Bloated Stomach - What Causes Bloating?

Bloating is caused by gas or air trapped in the abdomen and can cause mild to severe discomfort.

- Dr. Edward

Extreme cases can cause difficulty eating or breathing. Although bloating can be a signal that something is amiss in your diet or digestive tract, in general, bloating is relatively common and isn’t cause for concern. A healthy lifestyle and an understanding of digestive disorders can help reduce and prevent bloating.

Symptoms associated With Bloating

While bloating is a symptom itself, there are some classic characteristics that can help you differentiate bloating from other conditions. The following is a short list of general indicators:

• Abdominal tightness

• Cramping or sharp pains

• Feeling full hours after a meal

• Gas and flatulence

• Stomach growling

The Most Common Causes of Bloating

Most people will experience bloating at some point, but some people retain gas significantly more often. Some of the factors that make bloating more likely include overeating, dysbiosis (imbalance of the intestinal gut flora), bowel obstruction, and digestive disorders like IBS, IBD, ulcerative colitis, and celiac disease.

Many people confuse bloating with water retention, but they are different. Menstruation, hormonal changes, and eating food that’s high in salt may cause you to retain water, but this is not bloating.

Below are some of the most common causes of bloating.

1. IBS

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) causes discomfort and bloating. One study defined the change in normal bowel function as “life-altering.” Many studies find that IBS is most likely to cause bloating when people eat complex carbohydrates, certain types of fat, and food that stimulates an allergic response.

2. Swallowed air