Symptom Definition

The most common symptoms of abdominal swelling are:

• Pain or cramps in the abdomen
• Bloating
• Belching
• Headache
• Heart palpitations

The presence of abnormal swelling accompanied by pain that occurs unexpectedly and repeatedly requires medical advice.

Fever, rapid weight loss or anaemia are also signs that you should seek immediate medical advice.

Causes to be evaluated

There are many reasons for this:

• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Acute gastroenteritis
• Unbalanced diet
• Pancreatic insufficiency
• Psychological problems such as stress or anxiety
• Medication side effects

Naturopathic protocol

🍽️ Nutrition

Avoid eating foods that are difficult for the body to digest or that ferment easily:

• Vegetables rich in fructans (fibre made up mainly of fructose molecules) such as lentils, white beans, chickpeas, cabbage, artichokes, corn and those with a strong flavour such as onions, spring onions, garlic and the white part of leeks.

Because the body lacks the enzyme that assimilates fructans, the intestines are unable to digest them fully, leading to problems with gas and bloating:

• Avoid dairy products if you are intolerant to casein.
• Avoid gluten if intolerant.

Eat a dissociated diet:

• Only combine proteins and raw/cooked vegetables or cereals and raw/cooked vegetables in the same meal.
• Do not eat cheese, soft drinks, cakes, jams or white bread at the same meal.

Drink warm, lightly salted water after eating.

Eat slowly and chew.

Reduce high glycaemic index carbohydrates and increase the amount of fresh vegetables.

🌿 Phytotherapy

First Intention

Mother tincture of Peppermint:

• 30 drops, 3 times daily in a glass of water
• Duration: 3 weeks renewable

In case of stress, associate:

Mother tincture of Valerian:

• 30 drops, 3 times daily in a glass of water
• Duration: 3 weeks renewable

To complement

Fennel seed is excellent for reducing flatulence and supporting digestive and bowel function:

• In herbal tea, ampoules or capsules

🌳 Gemmotherapy

• Blueberry: digestive system regulator
• Walnut: to detoxify the body
• Raspberry tree: for women who experience bloating during their cycle due to increased progesterone and not because of overeating.
• Take 7 drops in 1 teaspoon of water at midday and evening before meals.
• Duration: 3 weeks

🌺 Aromatherapy

Essential oil of Tarragon or Tropical basil:

• Apply 1 to 2 drops to the stomach in a massage, 2 times a day after meals, until you feel better.

Essential oil of Wild mint:

• 1 drop in a little honey to swallow, 3 or 4 times a day for a few days after meals.

💊 Micronutrition

• In the case of acidity or gastric enlargement, calm the stomach with a little Lithothamnium powder, which is rich in alkaline calcium.
• Propolis, Licorice extract, or digestive enzymes are also recommended.

Clean and disinfect the bowel:

• Remove excess gases "mechanically" with Activated carbon (alone or combined with ultra-fine clay).

Maintain and strengthen the intestinal flora with good quality probiotics that suit "your" organism:

• Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG  and Saccharomyces boulardii 
• For regular courses of 10 days or more.

🧘‍♂️ Manual Techniques

Calm and control stress and anxiety every day with:

• Abdominal breathing
• Sophrology

Do trunk rotations from right to left, standing upright, back straight, arms horizontal, without moving the pelvis, to evacuate air from the stomach or intestines.

🌼 Homeopathy

Homeopathic treatment will vary depending on the location of the swelling and the associated symptoms.

• To relieve flatulence, take 5 granules of Carbo Vegetalis 5 CH, 3 times a day.
• If the symptoms are accompanied by a feeling of pressure in the stomach, it is best to take 5 granules of Carbo Vegetalis 7 CH, 3 times a day.
• In the case of stomach pain, it is advisable to take 5 granules of Nux Vomica 5 CH after each meal.
• For anxious individuals suffering from swelling accompanied by noisy eruptions, 5 granules of Argentum Nitricum 9 CH should be taken 3 times a day.
• If, on the other hand, the eruptions are foul-smelling, it is recommended that 5 granules of Asa Foetida 5 CH be taken 3 times a day.
• If the swelling is in the lower part of the abdomen and is accompanied by gaseous emissions, homeopathic treatment is based on Lycopodium 5 CH, 5 granules, 3 times a day.
• In the case of difficulty in passing gas, it is possible to take 5 granules of Raphanus 5 CH, 3 times a day.
• To relieve gastric and intestinal atony, take 5 granules of Nux Moschata 4 CH, 3 times a day.
• Swelling caused by stress should be treated with Ignatia 7 CH, 5 granules before each meal. This remedy can also be used in high dilution (15 CH), at the rate of one dose every 10 days.