How to Tell the Difference Between Water Retention and Air in Your Stomach
Share
To tell the difference between water retention and air in the stomach, here’s what to look out for:
-
Water Retention:
-
Swelling or Puffiness: Water retention typically causes your stomach to feel bloated and swollen, especially around your midsection. It may feel tight or full, and you might notice puffiness in other areas like your hands, ankles, or feet.
-
Slow to Relieve: Water retention can take longer to go down, even after using the bathroom. If you feel like your stomach is bloated but not necessarily "hard," it could be due to fluid retention.
-
Triggering Factors: It can be triggered by factors like high salt intake, hormonal changes, or dehydration. It’s more common around certain times of the month or after eating salty foods.
-
-
Air in the Stomach:
-
Cramping and Pain: When air is trapped in your stomach, it tends to cause sharp pains, cramps, or a gurgling feeling. You might also feel the need to burp or pass wind.
-
Quick Relief: Unlike water retention, air in the stomach usually causes temporary discomfort that’s relieved when you burp or pass wind. If you feel better after releasing air, it’s likely not water retention.
-
Movement and Digestive Changes: Air often results from swallowing air while eating, drinking, or talking. It can also be linked to certain foods that are harder to digest.
-
The key difference is that water retention feels more like a tight, swollen sensation, while air in the stomach is associated with discomfort that comes and goes quickly with release. If you’re unsure or the discomfort persists, it’s always best to speak to a healthcare professional.