Common causes of stomach bloating

Bloating is a feeling of fullness, pressure, or visible swelling around the abdomen. Eating quickly, chewing gum, fizzy drinks, constipation, and changes in gut movement can increase gas or make it harder to pass. Food Intolerance and Lactose Intolerance may cause bloating after particular foods, often with cramps, wind, or altered bowel movements. Irritable Bowel Syndrome can link bloating with abdominal pain and changes in stool pattern. Coeliac Disease may cause digestive symptoms after gluten exposure. Giardiasis and Helicobacter Pylori Infection are other possible digestive conditions, particularly when bloating occurs with diarrhoea, nausea, pain, or appetite changes. A symptom diary can reveal timing without requiring broad food restriction.

Eat slowly, chew thoroughly, drink water, and take gentle walks to support bowel movement. Notice links with portion size, fizzy drinks, dairy, wheat-containing foods, constipation, stress, and menstrual timing. Avoid removing many foods at once, since this can make your diet less balanced and obscure the trigger. Nutrition Counselling can help you test dietary changes safely. Arrange a review if bloating is persistent, recurrent, or interfering with eating and daily life; bring your diary and details of bowel changes, medicines, and weight.

Seek urgent help for severe or rapidly worsening abdominal pain, a hard swollen abdomen with vomiting, inability to pass stool or gas, fainting, blood in stool, or signs of dehydration. Arrange prompt medical advice for persistent bloating with unexplained weight loss, repeated vomiting, fever, bleeding, or a new change in bowel habit. Bloating has many causes, so the pattern and accompanying symptoms guide the assessment.

Ask: Could constipation, an intolerance, infection, or another digestive condition explain this pattern? Should I test or avoid any food? Which symptoms need prompt review? Would a dietitian or Nutrition Counselling be useful?