Is it just something you ate, or is the bloating you feel every time you eat something to be concerned about? Learn what causes bloating and when it is necessary to visit the doctor’s office.
Knowing that bloating is common and that almost everyone experiences it now and then doesn’t make it easier to deal with, but it might make you falsely believe it’s no big deal.
That full, tight feeling in your belly could be a temporary response to a big batch of beans, or it might signify a serious health condition. The best way to rule out the latter is to consult with our board-certified specialists at Newtown Gastroenterology. With three offices — Elmhurst in Queens, Sunset Park in Brooklyn, and Lower Manhattan — we’ve got you covered when bloating strikes.
Meanwhile, here are some tips for spotting the telltale signs of common bloating culprits.
Bloating is always uncomfortable but not always a cause for concern. If you feel bloated every time you eat, you may suffer from diet-related bloating or gastritis and stomach ulcers. Here’s a closer look at these common conditions.
Food plays a pivotal role in your overall health, and poor nutrition can lead to multiple health issues. Some of the primary diet-related culprits behind bloating include:
In addition to bloating, an unhealthy diet is one of the leading risks for noncommunicable diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and cancers.
Gastritis and stomach ulcers can cause bloating and involve the inflammation or erosion of your stomach lining. Other symptoms associated with these conditions include:
These conditions are often caused by long-term use of anti-inflammatory drugs or infection with a bacterium called H. pylori.
Pancreatic disorders, including pancreatic enzyme insufficiency and acute pancreatitis, can also result in bloating:
Pancreatic enzyme insufficiency occurs when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough enzymes to aid digestion, leading to malabsorption and symptoms like bloating, gas, and diarrhea.
Acute pancreatitis is inflammation of your pancreas, and it can also cause bloating (especially after eating), severe abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting.
Ascites is the buildup of fluid in the space between the lining of your abdomen and your organs. It can lead to bloating, along with other symptoms, such as:
Although it may be caused by a number of health issues, ascites is often a sign of severe liver disease, namely cirrhosis of the liver. Excessive alcohol consumption is the main driver behind cirrhosis of the liver.
When you visit us for chronic bloating, we first start with the easiest fixes. After thoroughly discussing your symptoms and health history, we examine your abdomen and run the most appropriate tests according to our findings. X-rays and other diagnostic imaging can sometimes rule out or confirm your condition.
Once we identify the root cause, we can start treatment, whether that’s a simple change in your diet or more complicated medical procedures. Each underlying cause calls for a different approach, so the only way to know what you need is to schedule an appointment with our Newtown Gastroenterology team. Book online or call today.
