Why do you get bloated

If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Most people experience bloating at some point. Exercises, supplements, and massages can all help to reduce bloating quickly, and simple lifestyle changes can prevent it from reoccurring. Abdominal bloating is when the abdomen feels full and tight.

It commonly occurs due to a buildup of gas somewhere in the gastrointestinal GI tract. Bloating causes the belly to look larger than usual, and it may also feel tender or painful. Fluid retention in the body can also lead to bloating. In this article, we provide techniques for getting rid of bloating quickly and explain how to reduce bloating in the long-term. Bloating usually happens when excess gas builds up in the stomach or intestines. When bloating occurs right after a meal, it usually resolves itself, but it is often possible to speed up this process.

Many home remedies can help to manage the pain and discomfort of bloating. The following quick tips may help people to get rid of a bloated belly quickly:. Physical activity can get the bowels moving more regularly, which can help to release excess gas and stool.

Getting the bowels to move is especially important if a person is feeling constipated. A walk around the block can provide fast relief from gas pressure. Certain yoga poses can position the muscles in the abdomen in a way that encourages the release of excess gas from the GI tract.

This can reduce bloating. Learn more about yoga poses for flatulence. Peppermint oil capsules may also be helpful for indigestion and related gas. Manufacturers usually market them as a treatment for the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome IBS , but people without IBS can also use them to relieve bloating.

Peppermint works by relaxing the intestinal muscles, which allows gas and stool to move along more effectively. People should always follow the instructions on the packet. Anyone who is prone to heartburn may need to avoid peppermint. Peppermint capsules are available to buy over the counter OTC at drug stores or online.

Simethicone pills and liquid are anti-gas medications that can help to move excess air out of the digestive tract. It is essential to always take medication according to the instructions on the label.

People can find gas relievers in drug stores or online. Massaging the abdomen can help to get the bowels moving. A massage that follows the path of the large intestine is especially helpful. We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission.

Bloating is when your belly feels swollen after eating 1. It is usually caused by excess gas production or disturbances in the movement of the muscles of the digestive system 2.

It can also make your stomach look bigger 3. Put simply, bloating involves excessive amounts of solids, liquids or gas in your digestive system. However, in some people, bloating is caused mostly by increased sensitivity. Although bloating is sometimes caused by serious medical conditions, it is most often caused by the diet and some foods or ingredients you are intolerant to.

Add another daily meal if necessary. The issue is mostly sensory 8 , 9. A person with a tendency to be bloated will experience discomfort from a smaller amount of food than a person who rarely feels bloated. Chewing your food better can have a two-fold effect. It reduces the amount of air you swallow with the food a cause of bloating , and it also makes you eat slower, which is linked to reduced food intake and smaller portions People who experience bloating often have increased sensitivity to food in the stomach.

Therefore, eating smaller meals can be very useful. Food allergies and intolerances are relatively common. When you eat foods that you are intolerant to, it can cause excess gas production, bloating and other symptoms. Food allergies and intolerances are common causes of bloating. Common offenders include lactose, fructose, wheat, gluten and eggs. One is gas produced by the bacteria in the gut. The other is air or gas that is swallowed when you eat or drink.

The biggest offender here is carbonated beverages like soda or fizzy drinks. They contain bubbles with carbon dioxide, a gas that can be released from the liquid after it reaches your stomach.

Chewing gum, drinking through a straw and eating while talking or while in a hurry can also lead to increased amounts of swallowed air. Bouts of diverticulitis can be treated in a number of ways: bowel rest nothing to eat or drink , a liquid diet, antibiotics if severe pain, fever, or an elevated white blood cell count are present , and analgesia pain management.

Severe tenderness may prompt a CAT scan to exclude an abscess. Worst-case scenario includes drainage of any abscesses, or surgery to remove a severely affected area. The longer your stool sits in the diverticular orifices, the greater the risk of developing diverticulitis — so constipation is definitely to be avoided.

Once the acute episode of diverticulitis is over, a high-fiber diet can help keep you regular and avoid future complications. Pelvic inflammatory disease PID occurs when the uterine lining, fallopian tubes, or ovaries become infected, usually from sexually transmitted diseases like chlamydia or gonorrhea.

It can also occur during childbirth, abortion , or miscarriage, or with insertion of an intrauterine device.

Bloating accompanied by fever, pain, and tenderness in the pelvic area, plus a vaginal discharge, is very suggestive of PID. A careful pelvic exam and treatment with antibiotics are essential for PID.

Untreated, it can lead to infertility and ectopic pregnancies a pregnancy that implants and grows in the fallopian tubes rather than in the uterus and can cause life-threatening tubal rupture. The lag time between initial symptoms and diagnosis can be years, and bloating is one of the early symptoms. There may be other symptoms present outside of the GI tract, including mouth ulcers , joint pain, skin lesions, and inflammation in the eyes.

X-rays and even colonoscopy may not show the inflammation, which usually occurs at the end of the small intestine the ileum , an area not within easy reach of the endoscope. More sophisticated imaging techniques such as a CAT scan, MRI , or video capsule endoscopy a tiny ingestible micro-camera in a pill may be required. In , she founded the Digestive Center for Women, an integrative practice that incorporates nutritional optimization, exercise physiology, biofeedback, and stress reduction as part of the therapeutic approach to digestive disorders.

Important: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not Everyday Health. What is bloating? Bloating is a condition where your belly feels full and tight, often due to gas.

Causes of Bloating One common cause of bloating is constipation. Other symptoms of constipation include: Straining to start or finish a bowel movement Stool that looks like rocks and pebbles Not feeling empty after a bowel movement Constipation can contribute to abdominal pain and bloating.

Aside from constipation, other causes of bloating include: Gut sensitivity: People with IBS can be extremely sensitive to gas, which can cause pain, cramping and diarrhea. Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth SIBO : Most healthy people have relatively few bacteria in the small intestine.

Gastroparesis : This condition causes delayed stomach emptying, which can cause bloating, nausea and even bowel blockage. Gynecological conditions: Sometimes problems with your ovaries or uterus may cause bloating.