Bloating of the stomach is an extremely common ailment and is one that is experienced by many people, irrespective of age or gender. It is generally experienced as a feeling of tightness within the stomach and can be an uncomfortable sensation for those that have regular problems with it. It can also result in swelling of the abdomen which can be painful for the sufferer and people with unhealthy digestive systems are more likely to experience the problem than those who have healthy systems. It is a common experience after eating a meal, although this may not be the only reason for bloating and there are a number of bloating causes.
A common bloating cause can be due to the foods we eat. As food is broken down in our gut it gives off gas, and the build up of this gas in our stomach can lead to the sensation of tightness and bloating. This can generally be relieved by passing wind or burping and if the bloating cause you have is as a result of eating then it makes sense to try and avoid foods which can lead to excessive gas. There are a number of foods which are more likely to cause bloating and the main one of these is wheat, which is commonly accepted as a major contributor to bloating. Other food groups which are more likely to cause bloating include starches such as potato and bread which produce a lot of gas when broken down, fructose which is a sugar found in many fruits and Lactose a natural sugar found in milk and its byproducts. Carbonated drinks may also cause problems and if experiencing bloating due to foods, discuss this with a dietician and try and identify the causes and cut these out from your diet to relieve the problem.
However bloating is not only caused by the food we eat and if it is experienced on a regular basis it may be as a result of something more serious. Bloating is a symptom of Irritable Bowel Syndrome, a disorder of the intestine which can be both uncomfortable and painful. It can also be caused by bacteria infecting the stomach and also a fungal infection called Candida can result in a bloated stomach. For these types of cases it is generally recommended to visit a doctor, as medication will be able to relieve the symptoms and this will include reducing the effects of bloating. Overall, bloating is something that most people will experience at some time in their life, and for most cases is not serious. However, if experienced on a regular basis, a visit to a medical practitioner is a sensible course of action.