We’ve all probably experienced that overstuffed or bloated feeling in our stomachs at one time or another. Maybe when we were younger, when we paid little or no attention to the what, when, how or how much, of the food we ate.
In extreme cases, bloating can really be annoying. Causing severe pains around the abdominal area and even the release of painful gas which can be very embarrassing. Imagine having to release a loud fart in public, whether intentionally or not just so you can experience some instant relief from your stomach gasses; I’m sure such an incident is enough to ruin anyone’s day.
While there are several symptoms for bloating, some of the most common ones include; abdominal pain, abdominal fullness, excessive gas production after eating and drinking, difficulty swallowing or burping, chest pains, feeling of fatigue, breathing problems, indigestion, diarrhea, constipation, and vomiting. These symptoms could also be indicative of illnesses other than stomach bloating, however understanding some of the main causes of stomach bloating can help you make the right connection whenever you experience one or more of the symptoms.
There are several reasons for stomach bloating and most of them are food or drink related. Understanding the common causes of stomach bloating is very important if you’re looking to prevent them from happening again.
Five common reasons for stomach bloating include:
- Wrong eating Habits
Eating too fast and too much can cause bloating. Talking while eating, eating while walking, using straw for drinking beverages and swallowing too much air while chewing (which happens when you chew gum) are some common reasons for bloating. Drinking carbonated drinks, especially the “sugar-free” of “diet” ones can easily cause bloating because of the sugar alcohol content of these so-called diet products. This is even made worse when you drink it using a straw.
- Fluid retention
For some people bloating can be caused by fluid retention. This may be hormone related especially for women in the week prior to their menstruation which results in a buildup of fluid in the body. Whenever these hormonal distortions occur in the body, this can cause excess fluid in the body to build up in spaces between cells.
- Food intolerance
This is probably the most common cause of stomach bloating for most people. There are certain types of food that are well known to cause excess gas, for example: Onions, beans, lentils etc. others include vegetables like cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage and Brussels sprouts. Intolerance to wheat and dairy products can also lead to bloating.
There are also other ‘hidden’ foods and food additives that can also contribute to bloating. Yeast and yeast extract are known to cause digestive problems in some people but not everyone. For those sensitive to yeast, following a low or yeast free diet plan can significantly reduce bloating.
- Stress
Stress can be a major cause of stomach bloating. Different people react in different ways to stress, however once we are under severe stress the brain releases hormones that put an enormous burden on our digestive systems. This can cause loss of appetite in some making them unable to eat, while in some others it can lead to uncontrolled eating of unhealthy foods. That’s probably why you find stress being a major cause of some digestive related disorders including cramps, diarrhea, heartburn and bloating.
- Irritable bowel syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome is also a possible cause of stomach bloating. Treating this ailment and any other digestive problems can be difficult and so should typically be referred to a doctor. However, common natural or over the counter treatments can be explored in order to gain some immediate relief pending when you’re able to visit a General Practitioner.
There are several other reasons that can cause stomach bloating like; gastrointestinal diseases, overuse of antibiotics, other abdominal infections, etc. But for the purpose of this write-up, I’ll just stick to five of some of the most common causes of stomach bloating namely;
- Wrong eating habits
- Fluid retention
- Food intolerance
- Stress and;
- Irritable bowel syndrome.
Stomach bloating can at best be seen to be very discomforting. At other times, it can indeed be very painful, embarrassing and at worst, extremely distressing. Anyone who has gone through a humiliating episode due to excess bloating knows it’s not one that should ever repeat itself again.
There are several remedies and treatments that are available out there to help you deal with these issues and sometimes a very small change to our diet and lifestyle may be all that is required to completely get rid of stomach bloating for good.
Remember; YOU’RE WHAT YOU EAT.
Most times, we can solve more than half of our health problems if we can pay close attention to the things we eat, drink and consume every day.
With Love and gratitude as always, Xo!
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Disclaimer: Please note that I am not your doctor while I am a health coach by profession. This article is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice nor does it establish any kind of medical relationship between you and me. I will not be held liable for any damage resulting from or related to your use of this information.