Stomach bloating is a common phenomenon that many of us are experiencing these days. With doctors attributing this condition to stress, improper diet and harmful exposure to various pollutants, the situation gets out of hand when the bloating is accompanied by gastric pain or indigestion.

Stomach bloating is different from fat accumulation around the stomach area; it’s, in fact, the build-up of gas around the stomach area that makes it protrude out uncomfortably. Most of the time, this uncomfortable feeling can be handled by bringing out small modifications to one’s lifestyle and eating habits.

Symptoms of Stomach Bloating

If the bloating occurs along with any of the below-mentioned symptoms then its time you raise some alarm bells:

• Vomiting and nausea
• Blood in the urine or stool
• Skin Rashes
• Fever
• Unintentional weight loss

Possible Causes of Stomach Bloating

• Infection

When the body is affected by an infection, the inflammation levels rise and the white blood cell count goes up to around the urinary, abdominal and pelvic organs. This condition could also give rise to rashes, redness, pain and show signs of fever.

• Dehydration

When the body is dehydrated, it causes an electrolyte imbalance. To recover and to prevent the reoccurrence of dehydration, the body starts to hold the excess water. During this time, some people also experience constipation. Now, when you try to up your fluid intake, you start to entirely bulky around your midsection.

• Hormonal changes

Many women experience bloating before, during or after their monthly cycle. During the early stage of the menstrual cycle, the estrogen levels rise. The uterine lining thickens, thus, bloating becomes evident as ovulation occurs and more fluids and blood build-up. Once the lady has her period, the excess fluid, blood and tissue are flushed out and the bloating slowly disappears.

• Food allergies

Many times, food allergies also cause bloating. Many food items are known to cause excessive gas in the body such as milk and dairy products, prunes, beans and lentils, starchy foods like potatoes and pasta, etc.

Dyspepsia is a common clinical problem seen both by primary care physicians and gastroenterologists. Initial evaluation should focus on the identification and treatment of potential causes of symptoms such as GERD, PUD, and medication side effects but also on recognizing those at risk of more serious conditions such as gastric cancer.

Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD

Ways to Avoid Stomach Bloating

There are a handful of good foods that you can incorporate into your diet to prevent bloating. Some of these are:

• Probiotics

Probiotics or healthy bacteria don’t need much of an introduction. These gut-friendly bacteria help to kill the harmful bacteria and keep the healthy ones active. So, make it a point to include yoghurt or kefir as a part of your regular diet.

• Water-rich fruits and vegetables

Another effective way to curb stomach bloating is to include healthy proportions of water-rich fruits and veggies in our diet. Thus, try eating lots of melons, cucumber, berries and green leafy vegetables.

• Herbs and Spices

A quick way to bid goodbye to bloating is to up the intake of digestion-soothing herbs such as ginger, fennel seeds, parsley and rosemary.

Bloating accompanied by severe abdominal pain in the back, loin or groin and infrequent episodes of nausea and vomiting might be indicative of Kidney stones.

Dr. Ashish Bajaj, M.B.B.S., M.D.

And some foods that you should avoid include:

• Sugar and sweetened tidbits
• Difficult to digest vegetables like cauliflower and cabbage
• Carbonated drinks
• Artificial sweeteners

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