What is bloating?
Bloating is a gastrointestinal (GI) symptom that commonly occurs due to the buildup of gas in the digestive tract, or due to the retention of fluid. Understanding the causes of bloating can help you know what to do to stop the bloating. It is important to pay attention to the signals your body sends you. We encourage you to pay attention to the times and circumstances during which you feel bloated. This can help you understand and possibly identify what makes you feel bloated. Contact your local GI Alliance office today to connect with a GI doctor to help you get relief from extreme bloating.
What are the common causes of bloating
Bloating may arise from a variety of conditions or other factors. Some of the common causes of bloating are:
- Swallowing air
- Constipation
- Overeating
- Eating too fast – satiety signals can take up to 20 minutes to reach the brain and decrease appetite
- Eating rich and fatty foods
- Eating hard to digest foods
- Gastroparesis
- Gynecological conditions
How can I relieve and avoid stomach bloating?
If you are feeling bloated often, start by trying some of the suggestions on this list.
- Go for a walk or exercise
- Don’t drink through straws
- Avoid chewing gum
- Don’t smoke
- Avoid carbonated drinks
- Avoid foods with artificial sweeteners, especially fructose or sorbitol
- Eat more slowly
- Avoid beans, lentils, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, carrots, prunes, apricots
- Avoid abruptly increasing the amount of fiber you intake
If you are avoiding foods or habits that generally are causing you to feel bloated yet are still experiencing this symptom, it is important to connect with a digestive health specialist at GI Alliance to better understand and diagnose any concerns.
