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A few hours after finishing off your lunch, you might notice that it feels uncomfortable to sit at your desk because you're so gassy, puffy, and bloated. Hey, you may even unbutton your pants to get some relief. While it may be common to hear someone complain that they're "so bloated," should you be legitimately concerned about how much bloating you experience on a daily basis? Probably not. Occasional bloating after eating is usually just a sign that your stomach and intestines are doing their job, says Hazel Galon Veloso, MD, faculty member of the Johns Hopkins Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology. Stomachs are meant to expand, and often do so after a person eats. But usually, people just say they're "bloated" when they feel any "sensation of abdominal fullness," Dr. Veloso says. And unfortunately, many people associate any kind of belly puffiness with being "too full" or eating the "wrong" foods, so they assume that bloating must equal a problem. Fortunately, while bloating can be uncomfortable, it's not a health concern in and of itself, Dr. Veloso says. According to a 2012 study, about 10 to 30% of healthy people (a.k.a. those who don't have any gastrointestinal issues) experience regular bloating after eating. Some foods, like cruciferous vegetables and legumes, can make you more bloated than others, Dr. Veloso says, because they produce more gas in your intestines (here's why that happens). Or, if you're someone who is lactose intolerant, you might notice extra bloating after you eat dairy products, she says. If that's the case, bloating will usually go away once you cut out the foods causing it, or when you start taking Lactaid supplements to help process the dairy foods, she says. (But before you make any major changes, know that your doctor can test for lactose intolerance.) “ Stomachs are meant to expand, and often do so after a person eats. ” There are also a few other lifestyle factors that can contribute to bloating besides your diet, Dr. Veloso says. For example, if you chew gum, drink carbonated beverages, or smoke, that can cause you to swallow air and make you feel bloated, she says. Anxiety can also cause some people to gulp more air, which then leads to more bloating and burping, she says. If this sounds like you, then curbing these habits (or attempting to manage your anxiety) may help reduce the amount of bloating that you feel on a daily basis. All of this is to say that your desire to unbutton your pants after a meal is likely not a reason for alarm. That said, if you have persistent bloating regardless of what you eat, or if you have other symptoms beyond just bloating (like diarrhoea, abdominal pain, weight loss, and/or increased flatulence), then you should probably see a doctor, Dr. Veloso says. It could be a sign of something more serious, like Celiac disease, in which case your doctor will need to run blood tests to determine what's going on, she says. Or sometimes bloating is a symptom of "small bowel bacterial overgrowth," which tends to happen in people with diabetes or scleroderma, Dr. Veloso says. What that means is "their [bowels] become slower, so then bacteria can also overgrow in them," she says. Usually, this causes abdominal pain, cramps, and diarrhoea, but can be treated with antibiotics and a change in diet, according to Medline Plus. There's also a slim chance that your constant bloating could be a tumour or a symptom of ovarian cancer, according to Medline Plus. But if you just tend to get a little puffy and bloated after meals, again, that usually is very normal. While it's a good idea to just accept your bloating for what it is, it's also important to know what your abdominal region is like on a regular day so you can tell when something is supremely out of whack. "We always tolerate bloating if it's just mild, but if it's significant, it can be uncomfortable for the patient," Dr. Veloso says. But if you've already talked to your doctor, and your bloating isn't related to any health issues, your best bet is probably opting for an elastic waistband. When gas does not pass through flatulence or belching, it can build up in the intestines and stomach and result in bloating. Bloating can cause swelling of the abdominal area and is followed by stomach pain and cramps. Though it is not a serious ailment, experiencing bloating on a regular basis can be burdensome and hinder your day-to-day activity.
What causes bloating stomach pain?Food intoleranceOne of the most common causes of stomach bloating is intolerance to certain types of food. Foods such as milk, fructose, and gluten can trigger symptoms of bloating in your body. It is advisable to avoid these foods if you frequently experience bloating or stomach pain after eating them. OvereatingWhen you overeat, your body is not able to effectively break down the food components and this results in a bloated or distended stomach. Instead of taking huge meals throughout the day, if possible, try to eat small meals to give ample time for your stomach to digest your food. Deficiency of digestive enzymesYour body needs digestive enzymes to absorb nutrients from the food you take. An inadequate enzyme availability manifests itself in constipation, gas, bloating, excess weight, stomach pain and many other digestive disorders. Taking digestive supplements will help to minimise the deficiency of enzymes in your body and build a stronger digestive system. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)IBS is a common functional disorder of the gut. It also causes swelling or bloating of the abdomen accompanied by mild to severe pain. You can treat IBS with healthy changes in your lifestyle, maintaining a well-balanced diet or taking IBS tablets. Avoiding or limiting food that triggers IBS can also help to control the symptoms of IBS. ConstipationConstipation is one of the most common digestive complaints. Constipation causes the stomach to bloat and results in abdominal pain. Bloating usually occurs when gas gets trapped behind slow-moving stool and keeps building up resulting in a bloated stomach. Drinking ample amounts of water and the inclusion of high-fibre food can help alleviate stomach pain caused by constipation. If that’s not enough, you can also consider taking constipation tablets to eliminate any bowel discomfort. Acid refluxSometimes after eating, digestive juices or stomach acid backflows into the oesophagus, and results in acid reflux. Acid reflux makes you feel bloated in the upper belly especially after eating meals. It can also make you burp excessively or feel nauseous within an hour of eating your meal. You can take antacids or Omeprazole to relieve your acid reflux. How to get rid of bloating and stomach pain?Changes in lifestyle habits or dietary decisions can go a long way in curing bloating or stomach ache. These simple tips may help you to combat bloating and contribute to a healthy lifestyle:
Buy Remedies for Bloating How long does a bloated stomach last?Bloating can last a few hours to several days, depending on its cause. Although bloating is not harmless it can get serious. Water or exercise can help reduce the time it takes for your bloated stomach to go down. If it lasts longer, you should see a doctor or consider taking some bloating remedies. How to prevent stomach bloating
When to see a doctor for stomach pain and bloatingYou should see your doctor if the pain suddenly gets worse, doesn’t go away or keeps returning. Also, if you can’t swallow food, have abnormal vaginal discharge or are bleeding from your vagina or bottom. You should go to A&E or call 999 if you suddenly have severe stomach pain, vomiting up blood, cannot pee, cannot fart or poo, have chest pain or cannot breathe. Bottom lineStomach pain and bloating can be very uncomfortable, even painful, and stop you from being able to get on with your day. It can be caused by any number of things including food intolerance, overeating, deficiency of digestive enzymes, IBS, constipation and acid reflux. The good news is that it can be treated and even prevented by making positive changes to your diet, drinking plenty of water, exercising, and taking probiotics or over-the-counter medicines. But if your stomach pain doesn’t go away, gets worse or you develop other symptoms, you should see your doctor for advice. Sources:
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