Frequent bloating: causes, dietary fixes and the symptoms that call for a doctor
Bloating, gas and a heavy stomach are now common in people of all ages, and some accompanying symptoms need prompt medical attention.
Bloating has become a common complaint from children to adults. A pulled feeling in the stomach, gas, belching and a heavy stomach are all part of the problem. Poor eating habits, too much junk food and disturbed sleep quickly affect digestion.
People often ignore digestive trouble in the early days, but over time it can become serious and harm the whole body. Eating in a hurry and swallowing too much air while eating leaves air trapped in the stomach. Carbonated drinks, very oily food, overeating and very spicy food can cause harm later.
Some everyday foods are among the causes of indigestion. Kidney beans, chickpeas, some pulses, cabbage and onions produce more gas in the intestines of many people as they are digested. Even small slips in diet show a direct effect on the body. If the bowels do not clear properly, stool stays longer in the intestines, which makes heaviness, a pulled feeling and gas more likely. Not drinking enough water through the day, eating too little fibre and not moving about also affect digestion quickly.
Milk and milk products contain lactose, which is not easily digested. Bloating, gas, stomach pain or diarrhoea can follow after eating them. Intolerance, sensitive intestines and irritable bowel syndrome can also upset stomach health. When gas collects, there is belching or passing of wind, a feeling of fullness, a reduced appetite and clothes feeling tight around the stomach. If the stomach feels heavy right after eating, changing daily eating habits is very important.
On changing diet: do not eat in a hurry, chew food well, drink enough water, stay physically active and eat as little junk food as possible. It is also important to work out which food is causing the repeated bloating.
Those with frequent bloating or indigestion should seek treatment on a doctor's advice. If bloating comes with persistent stomach pain, repeated vomiting, blood in the stool, unexplained weight loss, persistent diarrhoea or constipation, or a sudden change in bowel habits, they should see a doctor and get treated at once. Anyone should consult their doctor before trying any remedy.
