Bloat

Bloat is a term used to describe abnormal abdominal distension caused by gas, fluid, or other contents filling a body cavity. It is used in medical, veterinary, and technical discussions to denote excessive swelling that can impair function.

In humans, bloating typically results from gas accumulation after swallowing air, fermentation of nutrients in the gut, or constipation. It can accompany conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, lactose intolerance, or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. Less common causes include partial obstructions, ascites, or tumors. Management emphasizes identifying dietary triggers, regulating meals, staying active, and using nonprescription remedies for gas; persistent or severe cases require medical evaluation.

In ruminant animals, bloat (ruminal tympany) is an acute buildup of gas in the rumen that prevents eructation, causing rapid abdominal distension. It may be frothy, produced by certain forages, or free-gas. Grass- or legume-rich pastures, especially lush alfalfa or clover, are common triggers. Treatment can include moving the animal, passing a stomach tube, or administering anti-foaming agents such as poloxalene; severe cases may require surgical intervention. Prevention hinges on gradual introduction to high-risk forages and appropriate grazing management.

In computing, bloat, or bloatware, describes software that includes unnecessary features, code, or bundled components that slow performance and consume more storage and memory. Causes include feature creep, poor modularity, and default integrations. Consequences include longer startup times, larger downloads, and higher maintenance costs. Remedies involve refactoring, removing unused features, modular design, lazy loading, and trimming dependencies.

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