Big belly in women. Causes and treatment, diagnosis, how to get rid of

Many girls are embarrassed to wear a bikini because their body is spoiled by one terrible thing - our tummy.

Most of us think that the best way to get a flat stomach is to do hundreds of exercises in the gym. But that's not true, says trainer and renowned TV personality James Dughian.

Dugian is considered one of the world's best specialists in shaping a healthy and slender body, and he insists: in such a matter as a flat stomach, there are no universal recipes. The thing is that there are five main types of tummy, and each of them requires a special approach.

Let's look at all the types of tummies and decide what to do with them:

Why does fat accumulate in the abdominal area?

The reasons may be different, and it depends on how you can get your figure in order, in what time, and whether there is a risk of returning to your previous undesirable shape.

Nutrition

The enemy of a slim body is unhealthy and irrational nutrition. An unbalanced diet provokes fat deposits in problem areas. And the abundance of food eaten at one time stretches the walls of the stomach.

Nutritionists suggest giving up:

• white bread;
• carbonated drinks;
• sweet desserts;
• beer;
• chips and crackers
• various fast food.

The diet should have a predominance of protein foods:

• low fat cottage cheese;
• poultry meat;
• lean beef;
• eggs (chicken, quail);
• vegetables

To prevent the stomach walls from stretching, food should be taken in small portions 3-4 times a day. A large belly in women, the causes of which lie in poor nutrition, can be significantly reduced without additional effort; you just need to listen to the advice of specialists.

Physical activity level

An inactive, sedentary lifestyle significantly affects muscles, including abdominal ones:

• tissue elasticity decreases;
• the overall tone of the body decreases;
• the abdominal wall ceases to hold its shape and stretches;
• metabolism occurs more slowly;
• there is a risk of prolapse of internal organs;
• visual looseness of the figure appears.

To improve the condition it is recommended:

• in 10 minutes. after eating, exercise for 15 minutes in the fresh air;
• start the morning with gymnastics;
• start pumping your abdominal muscles;
• walk more often, stop using the elevator, transport;
• Give yourself physical activity several times during the working day.

A specialized set of exercises to restore abdominal muscle tone can be found on the Internet.

Bad habits

Extra pounds appear where there are bad habits:

• Drinking alcoholic beverages. The mechanism of action is such that, first of all, they are absorbed, creating a picture of saturation, in which most of the food eaten is sent to fat deposits. In women, the main deposits are located mainly in the lower abdomen and thighs.

• Smoking . A smoked cigarette slows down metabolism, and then the body begins to “shove into the corners” unexcreted and undigested substances.
• Systematic overeating . Excess useful and not so useful substances are sent to the storage areas of the “apron” on the stomach and the “breeches” of the hips.
• Eating in the evening , before bed.
• Ill-considered abandonment of bad habits . If you suddenly give up cigarettes and replace them with candies and cookies, you may gain additional weight. A similar picture awaits those who decide to use diets or fasting. The body perceives this as a threat and, fearing a further lack of food, tries to force its owner to “break loose” and start eating at an accelerated pace, for future use.

Avitaminosis

Medical studies have shown that a lack of vitamin D in the body is associated with the formation of excess fat.

You can replenish it:

• using sunbathing;
• taking fish oil;
• eating butter;
• inclusion in the regular diet of sea fish.

The next one, vitamin C, promotes metabolism and reduces the amount of cortisol in the body (the culprit behind the accumulation of harmful visceral fat). It has been proven that women who prefer yellow and red products are slimmer in the waist.

In addition to citrus fruits, vitamin C is found in:

• bell pepper;
• mango;
• kiwi;
• sauerkraut.

In adulthood, the female body begins to absorb nutrients worse; therefore, in order to avoid vitamin deficiency, doctors recommend taking multivitamin complexes.

Diseases of internal organs

A large belly in women, the causes of which are associated with diseases of the internal organs, can be reduced by removing the main problem.

For example:

• Edema phenomena . In the area of ​​the abdomen and mediastinum there are a large number of lymph nodes. If they begin to work with overload, then lymph stagnation occurs, which causes swelling and visually increases waist size.
• Presence of uterine fibroids . Asymptomatic fibroids that increase in size give the impression of gaining excess weight. But it’s not a diet that will help here, but a visit to a gynecologist to clarify the diagnosis and carry out, for example, embolization of the uterine arteries.
• Ascid (cystic formation containing fluid). The disease has several causes (organ dysfunction, post-traumatic event) and can be localized in the ovaries or pancreas. At a certain size, the formation tends to be located in the central region of the abdomen.
• Polycystic disease , accompanied by gigantic enlargement of the kidneys. With the disease, all organs in the abdominal area shift forward, causing protrusion.

An increase in volume can also be the result of an enlarged liver due to cirrhosis, as well as cancerous tumors.

Inability to rest properly

With age, the inability to properly organize your rest affects your figure more and more.

Body fat is more likely to increase in people who:

• spend little time sleeping at night;
• do not take daily walks in the fresh air;
• prefer to eat high-calorie foods at night;
• systematically overeat, especially on holidays;
• do not alternate mental activities with physical ones.

Flatulence

The disease is characterized by intense gas formation and slow release of accumulated air to the outside. As a result, the walls of the abdomen swell, visually increasing its size.

In order to avoid such a picture, it is necessary to limit the following in your diet:

• legumes;
• grain crops;
• white cabbage;
• broccoli;
• a number of fruits that cause fermentation, as well as apples and plums.

A large belly in women can cause flatulence.
It is important to take the initial processing of food seriously when eating: chew each portion thoroughly and slowly. In case of systematic gas formation, it is recommended to consult a gastroenterologist.

Poor posture

A sedentary, sedentary lifestyle affects the weakening of the muscular frame and deformation of the spine. One of the manifestations of this picture is hyperlordosis - a significant forward deflection of the lower back. In this case, the stomach protrudes not only due to anatomical disorders, but also because the functioning of the intestines is disrupted, bloating appears, which aggravates the appearance.

To prevent the occurrence of these phenomena or in their early stages, exercises for the lower back can help.

They are included in such complexes of physical activity as “Youth and health of the spine.” Acquired scoliosis, a curvature of the spine in the cervicothoracic region, can also affect posture. Possible displacement of organs with it is reflected in the shape of the abdomen.

Hereditary factor

The presence of an enlarged abdomen may be a genetically determined factor. Predisposition is identified through visual analysis of the appearance of parents and other close relatives.

In this case, it is difficult to get rid of excess volume; it is easier to keep yourself in shape so as not to gain even more weight. People with pear-shaped and apple-shaped figures are especially susceptible to fat deposits in the lower body.

Impact of stress

Stressful situations trigger the body's defense mechanism: the production of cortisol begins, which forces glucose to break down and fight the nervous condition. With a constant elevated level of the hormone in the blood and waste of glucose, the brain gives the command to make savings in reserve.

Hence the expression “Stress Eating.” Often, unconsciously, a person begins to eat unlimited quantities of sweets and high-calorie foods. The excess forms a cortisol belly.

A large belly in women, the causes of which are explained by stress, can be removed independently by following 6 rules:

1. avoid conflicts and stress;
2. include physical exercise in your daily routine;
3. get used to eating slowly, chewing food;
4. limit consumption of coffee and energy drinks;
5. follow a basic diet;
6. ensure sufficient, healthy sleep.

Don't miss the most popular article in the section: Morning exercises for those over 40, 50. Gymnastics exercises for weight loss, video lessons.

Excess weight

Excess volume on the body, including on the stomach, appears from overeating. Some of the nutrients are not consumed by the body and are deposited in the tissues. Most often, calories from sweets, baked goods, and fatty foods are sent to the bins.

Experts recommend, at a minimum:

• limit yourself in carbohydrate consumption;
• go in for sports (fitness);
• monitor the condition of the intestines;
• Drink enough fluids (not juices or soda).

Hormonal imbalances

Obesity can be a consequence of hormonal imbalances. One of the options is problems with the thyroid gland - hypothyroidism.

The disease provokes:

• metabolic disease;
• insomnia;

• lethargy;
• quick gain of kg.

Correction of the gland's functioning can be done under the guidance of a doctor by increasing iodine intake. Excess weight becomes a contributing factor to hormonal changes associated with menopause. The lack of sex hormones affects the increased formation of visceral (abdominal) fat, which is localized under the muscles and around the organs.

Pregnancy

A significant increase in the abdomen during pregnancy, in addition to the size of the fetus and the main, physiologically justified reason, may have several other reasons.

For example:

• multiple births;
• metabolic disease;
• diabetes;
• polyhydramnios;
• swelling;
• significant weight gain;
• tumor of the placenta tissue.

In order to keep your health under control you need:

• systematic consultations with a gynecologist;
• taking measurements from the 20th week;
• blood test to determine the amount of sugar;
• regulated fluid intake;
• a diet that limits sweets, fatty foods, and foods that cause gas.

"Little Dog"

Such a belly appears in overly caring mothers or in those who are desperately building a career.
It even happens that such a tummy appears in those who overexhaust themselves in the gym. The reason in all three cases is the same: excessive stress on the back. This causes the abdominal muscles to fall forward. Quick fix plan

The basis of everything is good nutrition . Add fiber: You need to improve the functioning of your digestive system at all costs. Surely you often suffer from bloating, constipation or other problems associated with its poor functioning. Bran bread and leafy vegetables are great.

Avoid squats. They will only distort your spine even more. Instead, do a few yoga poses in the morning—those that focus on supporting your back muscles.

The main advice for owners of such a belly

Start thinking about the health of your stomach. Don't let your stomach hurt, drink more water, eat easily digestible foods: green vegetables, light meat rich in protein, fish, chicken.

Diagnosis of pathologies associated with an increase in abdominal volume

An initial visual examination of the abdomen can provide presumptive information about the reasons for its enlargement:

The doctor can recreate a more detailed picture based on the patient’s story and the results obtained after basic research.

For example:

• analysis for the presence of sugar in the blood;

• blood test for hormones;
• stool analysis for the content of pus, parasites, particles of undigested food;
• Ultrasound of the abdominal cavity and uterus for inflammation or neoplasms.

Methods for treating and reducing belly fat

Most cases of abdominal enlargement are treatable. To do this, it is necessary to correctly identify the causes and eliminate them. Both medications and a properly established lifestyle can be involved in the fight against excess volumes.

Treatment for pathologies of internal organs

Treatment is aimed at eliminating the causes of abdominal growth.

Depending on the diagnosis, the following are used:

• conservative methods of drug treatment (for example, diabetes mellitus);
• surgery (tumors, fibroids);
• physiotherapy (against congestion in the lymphatic system);
• traditional medicine recipes (as additional and preventive measures).

In many cases, in addition to specialized therapy, drugs are prescribed that enhance metabolism (based on ginseng, Echinacea purpurea) and diuretics (potassium acetate, Turboslim-drainage), which help to intensively remove excess fluid and toxins from the body.

Physical activity

An enlarged belly is not always a consequence of accumulated fat deposits. A sedentary lifestyle leads to weakening of the abdominal muscles, they are no longer able to maintain their shape, and because of this, the skin is also stretched. As a result, under the pressure of the insides of the abdomen, its front part protrudes.

You can get rid of this phenomenon:

• signing up for fitness;

• starting abdominal exercises at home;
• taking up Nordic walking;
• visiting the swimming pool several times a week;
• doing daily morning jogging.

If excess volumes appear from overeating, then a diet with a limited amount of carbohydrates must be added to the listed physical activities.

Diet therapy

How to eat to be satisfied with your shape.

Nutritionists suggest adhering to 10 basic rules, according to which within 7-10 days you must:

1. Ensure that the body receives a sufficient amount of fiber (30-35 g per day), which prolongs the feeling of fullness for a long time;
2. Systematically consume fish as a source of Omega-3 (fatty acids). At the same time, metabolism is activated and fats are burned.
3. Replace coffee with green tea. The drink's polyphenols improve immunity and convert subcutaneous fat into energy.
4. Reduce your intake of cabbage and broccoli, which cause bloating.
5. Replace simple carbohydrates and sugar with complex ones: cereals, brown rice, whole grain breads.
6. Reduce the amount of salt consumed, replacing it, where possible, with lemon and spices.
7. Include dairy products with a regular percentage of fat in your diet.
8. To prolong the feeling of fullness, eat a small handful of nuts or avocados.
9. To remove excess fluid from the body, periodically drink a decoction from a bunch of parsley.
10. Eat a fresh cucumber salad every day to help reduce swelling.

Hormonal treatment

In women, the causes of a large belly can be hormonal disorders associated with:

• disruptions in the endocrine system;
• pregnancy and childbirth;
• sexual dysfunction;
• restructuring of the body during menopause.

To make a diagnosis, studies are carried out:

• blood test for the content and ratio of hormones;
• Ultrasound;

• brain tomography;
• additional profile analyses.

Based on the results obtained, hormone therapy is prescribed: tablets, suppositories, injections. If the body produces insufficient hormones, replacement therapy is carried out; if there is an excess, drugs are prescribed that suppress the active production of the substance. Any prescriptions should be made exclusively by a doctor.

Physiotherapy

Today, the following procedures are used in the fight against excess weight:

• vacuum roller massage designed to increase muscle and skin tone;
• contrast shower, which allows you to activate blood flow and metabolic processes in cells;
• wrapping in film - a kind of greenhouse effect allows cells to get rid of excess fluid and fatty waste;
• pressotherapy, based on the impact of compressed air on tissue using a special sealed suit;
• massage with essential oils;
• point effects on bioactive points;
• laser lipolysis aimed at reducing the volume of fat cells.

Any of these procedures may have contraindications.

Most often, doctors recommend that women with:

• myoma, fibroma;
• stones in the kidneys, gallstones or bladder;
• tumors;
• oncological diseases;
• acute skin diseases;
• cardiovascular diseases.

With age, it is difficult to maintain the same shape, but a woman must be motivated to get to the bottom of the reason in order to remove the still small but already growing belly. Timely diagnosis and prevention will help prolong the youth of the figure.

Article design: Oleg Lozinsky

Additional procedures:

• Cold and hot shower. It increases blood circulation in problem areas. Do it in the morning after exercise. Start with 10 seconds under warm and cold water that your body tolerates. Gradually it will get used to lower temperatures.

• Massage is another effective way to improve blood circulation. Anti-cellulite and lymphatic drainage massage is especially helpful. These techniques are excellent at combating local fat deposits.

• Hardware procedures in beauty salons and health centers. Cavitation, LPG massage, myostimulation and other technologies will also help remove fat from the abdomen, sides and other problem areas.