Cancer Diary: When Bloating Doesn’t Go Away
We all know bloating — that tight, swollen feeling after a meal, the waistband that suddenly feels too snug, the sigh of relief when it passes. But what happens when it doesn’t pass? When bloating becomes a daily companion — not a passing annoyance but a persistent presence — it’s time to listen more closely. Because sometimes, bloating isn’t about food at all. It’s about what’s happening inside the body. 1. The ordinary causes — and why they matter Most bloating is benign: Swallowed air from eating quickly or talking while eating Gas from digestion or food intolerances Hormonal changes Constipation But when bloating becomes chronic , progressive , or unexplained , it can signal something deeper — especially when paired with other changes like pain, fatigue, or weight loss. 2. The cancers most often linked to bloating Persistent bloating can accompany several cancers, particularly those in the abdomen and pelvis: Ovarian cancer — one of the most classic presentations. Women ofte...