Many of us would like our stomach to be a little flatter or a little more toned, but your stomach is more important than whether you feel confident in a crop top or not.
Paul Banwell, a plastic and cosmetic surgeon, explained that there are four types of stomachs, and the shape of your stomach can provide key information about your overall health.
London-based founder and director of the Banwell Clinic told Femail that a “soft” belly that can’t be explained by diet or lack of exercise could be due to a hormonal imbalance that may need to be treated.
Meanwhile, “beer belly” can be caused by any alcohol and affects women just as much as men and can be a warning sign of fatty liver disease.
Here Femail talks about the four types of belly and how to deal with yours.
hormonal belly
A hormonal belly is common but should be treated as hormones help regulate many bodily functions.
Dr. Banwell says that if your stomach “feels like a pillow” in both the front and lower back, it could be a sign of hormonal dysfunction in the body.
He says it’s “common” but should be treated because hormones help regulate many of our body’s functions, including metabolism, stress, hunger, and sex drive.
He says that if you’re seeing sudden changes in your physique and can’t attribute it to overeating or lack of exercise, then it could mean you’re struggling with hormonal issues.
“If a person is deficient in certain hormones, this can lead to weight gain in the abdomen, known as the hormone belly,” said Dr. Banwell.
He advises talking to your primary care physician first to check for any underlying medical conditions.
An indication that the struggle with excess belly fat and sudden weight gain is very common among perimenopausal to postmenopausal women.
Compassionate that a menopausal belly can be very uncomfortable for women, and that even if you try the latest dietary fads and exercise, it can be difficult to change.
He suggests cutting back on sugar, cutting out processed foods from your diet, and avoiding foods like dairy, alcohol, and caffeine, all of which can help bring down blood sugar and insulin levels.
Bloated and bloated belly
Bloating can be caused by eating too much or too quickly. But it can also be a sign of a food intolerance.
“While bloating and bloating are not associated with belly fat, they are indicative of digestive disorders that can eventually lead to belly fat,” Dr. Banwell said.
A bloated stomach often feels tight, painful, and full, and the most common cause is excess gas, which can be caused by eating too much and eating too quickly.
But it can also be caused by a food intolerance, and again, he says you should talk to your doctor before seeking further treatment.
He notes that some people also feel bloated during their period and recommends a probiotic like Gut Complex from his own new brand ARTIS London.
ALCOHOLIC TUMMY (OR BEER TELLY)
A beer belly also affects women and can be dangerously linked to fatty liver disease. Dr. Banwell suggests cutting back on alcohol and exercising more.
If you drink a lot of beer, wine, or prosecco, your stomach may become round and bulging.
“While a beer belly is more common in men, it definitely affects women,” Dr. Banwell said.
“This is an unhealthy lifestyle and the diet needs to be changed. In fact, not only beer causes this stomach.
“Any kind of calories, be it alcohol, sugary drinks or large portions, can increase belly fat in this way.
Alcohol-based weight gain tends to “result in overall belly enlargement” and is “dangerously” associated with fatty liver disease.
Fatty liver disease usually causes no signs or symptoms, but may include liver enlargement, fatigue, and abdominal pain.
The disease can cause scarring and permanent damage to the liver, and can also progress to cirrhosis (scarring) and organ failure.
He suggests starting by cutting down on alcohol consumption in general and increasing physical activity.
Dr. Banwell promotes healthy eating for all of his clients, including plenty of fruits, vegetables, and plenty of water.
mummy tummy
Pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding can be stressful for a mother—mum’s belly can be the biggest worry for women.
What is diastasis rectus abdominis?
Diastasis rectus abdominis, or divergence, is when two muscles running down the middle of the stomach separate during pregnancy.
This is a fairly common ailment, but the degree of discharge for each woman is different.
Women may notice a bulge on the front of the abdomen, above or below the navel.
Separation usually returns to normal eight weeks after the baby is born.
But women may be at risk for back problems if a tear is still evident at this time, and they should contact their GP.
How to reduce the size of diastasis rectus abdominis
– pelvic floor exercises
– Exercises for deep abdominal muscles
– Stand up straight and watch your posture
Source: National Health Service
Mummy tummy is a condition that can cause the most discomfort to women after childbirth.
Dr. Banwell says this often happens “because of bad social media portrayal” where women expect their bodies to bounce back right away, but in reality, this often isn’t the case.
“A mummy’s tummy could actually be a serious condition called diastasis rather than a cosmetic problem,” he said.
“However, this is a fairly common condition, meaning that there was a separation of the abdominal muscles during pregnancy.”
Dr. Banwell said that many new mothers go through various changes after pregnancy and urges women not to be too hard on themselves.
“Becoming a mother is a unique and special time in a woman’s life, but pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding can have negative consequences for many women, such as excess skin and stretch marks, extra belly weight and breast changes,” he said.