Bloating Symptoms 

What is Bloating? Bloating is a general swelling in any part of the body, but is usually experienced in the abdominal area. Bloating can essentially cause an increase in the abdominal area. The diameter of the abdomen could increase either slightly or excessively. Swallowed air is the biggest cause of bloating as well as distention. However, bloating and distention are different from each other. When there is excessive gas in the stomach, it could cause bloating. The gas in the stomach, which causes bloating, is passed from the body by belching, burping and flatulence. Bloating may be caused by swallowing a lot of air while eating, or when a lot of gases are produced in the stomach due to gastric juices and stomach acids. Stomach bloating is extremely uncomfortable and may even cause pain due to distention of the abdominal cavity. Pain due to bloating after eating may be caused periodically, or several times in a single day as well. Though bloating is usually temporary, it could be an indication of a more serious health condition. If the bloating and gas persists, you may need to see a doctor.

Symptoms of Bloating

Causes of Bloating

What Causes Bloating? There are several causes of bloating; however, the most common is the accumulation of gas and liquids in the intestines. There are also specific diseases affecting the gastrointestinal tract which may cause bloating. Ailments such as Crohn’s Disease, may cause obstruction of the bowels and may contribute to the bloating symptoms. When food is not ingested properly, or water intake is not adequate, that too is a cause of bloating. The excessive intake of fatty foods can cause the formation of a layer of fat on the body, causing pressure and bloating.Intolerance towards foods like lactose, fructose, and proteins can disrupt the digestion process, causing the release of gases and liquids and ultimately resulting in bloating. Some of the other causes of bloating are food allergies, overeating, swallowing of air while eating, irritable bowel syndrome, obstruction of the bowels, rapid emptying of the bowels, constipation, menstruation, and cysts in the ovaries.



There is a very large difference between distention and bloating, and though many people do not realize this, it is important to acknowledge this difference for getting the right treatment. Distention is caused due to the bloating. Your abdomen becomes larger due to the gases that are produced from the breakdown of food in the intestines. Distention is a symptom of abdominal bloating, and is therefore responsible for most of the discomfort experienced by a person. There are primarily three ways in which a person could experience abdominal bloating. The increase of air is the primary cause of bloating, but an increase in fluids may also be responsible for the sensation of bloating. There are some foods that cause bloating, but there are also some specific medical conditions that may cause bloating. Excessive fluids in the body, during pregnancy, can be one of the causes for bloating in the body. Once the cause of bloating is determined, bloating relief can be sought. Bloating treatment is usually directly in accordance to the cause of the condition.

Home Remedies for Bloating

Bloating is usually not considered a very serious disorder and can be managed with home remedies. The most effective home remedies for bloating are herbal teas. You can brew chamomile, ginger, peppermint or basil tea. Another option is to add a few drops of clove oil to a glass of water and drink it every morning. This will help improve digestion and release excessive gases. Eucalyptus oil can also be used instead of clove oil.Another effective natural remedy is to boil one tea spoon of ground cinnamon with water. To improve the taste, you can add some honey.



Among the many bloating remedies, you can try chewing some fennel after you have finished your meals. Fennel seeds help the body release gas naturally. If you have some kinds of excessive gas build up in your stomach, chewing a few fennel seeds can help you deal with it. If you do not know how to get rid of the bloated feeling, you can follow certain tips to reduce this condition. Eating and chewing your food slowly is a great way to ensure that excessive gas does not build up in your body. Bloating and gas and IBS are also inter-related, so you should try and get treatment for your condition. Bloating and gas pains are caused when you overeat, so try to eat only as much as your appetite allows.



If you experience bloating and gas while you are pregnant, discuss your condition with your doctor and ask for possible remedies. Also avoid foods that cause bloating and constipation, as persistent constipation can cause a lot of discomfort as well as distention of the abdomen. Bloating and gas relief can be sought by getting your condition diagnosed. If you are experiencing bloating and gas symptoms, do not delay getting yourself checked by a doctor. Bloating relief home remedies are usually very easy to make. There are many natural remedies for treating gas and you can discuss these with your doctor.

Diet for Bloating

When you are feeling bloated, you may feel abdominal discomfort but don’t stop eating. Drink a lot of water and avoid carbonated drinks. Eat foods which are seedless and have been peeled and cooked properly. There are some foods that create excessive gas in the stomach and these should be avoided in your diet. The best bloating after eating remedies are those which involve avoiding foods that can cause excessive gas production in the gastro intestinal tract. These foods include broccoli, baked beans, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, radishes, cabbage, lettuce and certain fruits such as peaches and pears. People who chew a lot of gum also have the propensity to swallow a lot of air, therefore increasing the amount of gas buildup in your tract. Sucking on hard candy could produce similar effects in your GI tract. If you experience bloating after eating rice or wheat, you should avoid eating them. People with Crohn’s disease are not able to digest gluten and therefore may experience gas build up when they consume starches or foods that contain gluten.

Although a person could experience bloating after eating anything, a lot of people experience bloating only after eating yogurt or any other milk products. This is caused due to lactose intolerance. Since the body is not able to digest lactose, it creates a lot of gas instead. If you have a habit of smoking, give it up as soon as you can. Smoking also causes a lot of inhaling of gas and air, which can increase the amount of gas you experience in your body.

Other Suggestions for Bloating

Exercising regularly can help alleviate the symptoms of bloating. Bloating relief during PMS can be had from exercising regularly. Most of the bloating remedies for menstruation include regular physical routine so that the abdomen does not distend any longer.