Bloating is defined as the tight, full, and sometimes painful feeling in your stomach. Sometimes, your belly will look swollen, but you don’t have to appear swollen to feel bloated. Bloating can be caused by digestive issues but hormones, stress, or a hidden health problem can also be the trigger.
Approximately 10% to 25% of healthy people deal with occasional bloating, with up to 75% of people saying their symptoms are moderate to severe and about 10% of people experience bloating regularly.
While digestive issues and hormonal changes can make bloating come and go, chronic bloating may be a sign you need to talk to your doctor. A trusted gastroenterologist near you can help you identify the root problem of your bloating - whether it be IBS, gastroparesis, or just gas buildup.
Our team of board-certified gastroenterologists at Charleston GI can expertly help you manage and treat your bloating and determine the root cause of your symptoms, so you can truly experience proper relief.
Gas buildup in the stomach and intestines can cause bloating and discomfort. It often happens due to eating certain foods (like dairy, beans, or carbonated drinks) or swallowing air while eating.
Symptoms include burping, passing gas, and stomach discomfort.
Most of the time, you can manage bloating on your own. However, if you start feeling weak, lose your appetite, or have symptoms like diarrhea, weight loss, fever, belly pain, or notice blood in your stool, it's important to see a doctor. To figure out what's causing your bloating, they might do some tests, such as taking a stool sample, doing an X-ray of your small intestine, or checking if you have lactose intolerance or celiac disease.
Your doctor can help determine if a gut issue like irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, celiac disease, or an infection is causing the bloating. Treatment might involve changes in your diet, improving sleep, getting more exercise, and possibly taking medication. The more you stick to your doctor's advice, the better your chances are of reducing bloating. Make sure to tell your doctor if the bloating is severe or keeps coming back.
It's important to see a healthcare provider if your bloating:
Gets worse over time.
Lasts for more than a week.
Is consistently painful.
Comes with other symptoms like fever, vomiting, or bleeding.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST
Abdominal Imaging: Uses CT scans or MRI to check for issues like constipation, past abdominal surgeries, Crohn's disease, or slow-moving bowels.
Anorectal Manometry with Balloon Expulsion: Tests for problems in the rectum and anus, often used to evaluate conditions like constipation.
Breath Tests: A simple and affordable way to check for conditions like SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth) or food intolerance.
Celiac Serologies: Blood tests that check if your body is having trouble absorbing wheat and gluten, which can indicate celiac disease.
Complete Gastrointestinal Transit Assessment: Uses special methods like scintigraphy or a wireless capsule to see if food is moving too slowly through your digestive system.
Upper Endoscopy: Used if you have serious symptoms like ongoing nausea, vomiting, unexplained weight loss, or a family history of stomach cancer. It helps check for blockages or slow stomach emptying.
TREATMENT
Medications
Medically recommended lifestyle and dietary changes
Testing (to determine if the root cause of bloating is a minor, mild or severe GI condition)
PREVENTION
Lifestyle and Dietary Changes
Stay Hydrated
Drink plenty of water to keep your digestive system moving and prevent constipation.
Water helps soften stool and prevents it from getting stuck.
Get Regular Exercise
Exercise encourages bowel movements and reduces water retention.
Even short walks can help, especially if you have a sedentary lifestyle.
Eat Enough Fiber
Include more fiber-rich foods gradually to avoid overwhelming your digestive system.
Fiber promotes healthy digestion and prevents constipation.
Limit Processed Foods
Processed foods often contain high levels of salt and fat, which can cause water retention and slow digestion.
Choose whole foods that are rich in nutrients and fiber.
Practice Mindful Eating
Eat slowly and chew food thoroughly to avoid swallowing excess air.
Stop eating before you feel full to prevent overeating.
Stop Smoking
Studies show that smoking is associated with gastrointestinal distress, specifically bloating, constipation, and abdominal pain.
Dietary Adjustments
Trim Fat Intake
Fat takes longer to digest, which can make you feel bloated.
Choose lean proteins, whole grains, and vegetables instead.
Avoid Gassy Foods
Foods like beans, broccoli, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts can produce gas and cause bloating.
Your body may adjust over time, or you can try over-the-counter remedies to aid digestion.
Be Cautious with FODMAPs
Some carbs (FODMAPs) are hard to digest and can cause gas and bloating.
Keep track of how your body reacts to different foods and discuss with a doctor if needed.
Reduce Salt Intake
Too much salt can lead to water retention and bloating.
Check food labels for sodium content, especially processed and fast foods.
Watch Your Carbohydrate Consumption
After using carbs for energy, the body stores the extra as glycogen, which retains water.
Opt for complex carbs like whole grains instead of simple carbs such as pastries and white bread.
Eating Habits
Control Portion Sizes
Eating large meals stretches your stomach and can cause bloating.
Try smaller, more frequent meals to avoid feeling overly full.
Limit Fizzy Drinks
Carbonated drinks can cause gas to build up in your digestive system.
The gas may get trapped, leading to bloating.
Slow Down When Eating
Eating quickly makes you swallow more air, which can cause bloating.
Take your time to eat and allow your brain to recognize when you’re full.
Addressing Specific Causes
Weight Management
Gaining weight, especially around the belly, can cause bloating.
A balanced diet and exercise can help reduce excess weight and bloating.
Food Sensitivities
Track any food sensitivities that may cause bloating, such as lactose intolerance.
A food journal can help identify problem foods.
Try an Elimination Diet
Consider eliminating certain foods for a while to see if symptoms improve.
The low-FODMAP diet is one approach that may help with bloating.
Medical and Therapy Options
Consult a Doctor If Symptoms Persist
Seek medical advice if bloating lasts more than a week or if you experience severe symptoms like weight loss, abdominal pain, or blood in the stool.
Hydrogen Breath Test
This test can check for digestive issues like sugar intolerances or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO).
Targeted Probiotics
If you have a gut bacteria imbalance, probiotics may help restore the balance.
Hormone Therapy
Hormonal imbalances during PMS or perimenopause can cause bloating.
Hormone therapy may provide relief.
Biofeedback Therapy
Mind-body therapy can help manage bloating caused by stress or hypersensitivity in the digestive system.
FOODS TO AVOID BLOATING
Salt Intake:
Too much salt makes the body hold onto water, leading to bloating.
Processed and packaged foods often have high salt content.
Carbs:
Eating too many carbs, especially simple carbs like white bread and soda, can cause the body to retain water.
Dairy Products:
Some people can't digest lactose (a sugar in dairy), leading to gas and bloating.
Fructose:
This sugar is found in fruits, honey, and some processed foods. It can be hard for some people to digest, causing bloating.
FOODS TO EAT TO EASE BLOATING
High-Fiber Foods
Oats: Contain beta-glucan, a fiber that reduces inflammation.
Quinoa: High in fiber, helps move food through the digestive system.
Berries (strawberries, blueberries, blackberries): Rich in fiber and water, aiding digestion.
Apples: Contain potassium and pectin, which help maintain fluid balance and reduce constipation.
Rhubarb: Has fiber and sennoside, which stimulates bowel movements.
Water-Rich Foods
Watermelon: Over 90% water, helps with hydration.
Cucumbers: 96% water, helps flush out digestive issues.
Celery: 95% water, also contains fiber and mannitol, which acts as a laxative.
Foods with Digestive Enzymes
Pineapple: Contains bromelain, which breaks down proteins to aid digestion.
Papaya: Has papain, another enzyme that reduces bloating.
Ginger: Relaxes the intestines and breaks down proteins.
Probiotic-Rich Foods
Yogurt: Contains probiotics to support a healthy gut.
Fermented Foods: Alternatives to yogurt include kefir, kimchi, kombucha, and sauerkraut.
Drinks That Help with Bloating
Green Tea: Acts as a natural laxative, boosts hydration, and reduces digestive inflammation.
To help relieve gas, try laying or sleeping on your left side with your knees pulled up to your chest. This helps compress your abdomen while keeping your pelvis straight and more effectively pass gas. When it comes to bloating, lying flat on your stomach may actually make matters worse.
Your stomach’s natural position is on the left side, so laying on that side can help with digestion and allow gravity to help move waste effectively from the small intestine to the large intestine.
How to get unbloated quickly?
You can help relieve your bloating quickly with:
Tea: Peppermint, ginger, and chamomile all have anti-bloating properties
Movement: Light exercises like walking or yoga can help
Over-the-counter medications: Certain over-the-counter medications can temporarily help relieve bloating
Heat: A warm compress, a hot water bottle, or a heating pad can provide relief
How to flatten a bloated stomach?
To eliminate the bulge from bloating, you can:
Increase your water intake
Get regular exercise - both aerobic exercise and strength training
Lower your total calorie intake
Increase your protein and complex carbohydrate intake
Avoid trans fats, alcohol, and sugary foods.
Get plenty of sleep
How can I flush out gas from my stomach?
Here are some quick ways to help move out that pesky, trapped gas:
Increase your liquid intake
Try herbs, like ginger, peppermint, and chamomile for example
Drink apple cider vinegar
Light exercise
Get a massage
Do yoga poses, like child’s pose, happy baby, or knees-to-chest for example
Try digestive enzymes
Discuss any at-home remedies with your doctor before trying them for relief. Please consult with your doctor directly for proper medical relief.
Are bloated stomachs and stomach fullness the same or different?
Stomach fullness and a bloated stomach are both symptoms of excessive gas in the stomach. They both can cause discomfort, a swollen stomach, a feeling of fullness, nausea, excessive flatulence, and feeling relief after belching or passing gas.
Can bloating cause back pain?
Yes, bloating can cause pain in your back. Gas buildup in the abdomen can cause stomach pain that radiates to the back. The pain can feel like a sharp pain or a dull ache. If your bloating and back pain lasts more than a few days, contact your doctor.
Can bloating cause chest pain?
Yes, bloating can also cause chest pain.
Intestinal gas that is backed up and trapped in your upper abdomen can result in chest pain. In fact, some people may wonder if they’re having a heart attack instead of feeling the need to pass gas. Gas pain in the chest typically resolves itself and isn’t something to worry about.
If you’re experiencing persistent or severe pain, or you’re also experiencing fever, nausea, vomiting, unexplained weight loss, chronic or sudden onset of diarrhea, bloody stool, rectal bleeding, or fatty stool, contact your healthcare provider.
Can bloating cause nausea?
Yes, bloating can cause nausea.
In addition to bloating, trapped gas can also cause flatulence, burping, stomach cramps, rumbling/gurgling sounds, nausea, and pain when bending or exercising. A change in your eating habits may help relieve your bloating, nausea, and tiredness. If these symptoms persist, talk to your doctor.
Can bloating cause cramps?
Yes, bloating can also cause cramps. Bloating and cramps are both often caused by trapped gas or constipation. If you’re experiencing waves of sharp pain in your belly along with the bloating, you may be dealing with cramps due to intestinal gas.
How long does a bloated stomach last?
If your bloating is caused by something you ate or drank or because of hormone fluctuations, you should begin to see relief within a few hours to a couple of days.
If your bloating is due to constipation, your bloating won’t go down until you poop. Herbal teas, exercise, and water can help relieve your bloating and constipation. If your bloating does not go away or gets worse after a few days, seek medical attention.
How common is stomach bloating?
Approximately 10% to 25% of healthy people experience occasional abdominal bloating with about 10% of people saying they experience it regularly.
About 75% of people describe their bloating as moderate to severe, but only about 50% of people who experience bloating report a swollen abdomen. Approximately 75% of women report bloating before and during their period. As you can see, bloating is a somewhat common issue. If your symptoms persist, contact your doctor to determine the root cause.
When to see a doctor for bloating pains?
If your bloating doesn’t improve in a few days or if you have any of the following symptoms, contact your doctor:
Bloody stool
Diarrhea
Fever following surgery
Nausea or vomiting
Vaginal bleeding
Unexplained weight loss
Worsening heartburn
What is a bloated stomach?
A bloated stomach is defined as a feeling of tightness, pressure, or fullness in the abdomen and can sometimes cause a visibly swollen belly.
The feeling of bloating can range from intensely painful to mildly uncomfortable. Digestive issues and the fluctuation of hormones can cause bloating, and it usually goes away after a while. If your bloating doesn’t go away, talk to your doctor to determine the cause.
SCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENT TODAY, NO REFERRAL NEEDED
We know bloating can be a nuisance, whether it’s the annoying sharp pains or you can’t button your pants.
To get to the root cause of your gut issues or to learn more about dealing with bloating when it pops up, get in touch with Charleston GI! Our team is committed to a higher standard of caring and provides a variety of treatments to help you feel your best.
