Distended stomach when hungry

I have read all of these posts and Have several explanations and possible solutions. These are all just suppositions, but perhaps it will help. I feel that this is largely due to WHAT you are eating as opposed to WHEN and that more specifically this is likely a gluten intolerance, celiac disease sufferers report similar gastrointestinal problems. I suggest cutting out wheat, barley, rye or oats. Acceptable grains would include corn, rice, millet, teff and sorghum. A high protein diet is also recommended such as the Atkins or paleo diets. If this is the case, as it was for me, Eating a piece of bread or a cracker is a BAD thing and it is probably making your hunger pangs subside but causing stomach inflammation and more bloating along the way. 

My other suspicion is carbohydrate addiction. In the modern world, most people are addicted to carbohydrates and if you are truly miserable, you need to change your diet. Yes this means no more pizza, beer or bread, but likely also means no more bloating. Let me break the addiction down:A compelling hunger, craving, or desire for carbohydrate-rich foods;an escalating, recurring need or drive for starches, snack foods, junk food, or sweets.Carbohydrate-rich foods include, but are not limited to: breads, bagels, cakes, cereal, chocolate, cookies, crackers, danish, fruit and fruit juice, ice cream, potato chips, pasta, potatoes, pretzels, rice, pie, popcorn, and sugar-sweetened beverages.

 In addition, carbohydrate act-alikes (sugar substitutes, alcoholic beverages, and monosodium glutamate) may trigger intense or recurring carbohydrate cravings and/or weight gain. As many as seventy-five percent of those who are overweight, and many normal-weight individuals as well, are carbohydrate addicted. Though many people may suspect there is a physical imbalance that makes them crave carbohydrates and put weight on easily, the underlying cause of their cravings and weight struggles often goes undiagnosed and untreated.

Carbohydrate addiction is caused by an imbalance - an over release of the hormone, insulin, when carbohydrate-rich foods are eaten. Among its many jobs, insulin signals the body to take in food (it has been called the "hunger hormone") and, once the food is consumed, signals the body to store the food energy in the form of fat. Too much insulin results in too strong an impulse to eat, too often, and a body that too readily stores food in the form of fat. Over time, however, as high insulin levels continue, even the fat cells can shut down and the blood glucose gets trapped in the blood stream bringing on the condition known as adult-onset diabetes. 

So, if you haven't figured it out already, my solution is to revolutionarily change your diet. I suffered for many years from this same bloating/pain problem without a solution and after switching to a gluten free Paleolithic diet, I suffer only when I cave, and have a beer or some late night taco with flour tortilla. (And I do mean suffer) I also *think* that diet soda, gum chewing, and caffeine are all bloat triggers. The brain gets fooled with foods like that, diet foods, etc. into thinking that it has received a certain number of calories and then comes roaring back with a vengeance when it realizes that it's at a calorie deficit.  Staying hydrated helps and I don't know why. I've also learned that I can't eat acidic things (like an apple) or dairy when I'm really, really empty. 

I also agree that probiotics help. Along with carb addiction comes carb/sugar loving bacteria living in overwhelming numbers in your gut. If you have too many of these guys in your stomach you will crave sugar essentially to keep them happy. A good way to regain balance is to go off sugar almost completely while also taking probiotics. I found it to be a cure but there is a down side.... You may experience a "better before it gets worse" thing because as these guys die off in your intestines, they create bloating and loose stool and a general crankiness. In my opinion, it was worth the strict diet and few days of misery (about 4-5) because on the other side of my sugar fast, I went 127 days without bloating or gas related pains when combined with a gluten free diet! (a previous impossibility and overall miracle)

 

Hope this helps, best of luck to all of you. 

Hello , I have the same symptoms and sometimes I get nauseous and feel as if I'm going to faint if I don't eat in time. I am 14 years old and have been dealing with this since I was 13. I visited a gasteroligost sorry if I miss spelled it :)! But and he diagnosed me with irritable bowel syndrome. You also get really hot and sweaty right? Trust me you are not alone its bad but pray and ill be alright :) it's most likely stress. I'd visit a gasteroligost just in case I hope you get better. He told me to not stress or worry about my stomach anymore because it will only make it worse. He gave me a " anti spaz matic" which stops n prevents pain that i take everyday and its good I need to eat alot too and if I don't eat enough I feel so sick and can't eat at all. Hope this helps have a good day and feel better i know it's terrible

Give up Wheat and Gluten!!!!  

I had been searching the web for years for a solution for my distended stomach and bloating from not eating. I saw this post a little over a year ago and was so happy that someone gave a solution instead of a doctors diagnosis of IBS (aka they don't know what's causing your issues.) I gave cutting out gluten a try and my distended stomach and gas issues were gone in a week! I've never felt so great!

People ask me "how can you not eat bread or pasta?" and my answer is that it is totally worth it to get rid of the stomach aches that have been interfering with my life for the last 10 years. I've been gluten free for a little over a year now and would never go back.

I did go through withdrawals the first 3 days... headaches, moodiness, irritability, inability to sleep, etc... but after the 3 days this disappaited! Give going gluten free a shot you won't regret it! 

I hope my post can help someone like reading the other posts helped me a year ago. Best of luck!

Hi all. Just thought I'd let you know that this is nothing serious although extremely painful. You will find you get it when you eat big meals and then say next morning you don't eat for a few hours. Your stomach is stretched, then when you starve it it actually takes on air, once the air is in all you can do is wait it out until it passes and yes either burping or farting is the only way to relieve it. For people experiencing this chronically, stop eating big meals and eat small regular meals through the day. I for one, get it when I have been eating big portions (as this past festive season), and am now trying to kickstart my diet and so experiencing this excruciating pain. So best is to actually just nibble on small snacks. Have small breakfast, snack on an apple/banana around 10, eat lunch at 12, have a yoghurt at 2, tea with a biscuit or crackers around 4, supper at 6 (not a huge portion just regular), and a few crisps or whatever you feel like at 8. Also drink juice/coffee/water inbetween, this way your stomach is not taking in air but rather always digesting smaller meals which also boosts your metabolism. This off course is all a different matter when you have other dietary problems, ie diabetes, etc. Its sinple really, don't let yourself go hungry, and when you eat smaller portions, you won't experience it even when you do miss a meal. It really is about a stretched stomach which is waiting for another big meal and when it doesn't come, you're gonna feel it! Good luck all. This aint medical advice, its just from experience :)Hi all. Just thought I'd let you know that this is nothing serious although extremely painful. You will find you get it when you eat big meals and then say next morning you don't eat for a few hours. Your stomach is stretched, then when you starve it it actually takes on air, once the air is in all you can do is wait it out until it passes and yes either burping or farting is the only way to relieve it. For people experiencing this chronically, stop eating big meals and eat small regular meals through the day. I for one, get it when I have been eating big portions (as this past festive season), and am now trying to kickstart my diet and so experiencing this excruciating pain. So best is to actually just nibble on small snacks. Have small breakfast, snack on an apple/banana around 10, eat lunch at 12, have a yoghurt at 2, tea with a biscuit or crackers around 4, supper at 6 (not a huge portion just regular), and a few crisps or whatever you feel like at 8. Also drink juice/coffee/water inbetween, this way your stomach is not taking in air but rather always digesting smaller meals which also boosts your metabolism. This off course is all a different matter when you have other dietary problems, ie diabetes, etc. Its sinple really, don't let yourself go hungry, and when you eat smaller portions, you won't experience it even when you do miss a meal. It really is about a stretched stomach which is waiting for another big meal and when it doesn't come, you're gonna feel it! Good luck all. This aint medical advice, its just from experience :)

Hello, I've had the same problem for about 15 years and a few months ago seem to have figured out the cause and found a solution I'm satisfied with. My sharp pains occured everytime i simply did not eat soon enough or just didnt eat at all, and especially after I had something spicy earlier that day such as hot sause or wasabi. So the pain is actually indigestion. Tums do not work. So when i feel the pains coming, my usual response was to eat something asap, run home, curl up like a ball and wait for the gas to pass. But nowwwww- I have discovered peppermint beadlets. I take one with water (swallow it, dont let it dissolve in your mouth) and not only does it quickly help the gas come out, it stops the pain from getting to the "im dying" pain. It simply goes away. I also hardly ever get these pains now. Peppermint is supposed to heal your tummy. I hope this helps someone because I know how painful this is.

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Since there has been no additional follow-up from the doctor, it might be beneficial for you to get a different opinion from another doctor. It is your health, and you should get a satisfactory response. Until you can find an alternate solution, it sounds like snacking every few hours keeps the problem from happening. Although it will be extremely difficult, I tend to agree with GF4Life that it might be a good idea to try and give up wheat and gluten.

Hi, I want to add that Ive had 2 endoscopies, xrays, mri's and other types of tests and the only thing they ever found was H Palori which i took horrible medication for and nothing helped. i also had ulcers and acid reflux for years and was on daily meds for it until it healed. so i believe these hunger pains are all connected to some sort of indigestion. I also was on a gluten free diet for a couple of years and lactose free diet for 4 years and none if it helped the sharp hunger pains. i now know simply to not eat any super spicy things or take peppermint when it starts - or simply eat lots after the spicy food to keep my stomach settled.

Same problem.  Had the tests and all.  Best thing I did was start IMF (intermitten fasting).  There are lots of books and websites about this.  After about 3 days the bloating and gas started to go away.  I eat healthier too because there isn't time or enough room in my stomach to snack.  During my fasting time I drink a lot of water, green tea and herb tea.  At first I as super thirsty and realized I was often eating when I was probably thirsty.  I eat between 7am and 2pm and then fast for the next 17 hours.  I rarely feel hungry, but ususally a glass of water does the trick.  If I think I relly need something, I will have an apple or a glass of V-8 juice.  I did loose weight, but that was not my intention.  I actually upped my calories a bit during my eating time, so as not to "starve" my body.

i have this same problem! swelling in upper abdomen with a hollow feeling and a feeling of intense hunger. The food relieves the feeling and also lying on my stomach or burping or releasing the gas helps. I also noticed when i eat my stomach feels hollow and i can feel the food going all the way down. i also am sensitive to warm and cold liquid feel them enter my stomach. I have preferred foods such as pumpkin, carrot , avacado , yogurt.

Anyone also have additional adivce?

HI, I didn't see your update post--Did that anti-parasitic work for you?

dw. First X-ray exposes you to harmful radiation which is both unnecessary and dangerous. PCOS is a complex metabolic disorder which presents as excessive hunger due to high insulin production and low progesterone. Both leads to unopposed adrenaline your body's flight and fight response which stresses your digestive system. Further more, excessive stomach acid d/t hunger causes the bloating and gas you described. I recommend drinking distilled water throughout the day and to help with your condition. Braag's apple cider vinegar:water (1:5) ration drink before each meal helps too. Consult a naturopathic doctor or a medical doctor for a prescription of bioidentical progesterone will benefit you.

this is the first post I find about this problem! The only time the problem has gone away for me is when I go really low carb, as in 30 grams per day. So basically no simple sugars, no bread, pasta, rice or potatoes.

this may sound silly or old-fashioned, but I find apple cider vinegar (about two teaspoons in a hot cup of water) helps with this problem. I usually drink it right after eating, but sometimes before if I'm uncomfortable.

I have the same problem and it's soo inconsistent. I tend to get it at night if I'm too late for dinner but I can also get affected if I have too 'airy' a lunch, like a salad with no carbs. I have to eat every couple of hours and also tend to get headaches and feel zombied if I get too hungry. Sometimes it's difficult with work to always eat the best type of meal at the right times and I always tend to get it when I am out of the house. Just got in from having dinner out for which I had excruciating cramps throughout because I got too hungry. I was with a group so couldn't just leave so had to sit through it. But the pains end up in my chest and I feel sick also. Sometimes it comes in waves and I think it's easing and then it's worse than ever. Tends to only be lying down that solves it and even if I feel instant relief if I stand up again it's back. It's definitely air and gas/acid as my hunger disappears once I get the pains. I still eat as I know that's the issue but I can't manage much because the pain is too bad and I feel so bloated that it's like there isn't any room. But as I'm lying here now and it's finally easing, my hunger pangs are coming back, but I know if I get up the pains will be back. I find apples help as the acid in them dispel some gas. Buscopan tablets also if I feel the slightest twinge but if I'm too far gone then there is no hope apart from laying down. Where I can I try and eat every few hours and if I have to, break up my food so I don't eat too much otherwise I would pile on the pounds. I could quite easily eat a substantial meal each time. I'm now thinking of going to the doctors about hypoglysemia because of the headache relation too - thinking it could also be a sugar thang. I envy people that can eat one meal and be full for hours! But apart from self monitoring it, choosing the right foods for the right time, I don't think there is an easy solve! :-)

Go for stool test to check if u have HPYLORI