What is bloating? What does "feeling bloated" mean?
![There are many causes of bloating (abdominal distention).](https://images.medicinenet.com/images/article/main_image/feeling-bloated.jpg?output-quality=75)
Why am I so bloated? 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 withover-the-counteror 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."
What are 21 common causes of abdominal bloating?
Increased肠道气体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 increasedgassiness.
Causes ofgasinclude:
- 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 beans, vegetables, and other highfiberfoods)
- Lactose intolerance
- 肠道疾病,例如,IBS(irritable bowel syndrome),IBD(inflammatory bowel disease, which includes including Crohn’s disease andulcerative colitis), andSIBO(small intestinal bacterial overgrowth).
- Celiac disease(gluten intolerance)
- Abdominal adhesionsdue to prior surgery(s) in the abdominal or pelvic region, for example,hysterectomy.
Other common causes of bloating include:
- Indigestion
- Pregnancy
- Menstrual periodand/orPMS(premenstrual syndrome)
- Drinking a lot of soda or other carbonatedbeverages
- Food allergies
- Constipation
- Smoking
- Liver disease
- Hiatal hernia
- Gallstones
- H. pyloriinfection (which can lead to stomach ulcers)
- Gastroparesis
![](https://images.medicinenet.com//images/slideshow/why-am-I-bloated-s1-what-is-bloating.jpg)
SLIDESHOW
Digestive Health: Why Am I Bloated?See Slideshow9 foods that cause bloating
Foods high infibercan often cause bloating andgassiness, 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)
- Carbonatedbeverages
- Dairy products (milk, cheese, yogurt, ice cream)
- Salty foods (foods high in sodium, such as processed foods, canned soups, and frozen entrees)
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15 natural and home remedies for bloating and gas relief
The best way to relieve and even prevent symptoms of stomach bloating and gas, is a healthydietand regularexercise, 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 yourdiet. Other than vegetables and fruits, many of these foods are not necessary for a healthy and balanceddiet.
- Stay active andexerciseto help yourdigestive systemfunction 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 thediet, 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 stimulatedigestion.
You can try natural remedies to relieve bloating and gas.
- Peppermint tea
- Ginger
- Chamomile tea
- Pumpkin
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.
5 OTC products for relief of common causes of stomach bloating and gas
For relief of more common, less-serious causes of abdominal or belly bloating, there are a number of 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 forconstipationincludingsenna(Ex-Lax,Senokot),polyethylene glycol(Miralax), and fibersupplements(Metamucil, Benefiber).
- Probiotics
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What are 10 more serious causes of bloating?
- Bowel obstruction is a surgical emergencythat may cause abdominal distention, bloating, andpain.
- Prior surgery or infection of theintestinesthat 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, orIBD(Cohn's disease andulcerative colitis, or UC)
- Infections of the intestinal tract, for example,food poisoning,gastroenteritis(stomach flu),colitis,appendicitis,diverticulitis, andC. difficileinfection)
- Liver disease, for example, fluid buildup in the abdomen (ascites) or massive enlargement of theliver
- Cancersof the abdomen, digestive tract, genitourinary, or reproductive organs
- Pregnancyor complications ofpregnancy, for example, such asectopic pregnancy,tubal pregnancy, ormiscarriage
- Pelvic inflammatory disease(PID)
- Lactose intoleranceor other foodallergies
- Smokingcan lead tovascular diseaseandcancer
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When should I call a doctor if I am very bloated and have belly pain?
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.
- Constantpainfor more than a few days
- Fever
- Vomiting
- Severeabdominal pain
- 提单oody diarrhea
- Inability to eat or drink
- Feeling faint or passing out
- Chest pain
- Palpitations
- Shortness of breath
- If you are, or think you might bepregnantand havepain
- Vaginal bleedingbetween periods
Health SolutionsFrom Our Sponsors
Abraczinskas, D., et al. "Intestinal gas and bloating." Sept. 12, 2018.
International Foundation for Functional and Gastrointestinal Disorders. "Understanding Bloating and Distension." Sept. 6, 2015.
NIH; National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. "Probiotics: In Depth." October 2017.
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