Bloated Stomach Symptoms

Stomach bloating refers to the feeling of fullness and tightness even without consuming food. The bloated sensation is not only present in the stomach, but it can also be felt in the intestinal tract. It is a common health condition that many people fail to identify correctly. Nearly 30-40 percent of people experience bloating. The leading bloated stomach cause is indigestion, particularly after eating unhealthy food. It is also caused by other eating disorders.

Food rich in refined oil and fat are difficult to digest, where irregular digestion causes an excess generation of gases (more than the normal amounts), leading to various symptoms of a bloated stomach.

People who have large stomachs often have bloating problems without even realizing this condition. The symptoms of bloated stomach are often confused with other digestive problems. The following are some of the noticeable symptoms of a bloated stomach.

An abnormal production of gas is one of the manifested symptoms of a bloated stomach. Since food is not digested properly, it produces many other types of gases apart from the normally secreted ones like methane, sulfur, hydrogen, and carbon dioxide. Drinking carbonated beverages (drinks with gas) will promote the occurrence of a bloated stomach, and worsen it over time.

Production of excess gas due to incomplete digestion results in an expanded and hard stomach. The secreted gases accumulate in the stomach and intestinal tract, which then causes an expansion of the walls. This overall process leads to uncomfortable distension of the stomach.

Another notable sign is frequent passing of gas or flatulence. Unlike the normal odorless flatulence, the gas passed out due to a bloated stomach condition, has an unpleasant smell.

General body discomfort, particularly after consuming food, is another symptom of a bloated stomach. Bodily discomfort is often accompanied with the feeling of restlessness and difficulty in breathing.

The symptoms of a bloated stomach also include abdominal pain, which can range from mild to serious, depending upon the severity of the bloating condition. It is also observed that pain in the abdominal portion occurs mostly after having large meals.

Change in the size of one's gut (to some extent), especially before and after eating, is normal. However, if the size of the lower abdominal portion changes significantly during the day, then it poses as a sign of a bloated stomach condition.

If the above bloating stomach symptoms persist for more than 3-4 days, then it is advisable to seek medical attention. Also, symptoms accompanied with severe abdominal pain may be an indication of a serious health condition. Hence, it is always better to diagnose this condition correctly without losing time, so as to avoid any medical complications. There are also certain effective home remedies that help combat a bloated stomach.

Since stomach bloating is caused due to a poor diet and/or excessive food intake, home remedies for a bloated stomach are focused on changing one's diet plan. In order to get rid of bloating, one should focus on adopting fiber-rich into the diet, including fresh fruits, and lots of green, leafy vegetables.

Stimulants, oily food, fatty food (junk/processed/packaged), and also refined foods loaded with artificial sweeteners, should be strictly avoided. Consuming very hot or very cold food also leads to a bloated stomach. Hence, abstaining from this eating habit will help in combating bloating problems.

It is best to maintain a diary and pen-down the food that cause or worsen this stomach condition. A majority of people carry a misconception that stomach swelling is entirely due to bodily fat. It is a fact that a bloated stomach can be caused by being obese, more than anything.

Hence, focusing only strenuous exercises that can rid a flabby stomach over time is not the only solution, but eating healthy too. On a general note, examine the causes of the stomach problem in order to address it effectively, by getting it checked out by a doctor if there is no improvement.