Persistant distended lower abdomen after eating/drinking. Grows bigger throughout the day.

I am an 81 year old lady with the exact same problem. I eat very healthy (lots of vegetables, whole grains, low fat dairy, fish and chicken) and I do 2 1/2 hours of exercises every day.

My doctor thinks my problem stems from the fact that I have lost 4 inches in my spine. I used to be 5'10" and I am now 5'6". I weight 110 so I am skinny everywhere except for the pot belly that becomes bigger and bigger during the day.

Eating junk food seems to help so I am wondering if it is all the veggies that cause this. I love healthy food and hesitate to even try eating otherwise.

I love almonds and have them every day. Now that I think about it this habit started about when the distention started. I will try without them. I wonder if that means giving up all nuts?

I eat grains every day for breakfast but I have been doing that for years. Thanks for the almond hint.

Reading these posts are just like reading about myself. Ihave the exact same problem. My stomach is flat in the morning, one little bite to eat or little drink will cause swelling. I've tried to exercise more to get rid of it. But obviously this isn't gunna work as my swelling is hard and huge! And my stomach is flat in a morning. The only way i can keep my stomach flat, is by not eating. I am 20 and have had this problem for 2 years, and it's starting to take over my life. I cannot describe how depressing it is. After eating or drinking, i look about 4/5 months pregnant. I can't wear and tight clothes, because i look awful! And it makes it worse because i know i am not a fat! And i don't know what's doing it. I cry about it everyday. Just really want some help! :( 

I have the exact same problem however it had started many years ago now.. my stomach is perfectly flat in the morning and once I eat any little thing it is all downhill from there and just continues to worsen through out the day.. I have tried everything from probitics, digestive enzymes, aloe vera juice, tried eating very clean, work out all the time, went to the doctors have been tested for intolerances, tried fiber supplements amongst other things. Went spurts without eating a lot to keep my stomach flat all day but there has to be a better way.. I am throwing around the idea of going to a specialist for my concerns because it seemed like after I went to just a general physician and they ran their blood tests and got paid they were like well nothing wrong with you have a nice day.. But I know there is I haven't always been this way and it really depresses me and is hard to think and function at time because it weighs on my mind.. I am 5'1 maybe a 100lbs give or take because of fluctuations and I work out regularly.. If someone has some type of resolution please let me know.. I did read online there is a different type of probiotic that has a different strand of bacteria in it that is suppose to help so I plan to stop at Whole Foods on my way home from work and give that a try.. If I come up with anything I will let you guys know..

Well, it's good to know that I'm not alone. I also have the same problem. I'm not sure when the bloating started but it got really bad a month ago. In the evenings I looked like I was 6 months pregnant. I also went to the doctor. All the blood tests were normal. They didn't call me back regarding the abdominal ultrasound they did so I assume they didn't find anything. I asked them to test for parasites since I was in Africa this year. They did find parasites in my stool but according to them they were small and not in big numbers so this was normal. That pissed me up because since when is it normal to have parasites in the human body? It might be common but definitely not normal. I ordered some product and I'm on it for about 1.5 weeks now. I haven't experienced any changes yet but the cleanse is 30 days long so it might help at the end. Who knows? I also recently changed my diet completely to a whole food, plant-based diet. I never ate much meat since I never liked it but 2.5 months ago I cut out all animal products. I have been using almond milk every day. Could that be the problem? I will definitely stop using it and see if that helps. Someone suggested that I drink raw, organic, unfiltered apple cider vinegar in the morning. I put two tablespoons in a glass of water and start the day with that. That seemed to help at first. I only looked 4 months pregnant versus 6 months by the end of the day. It also completely cleared up the eczema on my hands that I had for a year and could not get rid of it no matter how many colon cleanses and liver cleanses I did. I've been drinking the apple cider vinegar now for about 3 weeks and the eczema has not returned. At least I'm happy about that. My stomach bloating did return today. That is why I started researching again and I found this website. I feel the same way everybody else here. I'm very embarassed about it. I get depressed and cry because I don't have an answer or a solution. I cannot wear any tight clothing. My pants get so uncomfortable after eating lunch (when the big bloating starts) that I just want to come home and take them off. I can't even think about exercising because I'm so uncomfortable and I don't want to go anywhere just lay on the couch because in a horizontal position I don't look that horrible. I am skinny, too, and that's what makes it look even worse. I'm glad I found this website because it helps to know that I'm not alone. Also, someone might figure out what causes this and then we can all have an answer. In the meantime, if after finishing the 30-day parasite cleanse I'll see an improvement I'll let you guys know.

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Hi. I know you may have posted this awhile back, but I am interested in talking to you. I have the daily distented abdomen after I eat or drink ANYTHING. It has been going on for over 5 years. After so many doctors, tests drugs and surgeries I FINALLY had someone mention parasites. I was tested for them from the get go, but it was a local lab and they tested for 2 bugs I think. I have recently been tested at the Parasitology Center in Arizona w/Dr Amin. He did find some roundworm larvae (could not identify) and some pathogenic bacteria. I have been on his herbal product (Freedom, Cleanse, Restore) for 2 1/2 months--I saw abit of a change after a few weeks, but not so much now. Maybe distention not quite as big. I have eliminated alot of "bad stuff" from my diet-have been a pretty healthy eater, but have sugar occasionally. What diet do you follow to eliminate ALL of the sugar???

Hi. I just found this website and I wanted to reach out to you. I have the exact same thing that you do. It has been going on for over 5 years. I feel the same way you do EVERY day-wake up w/flat stomach, usually eat breakfast pretty well, after lunch terrible distended belly all the way thru dinner. I cannot stand to wear clothes-so uncomfortable. I am 5'4'" and usually weigh 115lbs. I am a healthy, very outgoing, fun person, but this has changed my life. I hate doing anything, I cannot take the feeling anymore, so depressed! I have been to SO many Western doctors, have tried every drug under the sun, have had every test done and even 3 surgeries thinking it was related to OB/GYN probs.
I had someone mention parasites a few months ago (I had been tested a few times, but just by the local GI, local lab techs, tested for like 2 bugs)--always negative. I ended up getting tested by the Parasitology Center in Scottsdale, AZ--Dr Amin. Look it up-it is one of the most renowned Parasitologists in the world. DO NOT let anyone tell you that it is OK to have parasites!!!! That is most definitely your problem!!!!!!! He found some roundworm larvae in my sample and some pathogenic bacteria. After all his years of research on parasites, he has come up with the best "herbal" product--it kills them, cleanses and also pumps your body up with good stuff that it needs! I have only been taking for 2 months--he told me I would have to take for at least 6 months since I have been sick for so long (I also was in Africa a year before this all started-may be the problem--or you can get parasites here too!). His cleeanse is very slow and safe. I am seeing a doctor here in Austin this week who uses his lab. I want to partner with him. I don't know that I have changed my diet enouugh along w/the herbal product. I still eat some sugar-not alot because I know it will cause such horrible distension--but, I think I need to cut it ALL out because the parasites love it. Anyway, hopefully he can help me get on track.

Please check out the Parasitology Center website. DO know that someone else is going thru EXACTLY what you are. It is so depressing because you cannot even stand to think that you will continue to live your life this way everyday. But, I really do think we are on to something w/the parasites! We just need to get rid of them!!!!

Here are a few tips: No Dairy, No Gluten, no yeast

Take a probiotic---Bio K (rice formula) is good.

Also have an endoscopy so that the doctor can view the inside of your abdoman. A nuclear test can also show it the stomach processes the food as it should. It's a painless test---takes about 2 hours. You'll eat something that is "radioactive" and the tests shows the food slowly exiting the stomach. Its a painless test, and well worth it. Your GI doctor can order this test and perform the endoscopy (to see if there is anything abnormal in your stomach, including an ulcer.

I was glad I found this as I realised there are others out there suffering the same but it's no comfort seeing how many lookin for solution with no joy :,( I noticed my bloated stomach following an eatin disorder through anxiety years ago but read it's natural for bloating following this and it does disperse evenly but I went on to put on alit of weight and was on medication for anxiety and depression, I was told the bloating was either weight or medication so I come off tablets and iv lust all the weight! I work out regularly and eat well I am jus under 5ft 2 and I now weigh 8st 5 pounds! In Mornin I wake up stomach nearly flat jus a slight bulge in lower abdomen but as day goes on no matter what I eat or drink by the end I look pregnant again :( I thought I did damage from eatin disorder years but had scan and bloods all came back fine, they said it could be ibs after eliminating tablets and weight but I don't have any other symptoms or discomfort jus the bloated stomach! One doctor said was fat abs to target area with core workouts and sit ups which is exactly what I did upped my cardio intensity and interval workouts I honestly couldn't workout any harder and it's demotivating knowin when I was this weight before my stomach was completely flat! Iv become obsessed takin pics every morning and night and checkin every mirror I pass and I suffer with depression not bein able to wear wa I want and should be able to for the amount of work I'm doing! I would how I wake up in morning but it doesn't last :,( sand thing everyday wake up feelin ok and as day goes on get more n more depressed with appearance! My doctors are reluctant to send me to dietician or for allergy tests just keep palming me off yet I'm going again today this time withy comparison pics! They keep telling me nothin wrong! I can't afford a private dietician I looked into it 60 pound a session! I'm runnin out of hope I can find cause like some lucky people have and are able to manage it after finding triggers but for me it doesn't matter what I eat or drink it jus grows throughout day everyday :( and no targeted exercise will resolve as I don't wake up like that in the morning if makes me not want to eat it try liquid diet which us unrealistic I even wanna try lose another 5 pound to see if that helps even though I know I don't need to lose anymore weight! Thy tried me on mebeverine for ibs with no luck as I don't think that's the issue I just don't want to accept this and want to be able to wear bikini and tight clothes in summer that iv worked out do hard for for years which I should be able to now :( I just don't know what else to do :(

I have the exact same issue. I'm 14 and way 102 pounds. I have always had a flat stomach, but I have recently noticed this. It's really annoying because it's almost summer and I look pregnant. It only shows up right after I eat or drink anything. Is it bloating???Help!!!

I realize this post is over a year old but was hoping you could update your experience and outcome. All your signs point to SIBO - small intestinal overgrowth. Was that your final diagnosis and if so, how did you cure it?
Thanks

I'm 15 years old, average weight and height. A week ago i was changing put my shirt on and it felt tight around belly section. Looked in the mirror and I look like 5 months pregnant. I check my weight and it was the same. What's weird is that as soon as i go home from school my stomach goes from relatively flat to bulging around only the belly-button area. So worried. Not experiencing any pain or anything else. Around 6 months ago I stopped eating and processed food, the only junk food I eat is chocolate. What do I do?

Hi

If you think delayed digestion is the cause, then try drinking warm water. This had made me feel light and releases the gas. Hope it will bring some relief to your problem.

I sympathize completely! What you describe is exactly what I have been going thru for about 3 years and no hint of what the cause could be. I am female, 5"6" about 123 lbs and excersize regularly. About 3 yrs ago this problem started with NO change to my eating habits or lifestyle. By the end of the day, I look to be quite pregnant. I have eliminated wheat, sugar, coffee etc. at different times and nothing food related seems to help. I have had GI series, colonoscopy and ultrasound. Nothing shows up. My distension is also just below the belly button and to the right side. No pain, no gas, not constipation. Please post if you have found anything out.