Having Trouble with Bloating? It Might Be Your Diet

Abdominal bloating is a pesky symptom that most people experience repeatedly 
throughout their life. It can be caused by a variety of things, most of which are fairly 
harmless and can be treated with simple measures. Bloating is most commonly caused 
by food-based indigestion or a buildup of gas in the digestive system. As long as 
bloating reduced within a day or two there is typically no cause for concern.  
 

Common Causes of Abdominal Bloating
 
There are many very common causes of bloating and the symptoms that accompany it. 
Bloating typically follows a 1-3 day pattern and will remedy itself naturally. The reasons 
below are the standard triggers for abdominal bloating.  
 
Gas 
 
The most common cause of bloating is a buildup of non-harmful gas in the stomach and 
intestinal tract. Gas-related bloating typically only causes mild discomfort. However, 
painful cramps or severe nausea can also accompany bloating caused by gas.  
 
Indigestion 
 
Indigestion is a mild to moderate stomach discomfort that everyone experiences to 
some degree from time to time. Indigestion will typically subside in a few days. 
Everyday causes of indigestion include: 
 
 Overeating  
 Eating foods that dont agree with you (spicy food, excess sugar, excess acid, etc.)  
 Medications that cause stomach irritation  
 Overuse of caffeine or alcohol  
 
Intolerance to Certain Foods 
 
One of the most common causes of bloating, gas and stomach cramps is food 
intolerance. Examples of food intolerances include: 
 
 Lactose intolerance  
 Gluten allergy  
 Intolerance to spicy foods  
 
By simply noticing which foods lead to bloating, you can avoid those foods or only use 
in moderation to prevent bloating in the future.  


 
Stomach Infection 
 
There are many types of mild stomach infections that can cause bloating, gas and 
nausea. These mild stomach infections typically go away within a few days. It is 
important to drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration as the stomach infection 
remedies itself. If bloating and other stomach-related issues do not resolve within a few 
days, calling your doctor is your best bet.  

 
Disruption in Bacteria Balance 
 
While bacteria often has negative connotations, your stomach and intestinal tract have a 
variety of good bacteria that helps your body digest food. When the balance of the 
various kinds of bacteria is disrupted, it can lead to an excess of bad bacteria in the 
small intestine. This leads to trouble breaking down food and absorbing the nutrients 
within the food, leading to bloating.  

 
Constipation 
 
When the microbiota in your gut interacts with trapped stool, an excess of gas is 
produced in your colon. This leads to bloating and constipation. This is typically 
remedied naturally.  
 

Simple Remedies to Treat Bloating
 
There are many different options and remedies to safely treat bloating and subsequent 
symptoms at home. Some of the most common remedies include:  
 Lying down with a heating bad on the stomach  
 Common drugstore medicines such as an antacid or a product containing bismuth 
salicylate  
 Cleansing the system by drinking a lot of water  
 Drinking teas with ingredients that are used for calming the stomach, such as 
peppermint tea  
 Drinking carbonated water to calm the digestive tract
