[All_American_Girl]

This didn't happen recently, but is it normal. Like my stomach is really big. Kinda looks like I'm pregnant. It's not an over exaggeration, though. Could this be related to doing this to my body for so long? Could it just be that's the way I was born? It's not porportional with the rest of my body, that's fore sure.

I'm 100 percent sure I'm not pregnant and I've never been pregnant and I'm 24

[waggiedog]

[COLOR="DarkOrange"Hello All American Girl!! OK now, I'm 55 and I have the same problem as yourself and don't like it either. However, my bloated tummy is a result of years of messing around with crazy diets and eating disorders. I'm assuming that your history doesn't include any of this bodily abuse. I think I'd def advise a trip to your Dr because of two issues. You say this isn't new and you don't mention any problems with eating disorders in the past. You must be safe and see your Dr. Do come back and let us know how you are doing hunny. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX ][/COLOR]

[All_American_Girl]

Originally Posted by waggiedog

[COLOR="DarkOrange"Hello All American Girl!! OK now, I'm 55 and I have the same problem as yourself and don't like it either. However, my bloated tummy is a result of years of messing around with crazy diets and eating disorders. I'm assuming that your history doesn't include any of this bodily abuse. I think I'd def advise a trip to your Dr because of two issues. You say this isn't new and you don't mention any problems with eating disorders in the past. You must be safe and see your Dr. Do come back and let us know how you are doing hunny. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX ][/COLOR]

Hi thanks for replying. I do have an eating disorder...I pm'd u giving u more info...I would love to know if the two r related

[Aloneandafraid]

Im feeling the same today. I too have an ED. HATE IT.

Kinda like what you see in the kids in 3rd world countries?

I think it's called abdominal distension or something.

The lack of something in your diet causes a kind of bloating effect.

I think.

It's been along time.

[Extra mile]

Originally Posted by BeteNoire

Kinda like what you see in the kids in 3rd world countries?

I think it's called abdominal distension or something.

The lack of something in your diet causes a kind of bloating effect.

I think.

It's been along time.

It sounds like kwashiorkor, which is seen most often in developing countries. It's caused by inadequate protein and energy consumption. Protein is needed to maintain the circulatory system, to pull fluids out of tissues when needed. Lack of enough protein to accomplish this results in swelling. Do you have swelling at your joints, too, particularly ankles?

The reason for the pregnant-looking belly is the fluid building up. A second reason is that the liver becomes fatty. This is related: you know how you have lymph nodes that get swollen when your body's fighting some sort of infection? Well, it needs protein. When it doesn't get it, it can't help maintain the way fluids are processed in the body (hence the swelling,) it can't process fat properly (hence the fatty liver,) and immune system functioning is depressed, so it's harder to fight off illnesses and infections.

The term "kwashiorkor" is derived from Ghana. It means "disease of the child when the new baby is born," because the older child is no longer getting the protein-rich mother's milk.

Please go to your doctor.

And please eat more protein and vitamin-rich foods (produce,) because vitamins help the body use protein effectively.

If you don't like eating meat, other protein sources include beans, nuts, eggs, yogurt, cheese, hummus, and peanut butter, to name a few.

I struggle with eating enough sometimes, too. I'm glad you posted, and hope this information is helpful. I'm glad you posted, and hope your health improves.

[Extra mile]

I need to add--if you have kwashiorkor, it's important that proteins be introduced back slowly. The strain on the liver can be fatal if it's too much at once. I understand that doctors start with milk proteins in small amounts and gradually work up.

It's vitally important that you get medical help.

[eskielover]

I have always had a little bulge there because my hips are close together & I am a small person.....so no matter how much exercise I did how many sit-ups, or how little I weigher....there was just more of me than could fit between my two pelvic bones.....which was also why I couldn't have my baby naturally because there wasn't enough room for her to come out naturally (I wasn't built to have babies...lol....which was ok because I didn't mentally want children either).

Also I remember when I was younger, & had my periods, I would always get bloated during that time of month which made that bulge look even worse. have found cloths that will definitely cover it up & make me look slim.

Also if I eat a lot of salty foods, I tend to get bloated there also.....it's the first place any weight goes on & it's the last place it comes off.

So if you don't have any specific illnesses that are causing it.....it might just be the way your body is.

[msandsm]

Hi. I'm sorry for what you're going through. I agree with extra mile. It sounds a lot like kwashiorkor, a sign of malnutrition, usually a lack of protein. You [B]must[B]see a doctor soon - it can be a dangerous disease.
Good luck, and take care.

[HonestlyLying]

All American Girl- - -

You know that some E.D.'s destroy our ability to see our bodies as they really are. Have your doctor check you out medically before you allow the judgement of an eating disordered mind to take over.

If what you say IS TRUE, you may have damaged your G.I. tract in a very serious manner.

Get Help with this.

Lauren Ann