Why Am I So Bloated?

There are many causes of gas and bloating (abdominal distention).

Abdominal bloating or "feeling bloated" is a very frequent and familiar symptom most people have experienced at some time in their lives. There are many reasons you may feel bloated. Most causes are simple, harmless, and easily treatable with over-the-counter or home remedies. Very rarely, abdominal bloating is caused by something more serious, leading to a rapid worsening of uncomfortable symptoms.

The definition of "bloated" is swelling or distension, and it usually refers to abdominal bloating, which is a distended belly. Bloating may be accompanied by burping (belching), gas (flatulence, farting), abdominal discomfort, and a feeling of fullness. People sometimes refer to abdominal bloating as a "bloated stomach" or "bloated belly."

Increased intestinal gas is one of the most common reasons you might be bloated. The foods you eat and how you eat them are the main culprits for increased gassiness.

Causes of gas include:

• Swallowing air from drinking through a straw, or chewing gum
• Eating too fast
• Eating too much
• Eating fatty foods
• Eating foods that create gas in the intestinal tract (such as beans, vegetables, and other high-fiber foods)
• Lactose intolerance
• Intestinal disorders, for example, IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), IBD (inflammatory bowel disease, which includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis), and SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth)
• Celiac disease (gluten intolerance)
• Abdominal adhesions due to prior surgery(s) in the abdominal or pelvic region, for example, hysterectomy

Other common causes of bloating include:

• Indigestion
• Pregnancy
• Menstrual period and/or PMS (premenstrual syndrome)
• Drinking a lot of soda or other carbonated beverages
• Food allergies
• Constipation
• Smoking
• Liver disease
• Hiatal hernia
• Gallstones
• H. pylori infection (which can lead to stomach ulcers)
• Gastroparesis

Foods high in fiber can often cause bloating and gassiness, especially in people who are not used to eating them regularly. The good news is that eating these foods frequently can result in better tolerance and less bloating and gas (and better health).

• Raw, cruciferous vegetables (such as broccoli, cauliflower, kale, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, lettuce, onions)
• Certain fruits like apricots, apples, peaches, pears, and prunes
• Beans and lentils
• Whole grains

Other foods that may cause bloating and gassiness include:

• Greasy, fatty foods
• Artificial sweeteners (sorbitol)
• Carbonated beverages
• Dairy products (milk, cheese, yogurt, ice cream)
• Salty foods (foods high in sodium, such as processed foods, canned soups, and frozen entrees)

• Bowel obstruction is a surgical emergency that may cause abdominal distention, bloating, and pain.
  • Prior surgery or infection of the intestines that results in adhesions (scarring) can lead to partial or full bowel obstruction, which can result in serious infections or death.
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD (Cohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, or UC)
• Infections of the intestinal tract, for example, food poisoning, gastroenteritis (stomach flu), colitis, appendicitis, diverticulitis, and C. difficile infection)
• Liver disease, for example, fluid buildup in the abdomen (ascites) or massive enlargement of the liver
• Cancers of the abdomen, digestive tract, genitourinary, or reproductive organs
• Pregnancy or complications of pregnancy, for example, such as ectopic pregnancy, tubal pregnancy, or miscarriage
• Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
• Lactose intolerance or other food allergies
• Smoking can lead to vascular disease and cancer

For relief of more common, less serious causes of abdominal or belly bloating, there are several OTC (over-the-counter) products.

• Simethicone (Gas-X, Phazyme, Mylicon) can help reduce bloating and gas caused by swallowed air.
• Beano is an over-the-counter product that contains an enzyme called alpha-D galactosidase that can help reduce gas and bloating caused by eating high-fiber foods like vegetables and beans.
• Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto Bismol) can help control the odor in gas, and decrease stomach and intestinal symptoms of discomfort.
• Treatments for constipation include senna (Ex-Lax, Senokot), polyethylene glycol (Miralax), and fiber supplements (Metamucil, Benefiber).
• Probiotics

The best way to relieve and even prevent symptoms of stomach bloating and gas is a healthy diet and regular exercise, however, there are many things you can do to prevent and relieve bloating and gas.

• Identify foods that cause you to have bloating or gas, and eliminate them from your diet. Other than vegetables and fruits, many of these foods are not necessary for a healthy and balanced diet.
• Stay active and exercise to help your digestive system function at its best.
• Don’t smoke cigarettes because it can cause or aggravate bloating and gas.
• Eat smaller portions if you feel bloated after overeating.
• Reduce your intake of fatty foods, which can contribute to feeling overly full.
• Eat more slowly. It can take up to 20 minutes to feel full after you’ve started eating.
• To reduce excess swallowed air that can cause gas and bloating, avoid carbonated beverages such as sodas, drinking with straws, and chewing gum.
• When adding high-fiber foods to the diet, do so gradually to allow the body time to adjust.
• Reduce salt intake
• Don’t smoke as this can cause or aggravate bloating and gas.
• Take a walk after eating to stimulate digestion.

Talk with your doctor or other health care professional before using any natural or home remedies because they may have unwanted side effects or interactions with medications you currently take.

Contact your doctor or other health care professional if you have severe or persistent bloating and gas that is accompanied by any of these symptoms.

• Constant pain for more than a few days
• Fever
• Vomiting
• Severe abdominal pain
• Bloody diarrhea
• Inability to eat or drink
• Feeling faint or passing out
• Chest pain
• Palpitations
• Shortness of breath
• If you are, or think you might be pregnant and have pain
• Vaginal bleeding between periods