Stomach bloating is when the belly inflates and a person feels uncomfortable. It’s often when a person has too much gas that clogs up their gastrointestinal tract. Many people attribute bloating to eating foods they have consumed such as broccoli, beans or eating too much fruits and vegetables. While this is a common cause of bloating, there are times when your bloating could signal something more serious.
According to the Mayo Clinic, stomach bloating can be caused by a variety of factors.
Some of the most common causes of bloating are eating or drinking gassy carbonated foods, stress or anxiety and in some cases, conditions like Coeliac disease or Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).
There are symptoms, however, that could indicate something is more serious.
It’s advised to speak to your GP to get to the root of your bloating problem and discuss if it might be something more serious.
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Weight loss
If a person experiences weight loss alongside the bloating it could be a serious medical condition. Now Patient said: “Weight loss alongside continually bloating should be explored by your GP, especially if the weight loss was not part of a change of diet or lifestyle.”
Changes in bathroom habits
Changes in your normal toilet habits could be a sign of something serious. Now Patient said: “If a person experiences out of the ordinary bathroom changes, such as continuous diarrhoea, needing to go more frequently or blood in your stools may indicate that you have something which needs medical attention.”
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Fatigue
“Continually feeling tiredness combined with bloating can be attributed to many things but shouldn’t be ignored,” added Now Patient.
Appetite changes
“If you’re starting to feel full when eating less or find your appetite isn’t as much as it used to be, then speak to your GP about your symptoms, said Now Patient.
Stomach pain
Stomach ache is a term used to refer to cramps or a dull ache in the tummy.
But this is usually short-lived and is often not serious.
But the NHS warns: “Severe abdominal pain is a greater concern.
“If it starts suddenly and unexpectedly, it should be regarded as a medical emergency, especially if the pain is concentrated in a particular area.”
