Bubble gut, also known as stomach bloating or abdominal distension, leads to visible swelling or bloating of the abdomen. It can be an uncomfortable and even painful sensation caused by a buildup of gas, air, fluid, or waste in the intestinal tract or stomach. While occasional bloating and gas are normal, persistent or severe bubble gut can be a sign of an underlying health issue. In this article, we’ll explore the causes, symptoms, and treatments for bubble gut so you can find relief.
What is Bubble Gut?
Bubble gut refers to distension or swelling of the abdomen caused by various factors including gas, constipation, food sensitivities, digestive issues, and more. It may look like a protruding, rounded belly.
Along with the visible abdominal swelling, bubble gut can also cause uncomfortable sensations like:
- Cramping and abdominal pain
- Bloating and fullness
- Excessive gas or flatulence
- Urgent need to have a bowel movement
- Diarrhea or constipation
Some bloating and gas are normal, but chronic or severe bubble gut symptoms should be evaluated by a doctor.
Symptoms of Bubble Gut: How to Identify?
Signs and symptoms that may indicate bubble gut:
- Visible swelling or distension of the belly
- Bloating, fullness, and tightness in the abdomen
- Passing gas frequently
- Abdominal cramps and pain
- Feeling an urgent need for a bowel movement
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Inability to pass gas or have a bowel movement
- Abdominal sounds and rumbling
If you regularly experience these types of symptoms, it’s important to see your doctor to rule out any underlying conditions. Tracking your symptoms and possible trigger foods can help identify causes.
Causes Of Bubble Gut
There are many possible causes behind bubble gut symptoms:
Trapped Gas in the Gut
Swallowing air when eating or drinking quickly can cause air bubbles and bloating in the digestive tract. Certain culprits like carbonated beverages, chewing gum, and smoking can contribute to gas buildup as well. Difficulty belching or passing gas and digestive motility issues can also lead to trapped intestinal gas.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is one of the most common causes of recurrent bubble gut. IBS affects the large intestine and causes gas, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain and cramping. The exact causes of IBS are unknown but may involve gut-brain connection issues, intestinal muscle contractions, inflammation, and more.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Chronic inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis cause inflammation in the digestive tract which can lead to abdominal swelling and distension. Ongoing diarrhea or constipation are also common symptoms.
Stomach Flu
Viral gastroenteritis, also referred to as stomach flu, can cause a temporary bubble gut. The viruses can irritate the GI tract and lead to diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, cramping, and bloating. These symptoms usually resolve within a few days.
Food Poisoning
Food poisoning from bacteria, viruses, or parasites disrupt normal digestion which can trigger abdominal distension, diarrhea, vomiting, and pain. Symptoms tend to be acute but severe depending on the type of contaminant.
Food Intolerance
Difficulty digesting certain foods like dairy, wheat, beans, cruciferous vegetables, and more can cause immediate gassy, bloated symptoms in some people. This may indicate a food intolerance or sensitivity rather than a true food allergy. Removing problematic foods can help.
Diet
For some people, even healthy high-fiber foods can lead to bloating and gas if consumed in large amounts. Eating too fast, chewing inadequately, and eating big meals can also precipitate bubble gut symptoms. Keeping a food diary can identify dietary triggers.
Why Do Bodybuilders Have Bubble Guts?
The bloated, distended midsections bodybuilders sometimes develop are popularly called “bubble guts” or “plumbism.” It refers to enlargement or distention of the intestines due to a combination of factors like:
- Use of growth hormones and steroids – These drugs allow bodybuilders to develop massive muscles but can also enlarge organs like the intestines. Research indicates that growth hormone contributes to abnormal enlargement and function of the intestines.
- High protein diet – Consuming large amounts of protein to build muscle mass also causes increased water retention and abdominal bloating. Excessive protein intake forces the kidneys to work harder to remove waste products.
- Frequent straining – Many bodybuilders use overly forceful abdominal exercises like heavily weighted crunches, leg raises, holds, and vacuums. This constant high pressure leads to enlarged intestines.
- Dehydration – To look ripped on competition day, bodybuilders severely restrict fluid intake which causes the intestines to shrink and appear more distended.
While bubble gut may help them appear larger on stage, it can cause discomfort and health issues for bodybuilders over time. Proper diet, hydration, and avoidance of intense abdominal straining can help prevent excessive midsection distention.
How to Get Rid of Bubble Guts?
To relieve bubble gut symptoms, try these tips:
- Identify and avoid food triggers – Keep a journal to determine problem foods contributing to your bloating. Limit gassy culprits like beans, dairy, carbonated beverages, wheat, and raw veggies if needed.
- Take digestive enzymes – Supplements containing enzymes like lactase, lipase, and protease can improve the digestion of proteins, fats, and carbs and reduce bloating.
- Increase probiotics – Taking a quality probiotic supplement can restore healthy gut flora for better digestion and less gas production. Yogurt, kefir, and fermented foods also provide probiotics.
- Reduce portion sizes – Eating smaller, more frequent meals puts less strain on your digestive system and minimizes bubble gut. Don’t overeat.
- Exercise regularly – Physical activity stimulates the gastrointestinal tract and helps move food and gas through the intestines.
- Manage constipation – Over-the-counter laxatives and increased fiber and water intake can alleviate constipation that contributes to bloating.
- Try anti-gas medications – Products like simethicone can provide relief from excess gas and related discomfort.
- Use peppermint – The natural muscle-relaxing properties of peppermint may ease spasms and gas production in the intestines. Try peppermint tea or supplements.
See your doctor if lifestyle measures don’t resolve chronic abdominal bloating or distention. Prescription medications or testing for underlying conditions may be needed. In some cases, conditions like small intestinal bacterial overgrowth and food intolerances may require special diets or treatments to curb bubble gut.
Conclusion
Experiencing bubble gut or chronic abdominal bloating and distension is an indication that something is off with your gastrointestinal system. Trapped intestinal gas, chronic constipation, food sensitivities, IBS, and other issues can all create a bloated belly
Keeping a symptom diary, changing your diet, exercising, managing stress, and taking medications can help alleviate discomfort. See a gastroenterologist if symptoms are ongoing to identify and properly treat any underlying disorder causing your bubble gut.
FAQ
Having “bubble guts” leads to bloating, distension, or swelling of the abdomen due to excessive gas production, constipation, or other digestive issues. It may cause pain, cramping, diarrhea, and other uncomfortable symptoms.
To alleviate bubble guts with diarrhea, drink plenty of clear fluids to avoid dehydration. Take an over-the-counter anti-diarrheal medication like loperamide as needed.
Reduce intake of dairy, greasy foods, caffeine, and gas-producing items. Rest your bowel by eating the BRAT diet – bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast.
Common causes of bubble guts include food intolerances, irritable bowel syndrome, anxiety, gastroenteritis, gas-producing foods, swallowing too much air, dehydration, and more. Keeping a symptom journal can help identify triggers for your bubble guts.
Ways to curb bubble guts include avoiding trigger foods, taking digestive enzymes or probiotics, drinking peppermint tea, reducing portion sizes, exercising regularly, managing constipation and stress, and using OTC gas medications. See your doctor to treat any underlying condition.
A bubbly or gurgling stomach is often caused by gas and fermentation as food and fluids are digested. Consuming carbonated drinks, too much air while eating, food intolerances, constipation, and digestive motility disorders can all cause excessive gas and stomach bubbles.
Intestinal gas bubbles are caused by swallowing air while eating and drinking, gas diffusion in the gut, fermentation from gut bacteria, poor absorption of carbohydrates, inflammatory bowel disease, intestinal obstructions, and food intolerances among other issues.
References
- Singh R.K., Chang H.W., Yan D., Lee K.M., Ucmak D., Wong K., Abrouk M., Farahnik B., Nakamura M., Zhu T.H., et al. Influence of diet on the gut microbiome and implications for human health. J. Transl. Med. 2017;15:73. doi: 10.1186/s12967-017-1175-y. [PMC free article]
- Whiteside S. A., Razvi H., Dave S., Reid G., Burton J. P. The microbiome of the urinary tract—a role beyond infection. Nature Reviews Urology. 2015;12(2):81–90. doi: 10.1038/nrurol.2014.361. [PubMed]
