Food is meant to bring comfort and pleasure so you have my sincere sympathy if the consumption of food leaves you feeling bloated and uncomfortable.
While there are a hundred and one reasons for feeling bloated, most people will fall under the 5 categories I am about to share with you.
It’s a good idea to narrow down the possibilities before even stepping into your doctor’s office; it will save you time and money for sure.
5 Causes of for that bloated feeling in your tummy
1. Your Diet
Some foods just make you bloated because of how they are broken down by the digestive tract. Common offenders are beans, cabbage and broccoli.
If you use fiber supplements, remember to drink a lot of water with it to prevent bloating. The solution is simple; eliminate the foods that make you feel bloated.
2. Acid Reflux (GERD)
The esophagus (food pipe) is designed to be a one-way traffic road. When a back flow occurs from the stomach, you get the sour aftertaste from the acid juices made in the stomach for digestion and a lot of belching.
Look out for a future article on how to tackle this problem.
3. Lactose Intolerance
A high number of adults are functionally lactose intolerance but don’t even know it. If you get gassy after consuming dairy products (milk, cheese, ice cream, yogurt on rare occasions), chances are that you are lactose intolerant.
Solution for lactose intolerance? Avoid dairy. There are all sorts of lactose-free options theses days from lactose-free milk to almond or rice milk.
4. Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Bloating, constipation alternating with diarrhea, abdominal pain relieved by pooping are the classic tell-tale signs of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
IBS flares up in stressful situations. It’s hard to tell your bloating is from IBS without being medically evaluated.
5. Gallstones
If you get gassy and nauseous after a greasy meal, say a hamburger and you feel pain on the upper right side of your belly; you could have a gall stone colic. There are no home remedies for this one. Turn yourself in to the ER.