What is a Bloated Stomach?
A bloated stomach isn’t just about looking “puffy” after a big meal—it’s a feeling of tightness, pressure, or fullness in your belly. Sometimes, it comes with visible swelling. For many people, it’s more than just discomfort—it can be painful, frustrating, and even affect daily life.
Bloating is incredibly common. In fact, studies suggest that up to 30% of adults report regular bloating. It affects people of all ages, but women tend to report it more frequently—especially around menstruation or due to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
How Does Bloating Happen?
Let’s simplify things. Imagine your digestive system like a long, winding tube. As food moves along this tube, it gets broken down by enzymes, absorbed, and eventually eliminated. But if something interrupts this flow—say, gas gets trapped, food isn’t digested properly, or the muscles lining the gut don’t move as they should—it can cause a traffic jam. That’s when bloating kicks in.
Here’s a breakdown of what might be going wrong:
- Gas accumulation: Fermentation of undigested food by bacteria can produce excess gas.
- Sluggish digestion: When your gut is slow, food lingers longer and builds pressure.
- Water retention: Hormonal changes can lead to fluid buildup in the abdomen.
- Hypersensitivity: Some people feel bloated even with normal amounts of gas, due to heightened nerve sensitivity.
What Causes a Bloated Stomach?
Several things can trigger bloating. Some are diet-related, others are linked to medical conditions. Here’s a quick overview:
Common Causes:
- Overeating: The simplest cause. Too much food stretches the stomach and slows digestion.
- Gas-producing foods: Beans, lentils, onions, broccoli, cabbage, and carbonated drinks can lead to gas buildup.
- Swallowing air: Eating too fast, chewing gum, or drinking through a straw can cause you to swallow air.
- Constipation: When stool builds up, gas gets trapped, causing discomfort.
- Lactose intolerance: About 65% of people worldwide have difficulty digesting lactose, the sugar in milk.
- Gluten intolerance or celiac disease: Bloating is a common symptom.
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): A condition that affects how the gut moves and reacts, often causing bloating, cramping, and changes in bowel habits.
Less Common but Serious Causes:
- Ovarian cancer or other abdominal masses
- Ascites: Fluid buildup in the abdomen, often due to liver disease
- Gastroparesis: Delayed stomach emptying, common in diabetes
- Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)
Risk Factors
Anyone can feel bloated occasionally, but certain people are more likely to experience it often.
Here are the top risk factors:
- Diet high in processed carbs and sugar
- Low-fiber intake or high-fat diets
- Food intolerances (e.g. lactose, gluten, FODMAPs)
- Women during menstruation or menopause
- People with IBS or functional gastrointestinal disorders
- Stress and anxiety, which slow digestion and heighten gut sensitivity
Other Symptoms That Often Come With Bloating
A bloated belly often doesn’t come alone. You might notice other symptoms depending on the underlying cause:
Common symptoms:
- Gassiness or flatulence
- Abdominal discomfort or cramping
- Burping
- Feeling full quickly when eating
When bloating becomes more severe, you may also see:
- Visible swelling or distension
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Sudden weight loss (a red flag!)
- Persistent changes in bowel habits like diarrhoea or constipation
If any of these more serious symptoms show up, it’s important to seek medical advice.
Tests to Identify the Cause
If you’re often bloated and unsure why, your doctor might recommend some tests.
The gold standard for identifying causes like IBS, food intolerances, or inflammation is:
- Comprehensive medical history and physical exam
Depending on your symptoms, other tests may include:
- Blood tests: To check for celiac disease, infections, or inflammation.
- Stool tests: To rule out parasites or gut infections.
- Breath tests: For lactose intolerance or SIBO (measuring hydrogen and methane in breath).
- Imaging (ultrasound or CT scan): Especially if a mass, fluid buildup, or structural issue is suspected.
- Endoscopy or colonoscopy: To view the inside of the stomach and intestines, especially if red flags are present.
In many cases, if bloating is linked to mild constipation, diet, or gas, your doctor may recommend dietary changes first without extensive testing.
Treatment for Bloated Stomach
The good news? Bloating is often treatable, and relief is possible once the cause is identified.
Mainstream treatments focus on managing the root cause:
- Dietary changes:
- Keep a food diary to spot triggers.
- Reduce intake of gas-producing foods.
- Try a low-FODMAP diet (especially in IBS).
- Avoid carbonated drinks and chewing gum.
- Over-the-counter remedies:
- Simethicone: Helps break up gas bubbles.
- Laxatives or fibre: For constipation.
- Probiotics: May help improve gut bacteria balance.
- Prescription medications (if needed):
- Antispasmodics: For cramping in IBS.
- Antibiotics: If SIBO is diagnosed.
- Hormonal treatment: For bloating tied to menstrual cycles.
- Lifestyle tips:
- Eat slowly and chew thoroughly.
- Don’t lie down right after eating.
- Regular exercise can improve gut motility.
If none of the above helps, or if symptoms worsen, follow up with a specialist like a gastroenterologist.
References
- “Bloating: A Common but Often Overlooked Symptom” – Cleveland Clinic, 2023. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/8106-bloating
- “Gas and Gas Pains” – Mayo Clinic, 2022. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gas-and-gas-pains/symptoms-causes/syc-20372709
- “Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Bloating” – American College of Gastroenterology, 2023. https://gi.org/topics/irritable-bowel-syndrome/
- “Understanding Bloating and Distension” – International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD), 2021. https://www.iffgd.org/symptoms-causes/bloating.html