Last Updated on: 26th July 2024, 09:51 am
This article was written by Associate Registered Nutritionist (ANutr) Cherie Ko, and reviewed by Registered Dietitian, Sarah Idakwo.
Anorexia nervosa is a serious eating disorder that affects millions of people worldwide, often leading to severe physical and psychological complications. One common but often overlooked symptom of anorexia is bloating. This uncomfortable condition can cause significant distress and further complicate recovery efforts. In this blog, we will explore the causes of anorexia-related bloating and how to cope with Bloating during anorexia nervosa recovery.
What is bloating?
Bloating occurs when gas accumulates within our gut, leading to sensations of fullness, increased abdominal size, discomfort, rumbling noises, and even heightened flatulence.
Bloating is a natural phenomenon and part of our body’s response due to our dietary habits or food choices.
This includes:
- Inadvertently swallowing air while eating or drinking.
- Sudden increases in fibre intake, legumes, or cruciferous vegetables.
- Eating too much or too fast
- Constipation
- Hormonal fluctuations due to menstruation
While bloating is part of our body’s general response, it’s crucial to recognise that bloating may also signal underlying issues that need to be addressed with treatment. If bloating is persistent or is progressively getting worse and is experienced alongside other symptoms it is advised to seek medical attention from a healthcare professional.
What causes anorexia bloating?
Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a restrictive eating disorder that can lead to gastrointestinal issues such as bloating.
When someone restricts food for a long period of time, the lack of essential nutrients can cause the entire body to go into ‘conservation mode’ in an attempt to conserve energy and protect itself. The body responds to the adverse effects of food deprivation by making physical and psychological changes to protect itself, this is sometimes referred to as metabolic adaptation. This also leads to a decrease in heart rate, blood flow, metabolism and brain functioning, but also the slow down of contractions in the stomach and intestines in response to the lack of food (1).
A study among people with AN found that food remained in the stomach for double the duration or even longer than usual (2). As food is passed through the intestines, it’s broken down by bacteria in our gut and gas is produced as a byproduct of this process. With an overall slower digestive movement, food that is eaten sits longer within the intestinal tracts and ferments more. This can lead to more gas production, and in many cases instances of bloating (3).
Another cause for bloating during AN could be water retention. During AN, the body’s functions have been adapted to survive on small amounts of food and fluids. When more is introduced during the refeeding process, the body is still in starvation mode and would hold on to as much nutrients and water as possible. This would lead to water retention in all parts of the body and also in the abdominal area – or what we know as bloating (4).
Coping with Bloating during anorexia recovery
Managing the symptoms of bloating
The most effective way to alleviate bloating related to anorexia is by addressing the eating disorder itself.
Studies have shown that gastrointestinal issues related to anorexia nervosa return to normal for the majority of people who recover from eating disorders (5). Increasing nutritional intake while having anorexia bloat can be challenging, due to feelings of fullness from being bloated. However, it is crucial to continue eating regular meals and snacks to keep the digestive system moving.
Other natural approaches to alleviate bloating include abdominal massage, warm baths, wearing comfortable clothing, and drinking peppermint tea or taking peppermint oil, which can help to soothe the intestinal tract.
Managing body image
Bloating occurring during anorexia nervosa recovery can potentially trigger unhelpful thoughts or behaviours related to the fear of gaining weight. This discomfort can exacerbate body image issues, making the recovery process more challenging.
It’s important to remember that bloating is a temporary and natural part of the recovery process.
Practising mindfulness, stress-reduction techniques, and seeking support from a therapist or an eating disorder dietitian can help to support your recovery. They can help you develop coping strategies for managing body image concerns and address underlying emotional triggers that may arise during recovery.
Conclusion
If you or someone you know has an eating disorder and is suffering from bloating, the first step is seeking help and connecting with professionals. Bloating can be a challenging symptom to manage during anorexia recovery and many people living with anorexia find the feeling of being bloated incredibly triggering. However with the right support and strategies, it can be alleviated. Remember, addressing the underlying eating disorder is crucial to finding relief and achieving long-term health.
Are you ready to take control of your health and recovery journey?
If you or a loved one is struggling with anorexia and experiencing symptoms like bloating, it’s essential to seek professional support. Reach out to our team here to take your first step towards recovery.
