growing work responsibilities, stress tends to build up naturally. Uncontrolled stress could be a major reason leading to disturbances in the gut and gastrointestinal functions. Moreover, depression over time could also disturb the secretion of cortisol hormone released from the adrenal gland thereby leading to fat deposition around the abdomen without causing any weight gain.
So, if you are under extreme stress, it could be another reason for your gastric disturbances. This can be a caused due to which your stomach is getting bigger, while you are not gaining weight.
Ageing and Lifestyle Pattern
As you tend to age, the body has a tendency to start depositing fat towards the abdomen in comparison to other parts, this further leads to a fat disproportion in the body. Moreover, ageing also affects muscular mass and skin firmness. While muscles tend to become flaccid, skin tends to become lose due to loss of collagen.
Hormonal Disturbances in Women
It is during the post-menopausal phase, many women undergo hormonal changes that lead to decrease in the female hormone levels affecting fat placement in the body. While progesterone and estrogen levels go down, body fat tends to shift more towards the abdomen leading to expanding belly without much or any weight gain. So, if you are an aging women, hormonal changes could be an important reason why your stomach is getting bigger and you are not gaining weight.
Other Causes of Stomach Getting Bigger Without Weight Gain
While most of the common causes of your stomach getting bigger and you are not gaining weight are covered, in some cases, there may be other causes too. Certain allergies, infections, growths or other conditions affecting the gastric, urinary tract or reproductive system too can sometimes cause bigger stomach.
It is therefore necessary to keep a watch on the growing stomach and note other associated symptoms. Seeking timely medical opinion ca help to prevent complications.
Treatment for Stomach Getting Bigger Without Weight Gain
While it is necessary to properly diagnose the condition and gastric disturbances causing bigger stomach, it is also essential to take care of your diet and lifestyle. Doctor may perform necessary investigations to detect the exact cause and find a treatment option. For most cases of abdominal bloating, acidity, gas and other digestive troubles, medicines may be prescribed. Conditions like irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, etc. may be treated with specific medicines and diet. For lactose intolerance, you may be advised to restrict milk and milk products. For more serious conditions, advanced treatment options may be considered.
Though, it’s quite difficult to have control over how fat gets distributed through your body, yet making efforts to stay healthy via diet regulation could promote your overall wellbeing keeping you away from diseases.
The best way to prevent you stomach from getting bigger, is to remain fit with regular exercises and a healthy diet. Whether you are going to the gym, practicing exercises at home or simply doing mild stretching regularity with consistency is important. Try practicing abdominal exercises in consideration with your trainer or instructor that could help to control abdominal fat and help you lose few pounds.
Say No to Foods That Could Promote Abdominal Bloating
- Diet regulation is the key you need to follow in addition to your exercise regime. Keep a track and find the foods that cause bloating; simply avoid them. Eventually, the calories you take up and the number you burn will determine the result, so do not underestimate the power diet can bring in.
- Stay away from preservative sugars, or refined carbs them as that could lead to belly fat. In case you cannot avoid them, make sure you lose them out by increasing your work output. Maintain a dietary plan and try sticking to it to manage your calorie intake.
- Avoid too much snacking throughout the day. Go for dry fruits like raisins, walnuts and seasonal fruits like apple, avocado when feeling hungry after meals. Sprinkle them over regular meals or simply eat them right in the morning with a glass of lukewarm water to begin your day in the energy mode.
Channelize Your Stress
Keep your friend circle intact and relationships strong. A good rapport with your family will bring emotional stability and contentment. Keep your self-morale high by developing a positive approach in life and keeping in touch with people whom you can confidence. When feeling low, seek advice from parents, friends, colleagues and vent out your feelings. Do not wait for build-up.
Once the cause of bloating or stomach getting bigger while you are not gaining weight, is known, it is easy to manage it. So, consult your physician, take appropriate medicines, if required and plan a proper diet and exercise schedule. It will not only help to get rid of belly fat but also improve digestion as well and keep bloating at bay.
Also Read:
- Abdominal Pain or Stomach Ache After Eating: 9 Common Causes, Symptoms, Treatment
- Diagnosis of Belly Button Pain or Umbilical Pain: Acute Pain, Chronic Pain
- Abdominal Bloating: Home Remedies and Prevention Tips
- Causes & Remedies for Severe Bloating and Burping After Waking Up?
- Why Am I So Bloated & How to Get Rid of it?