Bloating Misinformation and Preventative Steps

For many years, the general public has seen various magazines and television shows discuss “bloating” and ways to reduce abdominal swelling. At its core, bloating can be defined as a buildup of gas in the stomach and lower intensities. It should be noted that bloating is not the same as water retention and bloating, over the years, has been associated with many underlying gut issues. In order to eliminate some of the misinformation surrounding bloating, Dr. Alex Cooper gastroenterologist, will discuss various myths and ways that people can reduce their chances of experiencing bloating.

Bloating is normal

Yes and no. There are various forms of bloating, intermittent bloating that people experience throughout the day, and continuous bloating. Intermittent bloating is common and can have various causes ranging from food volume to constipation and even gas produced by gut microbiota (GM). However, continuous bloating, or bloating that remains throughout the day, should not be ignored as there could be serious health concerns associated with it. If you believe that you are experiencing continuous bloating, you should consult your gastroenterologist right away.

Eating Certain Foods can Eliminate Bloating

You may have read an article that says eating a “superfood” every day will eliminate bloating and give you the flat stomach you’ve always wanted. This is, unfortunately, untrue. No one food will eliminate bloating, nor should it be sought out. Intermittent bloating should not be seen as inherently negative, as the production of gas by our GM is healthy and a natural process.

Bloating is Always Caused By Foods

Bloating isn’t only caused by what foods have been eaten, but can also be caused by a number of other medical conditions. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and celiac disease have been known to cause mild to severe bloating. Bloating caused by medical conditions will frequently appear as continuous bloating, so if you’re bloating frequently last longer than 8 hours, it is best to consult your doctor.

The question still remains, how do you prevent bloating. The simplest answer is through trial and error. Every person experiences bloating for different reasons, so the best way to prevent bloating is to keep track of when you experience bloating and what activities you were doing beforehand. You may find that the reason you are experiencing bloating isn’t food-related at all, but can be related to your menstrual cycle, stress levels, or even chewing gum.