Is Your Bloating Troubling You? | Here’s 5 Signs When You Should be Worried

Bloating refers to a swollen or full sensation in the stomach. It is a common digestive issue that many people experience after eating. You might feel bloated when your stomach feels tight, but sometimes critical abdominal pain can often lead to a bloated stomach and cause health issues. It’s usually harmless and caused by gas or overeating. Research has shown that bloating is more common in females than males. But before you stress over your stomach pain, it’s essential to understand when it’s normal and when it might be a symptom of something more serious.

When Is Bloating Normal?

Normal bloating is usually nothing to worry about. Common causes include:

• Gas

• Drinking and chewing gums

• Fast eating habits

• Food intolerance

• Constipation

• Hormonal changes (e.g., menstrual cycle)

 

Many women experience bloating as a sign of certain health conditions. If your bloating goes away after a few hours, then there is nothing to be worried about. But if you experience frequent or severe bloating, it might be a symptom of a more serious condition.

5 Signs Your Bloating Could Be Serious

Here are 5 signs that your bloating could be serious for your health. These are –

1. Bloated Stomach (Lasting More Than Two Weeks): A bloated stomach that lasts more than two weeks could be a warning sign of cancer, especially when the person is losing weight, losing appetite, and gaining pale skin. Hence, bloating should not be taken lightly.

2. Severe Abdominal Pain: Severe abdominal pain, along with bloating, might cause an appendicitis problem. It usually occurs when the stomach fills with gas, causing discomfort, stomach pain and nausea. If you're in a lot of pain, please see a doctor as soon as you can.

3. Loss of Weight: Losing your weight without exercise, along with bloating, can lead you to serious conditions like coeliac disease and Crohn’s disease.

4. Feeling Nauseous: Frequent nausea or vomiting with bloating could be a sign of serious gastrointestinal issues.

5. Fullness of the Stomach: Bloating may indicate stomach ulcers if you feel full after eating a small amount of food and experience bloating.

Possible Underlying Conditions of Bloating:

Bloating can cause the following possible underlying conditions you might not know about:

1. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): IBS is a common condition that can cause stomach pain, bloating, and either diarrhoea or constipation.

2. Celiac Disease: Celiac disease is a disorder where gluten causes an immune response that damages the digestive system. Common symptoms include weight loss, diarrhoea, and bloating.

3. Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): Crohn’s disease and stomach ulcer can cause chronic inflammation in the digestive system, resulting in pain, bloating, and excessive bowel habits.

4. Food Sensitivities: If your body cannot digest lactose or if you have food sensitivities, then bloating, gas, and diarrhoea may occur after eating heavy foods.

If you're feeling bloated and have other serious symptoms, it's a good idea to see a doctor right away.

Self-Management Tips for Bloating

If your bloating is not very serious, follow the self-management tips to reduce your bloating. These are-

1. Follow a Healthy Diet: Eat a balanced diet by taking your time with meals and cutting back on foods that can cause gas, like soda and fast food.

2. Improve Your Health Gut: To improve your gut health, consider taking probiotics and herbal teas such as ginger and chamomile tea, which ease bloating. 

3. Stay Active: After meals, practice exercises such as walking and yoga, which help digestion and prevent gas problems.

4. Reduce Stress: Sometimes, stress can cause digestion, leading to bloating. To reduce stress, consider practising deep breathing and getting enough rest.

You can also consider taking healthy gut functional foods, which help to reduce inflammation associated with bloating and abdominal discomfort and support balanced gut ecology naturally.

Conclusion

While severe bloating might be a sign of an underlying medical condition, some bloating symptoms are considered normal. It is better to notice symptoms of underlying serious health conditions and seek medical help when necessary. 

References

1. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/21740-bloated-stomach

2. https://www.samitivejhospitals.com/article/detail/bloated-stomach

3. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/bloating

4. https://www.templehealth.org/about/blog/5-bloating-causes-relieve-discomfort-at-home

5. https://www.cnet.com/health/nutrition/bloating-when-to-worry/