Have you ever stopped to consider why you’re often bloated? It might be more than just overeating.
Feeling bloated isn't just about overindulging at dinner—for many, it's a sign of a deeper issue that could be linked to chronic conditions like IBS.
IBS affects up to 24% of women and can cause persistent bloating along with other symptoms.
One of the most common gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms is bloating, a frequent complaint among patients of all ages.
This symptom is especially common in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and other functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs), as well as in those with organic disorders.
Many clinicians suggest that they frequently encounter complaints from patients such as "too much gas in the abdomen," "a heavy and uncomfortable feeling in the abdomen," and "a full belly."
The causes of bloating are complex, involving factors like gas production, gut microflora, and gut hypersensitivity. Many patients with bloating tend to have IBS or functional dyspepsia (FD), so treatments typically focus on managing these conditions.
Gut sensitivity: Due to IBS people can become extremely sensitive to gas, which can cause pain, cramping, and diarrhea
Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO): Most healthy individuals have relatively few bacteria in their small intestine. while people who have undergone intestinal surgery are more prone to developing small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), which can lead to bloating.
Gastroparesis: This condition can lead to delayed stomach emptying, resulting in bloating, nausea, and even bowel blockages.
Gynecological conditions: Sometimes women with issues related to the ovaries or uterus may also experience bloating.
Bloating is a feeling of fullness or swelling in the abdomen, usually caused by gas in the intestines. Some causes of bloating include:
Eating too much, eating too fast, or consuming certain foods and drinks like raw vegetables ( broccoli, cabbage) and fizzy drinks can cause bloating.
Swallowing air while eating can cause bloating.
Too much infusion rate, fat malabsorption.
Abruptly increasing the amount of fiber in your diet can cause bloating.
Bloating can be caused by water retention due to circulation in the blood and the body's ability to eliminate water.
Stomach infections caused by bacteria or viruses can cause bloating.
And also many potential mechanisms for bloating, including gut hypersensitivity, impaired gas handling, and altered gut microbiota.
In healthy adults, intestinal gas infusion increases muscle activity in the abdominal wall.
It leads to decreased contraction of the abdominal wall muscles concurrent with inappropriate relaxation of the internal oblique muscles. This abnormal viscerosomatic reflex activity with bloating means that abdominal wall muscles relax, rather than contract, with gaseous distention of the GI tract, emphasizing luminal gas.
In contrast to healthy volunteers, the diaphragms of bloating descend while the ventral abdominal wall muscles relax, leading to an increase in abdominal girth.
The severity of bloating symptoms have been associated with increased healthcare utilization and decreased quality of life.
More than 65% of patients presenting with bloating or distention rated the symptoms as moderate to severe in intensity, while 54% of them reported that the symptoms influenced their daily activities and 43% had to resort to the use of medication.
Excessive belching, passing gas, and bloating often resolve on their own or with simple lifestyle changes these are the only symptoms you experience, they rarely indicate a serious underlying condition
It's time to consult a healthcare professional if your symptoms don't improve with simple lifestyle changes, particularly if you also notice:
Diarrhea
Persistent or severe belly pain
Bloody stools
Changes in the color or frequency of stools
Losing weight without trying
Chest discomfort
Loss of appetite or feeling full quickly
Belching: Getting rid of excess air
Belching, also known as burping, is your body's way of expelling excess air from the upper digestive tract.
Here are some tips to reduce belching:
Eat and drink slowly Taking your time can help minimize the amount of air you swallow. Try to make mealtimes relaxed, as eating quickly or while stressed can increase swallowed air.
Don't drink carbonated drinks and beer. These beverages release carbon dioxide gas.
Skip the gum and hard candy. Chewing gum or sucking on hard candy causes you to swallow more frequently, including more air
Don't smoke. Smoking leads to inhaling and swallowing air.
Check your dentures. Ill-fitting dentures can result in swallowing excess air during eating and drinking.
Get moving. A short walk after meals may help
Treat heartburn
Diet
Exercise and posture
Over-the-counter medications
Probiotics
Antibiotics
Smooth muscle antispasmodic
Osmotic laxatives
Prokinetic agents
Chloride channel activators
Tricyclic antidepressants.
Summary
Bloating is a common symptom caused by excessive gas, delayed digestion, or gut imbalances. It occurs when the digestive process produces more gas or when the stomach empties slowly. Simple lifestyle changes can often help, but persistent bloating may need medical evaluation to rule out underlying conditions
Reference
Jiang, X., Locke, G. R., Choung, R. S., Zinsmeister, A. R., Schleck, C. D., & Talley, N. J. (2008). Prevalence and risk factors for abdominal bloating and visible distention: a population-based study. Gut, 57(6), 756–763. https://doi.org/10.1136/gut.2007.142810
Seo, A. Y., Kim, N., & Oh, D. H. (2013). Abdominal Bloating: Pathophysiology and Treatment. Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility, 19(4), 433–453. https://doi.org/10.5056/jnm.2013.19.4.433
Bloating: Causes and Prevention Tips. (2021, September 20). Johns Hopkins Medicine. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/bloating-causes-and-prevention-tips
Belching, gas and bloating: Tips for reducing them. (2024, January 30). Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gas-and-gas-pains/in-depth/gas-and-gas-pains/art-20044739
Professional, C. C. M. (2024, May 1). Bloated Stomach. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/21740-bloated-stomach
Sullivan, S. N. (2012). Functional Abdominal Bloating with Distention. ISRN Gastroenterology, 2012, 1–5. https://doi.org/10.5402/2012/721820
