Bloating After Eating

Bloating, which is commonly experienced after meals, starts as a tight feeling in the abdomen, which may sometimes lead to severe cramping and pain. Bloating may subside in a few hours or take a few days, according to the severity of the condition and the underlying cause. Some people experience this condition occasionally or once in a blue moon, but some others suffer from frequent bloating after eating. Bloating may be associated with stomach pain, belching, wind, shortness of breath and stomach rumbling. In most cases, an increase in the size of the abdomen may also be noted. Go through this article to know more about this condition.

Causes of Bloating After Eating

So, it is a common fact that bloating is the tight feeling in the abdomen, which may or may not be accompanied with an uncomfortable swelling. Apart from the bloated feeling, this condition may cause certain symptoms that may vary from one person to another and as per the underlying cause. Such symptoms include stomach pain that may radiate to any other location, like the chest, back, etc. Shortness of breath, belching, burping and wind may also develop. In general, bloating is caused by the gas that is trapped in the intestine. This can be caused by the excess air swallowed through the mouth. But, the most common cause is the gas produced by the bacteria in the intestine, as they act upon the food that is not properly digested. Intestinal gas is usually found to be a combination of oxygen, hydrogen, carbon dioxide, methane, etc. Intestinal gas with sulfur is foul-smelling. There are various factors that can cause abdominal bloating after eating.

Faulty Eating Habits: One of the common causes for abdominal bloating after eating is faulty eating habits. Eating fatty foods in large amounts, eating too fast without chewing the food properly, eating while moving and swallowing air through the mouth, while having food, can lead to this condition. This may result in production of small amounts of stomach acid that may not be sufficient for digesting food, especially protein. The partially digested protein enter the intestine and cause bloating. Drinking water in large amounts at a time may also be a cause for bloating. Chewing gum is said to cause bloating, as air is swallowed when you chew this product. If the product contains artificial sweeteners, it could increase the severity of bloating.

Intake of Food that Cause Bloating: While, certain foods are generally found to cause bloating, there are some others that may cause bloating in certain people. Those in the first category include, fried fatty foods, milk and dairy products, fruits like banana, apple, melon and prunes and vegetables like cucumber, radish, corn, onion, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, etc. Even artificial sweeteners, cereals, wheat products, dried legumes, certain whole grains (like wheat, and flaxseed), some of the nuts and seeds used for snacking, drinks like wine, beer, carbonated and caffeinated beverages, etc. can cause bloating. Reheating food is also said to be a cause for bloating. Reheating foods, especially the starchy ones, results in alteration of the molecular structure of starch, which does not get digested properly and leads to bloating, as it reaches the large intestine. A diet that is rich in fiber can also contribute to bloating.

Food intolerance: While gassy foods can cause bloating in many, certain foods can cause intolerance in some people. Bloating is one of the classic symptoms of food intolerance, which may also cause nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea or constipation. This condition should not be confused with food allergy. Food intolerance symptoms usually appear within a few hours or even days after ingestion. This condition is caused by the body's inability to produce the specific enzyme needed for digesting that food. The most commonly found food intolerance include those which are caused by wheat, dairy products, soy products, shellfish, egg, peanuts, chocolate, etc.

Medical Conditions: There are various medical conditions that can cause bloating. Most common among them is irritable bowel syndrome. Mostly seen in women, this condition can cause other symptoms like nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea or constipation and change in bowel habits. Irritable bowel syndrome may be associated with other conditions, like migraine, fibromyalgia, depression and anxiety too. Other medical conditions that are associated with bloating after eating are gastric insufficiency, gastric dumping syndrome, intestinal parasites, diverticulosis, polycystic ovary syndrome and partial bowel obstruction. Even hormonal changes during menstruation, menopause and ovulation can play a key role in causing bloating. Stress is one of those factors that is commonly associated with bloating. In fact, stress triggers irritable bowel syndrome, which is a cause for bloating. Use of antibiotics can disrupt the balance between the good and bad microorganisms in gut. Antibiotics can reduce the population of the good bacteria in the intestine, thereby disrupting the digestive process. Reduction in the number of good bacteria paves way for proliferation of bad ones that can cause problems, like bloating.

How to Get Rid of Bloating After Eating?

Occasional bloating is considered a minor problem, which arises from certain foods or some other reasons. But frequent incidences of severe bloating needs medical attention to find out the underlying cause. It is considered that a person with a healthy digestive system may experience less frequent episodes of bloating as compared to those with digestive disorders. Bloating can be reduced to some extent with some simple measures.

• As diet is found to be a key factor in causing bloating, make a list of those foods that are possibly causing bloating. Try avoiding them from your diet. This is mostly applicable to those with food intolerance. Others too can try avoiding foods from their diet.
• Avoid having fried and fatty foods, along with carbonated and caffeinated drinks. Raw foods as well as foods rich in fiber and processed foods must be avoided. Instead of large meals, try to have frequent small meals, for relief from bloating. It will be better to take fruits at least half an hour before meals or two hours after it.
• Try to stay calm while having food. Sit straight and chew the food slowly. It will be better to chew the food, with your mouth closed, so as to avoid intake of air along with the food. Avoid reheated foods and those that are too hot or cold. Including foods with probiotics (like organic yogurt) may prove beneficial for some.
• Avoid lying down, soon after having food. You may go for a short stroll after that. While sleeping, prefer left side instead of right and elevate your head with pillows. Avoid smoking and use of other tobacco products, for relief from bloating. Drink lots of water and have a balanced diet.

The above said is only a brief overview about bloating after eating. While occasional bloating may not be a big problem, frequent and severe ones need immediate medical attention. If there is any underlying medical condition, then early diagnosis and treatment is always advisable. For bloating, medicines like antacids, food enzymes, etc are used for treatment. However the mode of treatment may vary from one person to another, as per the underlying cause. Above all, regular exercise with a healthy lifestyle can work wonders in preventing this condition.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice. Visiting your physician is the safest way to diagnose and treat any health condition.