When we digest food, what we take into our body through the mouth is broken down and processed via the multiple organs of the digestive tract: the esophagus, stomach, large and small intestines, and rectum. Throughout this process, the food and fluids you ingest are broken down, their nutrients absorbed, and the remaining waste removed as feces and urine.
Digestive issues happen for several reasons and can lead to unpleasant symptoms, including bloating. Occasional bloating is manageable, but if you’re dealing with it all the time, it could point to an underlying problem that needs addressing. Let’s take a closer look at what bloating is, why it happens, and how it becomes chronic.
Dr. Eric Ibegbu and our dedicated medical staff at Atlantic Medical Group offer expert care for a range of gastrointestinal problems, including illnesses associated with symptoms like bloating.
When you experience bloating, your abdominal area feels full and tight, often due to gas. In some cases, the symptoms range from mild to severe and can lead to problems like a distended abdomen. Depending on the reason for bloating, you may also have abdominal pain or expel gas through excess belching (burping) or flatulence (farting).
Some bloating every once in a while is considered normal, but it’s not healthy to deal with it all the time. If this form of discomfort happens daily, you should seek medical help to determine the cause and get it treated.
Diet often plays a part in bloating, due to what you eat, how quickly you eat, or how much. When your stomach has too much gas from excess food, it tends to expand, and when you eat too quickly, you take in more air, which produces the same effect. Specific foods and drinks like alcohol, carbonated drinks, and high-fiber foods can also cause bloating.
Making simple changes to your eating habits can reduce the amount of bloating you experience. However, other issues can lead to bloating, including:
When your body reacts adversely to certain foods due to an allergic reaction or intolerance, you may experience problems like bloating, hives, or, in extreme cases, trouble breathing due to anaphylaxis.
When you have fewer bowel movements, gas buildup can cause bloating in addition to issues like straining, pebble-like stool, and not feeling like you’ve completely emptied your bowels. Constipation is also frequently a symptom of other medical problems.
IBS is a digestive disorder that can cause sensitivity in the gut, which may lead to diarrhea, cramping, and bloating.
Intestinal surgery and digestive problems like IBS with diarrhea may upset bacterial growth in the gut, specifically the small intestine.
This condition slows down digestion, which can make problems like delayed stomach emptying, nausea, bowel blockage, and bloating more likely.
Women struggling with various reproductive problems can experience this unpleasant symptom.
Diet can lead to many digestive issues like occasional bloating, but persistent problems can indicate underlying conditions that require medical attention. If you’re dealing with constant bloating, make an appointment with Dr. Ibegbu and our medical team at Atlantic Medical Group today.
