Everyone knows that over indulgence at the dinner table is one of the common reasons for bloating, but did you know that there are actually many causes of stomach bloating, and some of them may shock you! Chewing gum for example, can be one of the unexpected causes of having a bloated sensation, and so can reheating your food! If you’re wondering “why is my stomach bloated” you may have some research to do if you didn’t give yourself a bad case of indigestion by grabbing one too many helpings of mashed potatoes.
Are you noticing frequent bloating after carbalicious meals? You might just have a gluten sensitivity. When your body treats gluten as a toxin in the body, it can be one of the causes of stomach bloating. This might make a trip to the doctor’s office worthwhile if you are having rather unexplained bloating and gas. Perhaps you are not getting enough of your vitamins in your diet. Vitamin deficiency can also be one of the causes of stomach bloating. Women specifically may encounter more of these symptoms during menstruation, as vitamin deficiency can be one of the causes of bloating in women during their monthly visitors.
Overgrowth of candida can also cause some rather unpleasant digestive system symptoms including gas, nausea and constipation. It might be difficult for your doctor to diagnose a candida overgrowth, so examine your symptoms or talk to your Naturopath to determine if your excessive fungus is one of the causes of stomach bloating you need to consider. Although not given much attention by Western doctors, Candida is taken very seriously by holistic practitioners and considered to be the leading cause of not only many unpleasant digestive symptoms, but also many other medical conditions.
Have you recently started taking probiotics? If so, while your body is adjusting to the 1 or 2 billion cells Lactobacillus acidophilus cells, you could go through a period of excessive gas, stomach discomfort and bloating. In addition, if you are lactose intolerant, you could also be reacting to the lactose in some probiotic supplements, such as the yogurt-like type from Bio K brand.
The important thing to remember is that while bloating is very common and may seem normal if you overdid it at the all you can eat buffet, you should take note of the occurrence and listen to your body sending you signals of a potential digestive issue. If bloating is frequent, normally painful, or carries any other signs or symptoms, use the clues your body is giving you to help determine if you need to see a doctor or health care provider, and evaluate your current diet to determine any potential offending foods. In addition, making dietary changes and wise meal choices will help you alleviate your bloat in between meal times. Avoid chewing gum, eating a lot of reheated food, and munching at bed time to help ward off a poofy tummy, and if you’ve already obtained a distended gut, you can try talking a walk or trying an antacid to relieve your symptoms.
