What should you know about bloating and gas?

Gas enters the digestive tract when you swallow air and is also produced as gut bacteria break down some carbohydrates. Fast eating, straws, gum and carbonated drinks can increase swallowed air. Constipation may hold gas in and make the abdomen feel tight. Symptoms after dairy may fit Lactose Intolerance; symptoms with other foods may reflect Food Intolerance. Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Coeliac Disease and Giardiasis can also involve bloating or altered bowel habits.

Eat slowly, chew thoroughly, limit fizzy drinks and take regular gentle movement. Keep a record of portions, food ingredients, stool pattern and whether passing gas relieves the pressure. Fibre can support bowel regularity, but add it gradually and drink enough water. Avoid relying on repeated elimination diets; Nutrition Counselling can help identify triggers while keeping meals nourishing.

Seek a routine assessment if gas and bloating continue, disturb sleep, change your bowel pattern or are accompanied by persistent diarrhoea, constipation, vomiting, fever or weight loss. Get urgent help for intense or sudden abdominal pain, a swollen hard abdomen, blood in stool, repeated vomiting, fainting, or inability to pass stool or gas.

Ask whether your food and stool pattern suggests a food intolerance, constipation or another condition, whether testing is useful, and how to manage symptoms without unnecessary restrictions.