Bloating isn't just looking like a balloon. It feels uncomfortable and at times, very painful , which is why it's good to know what can cause it to avoid it again in the future.
According to the NHS : "Bloating is where your tummy feels full and uncomfortable. It's very common, and there are things you can do to ease it.
But see a GP if you feel very bloated , you're often bloated, or it does not go away." If you are bloated , your tummy may feel full or bigger than usual. You may also have tummy pain or discomfort. Other signs include your tummy rumbling, making noises, or farting more than usual.
But did you know there's a common trigger which could cause you to bloat? According to Cleveland Clinic , certain fruits may be the culprit. It explains: "The sugars, or fructose, that make these readily available fruits so tasty can complicate digestion and lead to bloating. Apples and pears can also be high in hard-to-process fibre if you eat the skin." While it does say that "apples can also aid digestion by limiting constipation", it stresses that "the key is moderation." In a handy tip, it suggests:: "Peeling the fruit can help, as can cooking it.
Fruits such as bananas, berries and citrus are less apt to lead to bloating, too." As well as common fruits that can cause you to bloat, the Clinic also lists the following as triggers: Onions Lentils Beans Wheat Rye Carbonated beverages Dairy Barley Artificial sweeteners Beer Cruciferous vegetables Fatty foods Garlic If you haven't had fruit recently and are not sure what could be the trigger, the health service notes that constipation , a food intolerance , coeliac disease and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are common culprits of this horrible feeling. Other health issues such as endometriosis, adenomyosis and being on your period are also factors to consider. It does, however, caution: "Sometimes, bloating that does not go away can be a sign of something more serious, such as ovarian cancer." If you have bloating and are worried, please speak to your GP. It's best to never assume what the cause is, but keep a diary may help identify the trigger.
The NHS cautions that if you have bloating with a swollen stomach and the following symptoms, you should call 999. This includes: you have a stomach ache that is severe and came on very suddenly you're vomiting blood or your vomit looks like ground coffee you have severe difficulty breathing – you're gasping, choking or not able to get words out You should ask for an urgent GP appointment if: you have bloating with vomiting (being sick), diarrhoea or constipation you have bloating with a stomach ache you have a high temperature (fever), or feel hot, cold or shivery you have a swelling or lump in your tummy you cannot pee, poo or fart you have a burning feeling in your chest caused by stomach acid travelling up towards your throat (acid reflux) You should see your GP (non-urgent) if: you feel bloated regularly you've tried changing your diet but keep feeling bloated you have bloating and unintentional weight loss you have bloating and also have blood in your poo