Stomach Bloating After Eating
Should I Worry About Stomach Bloating after Eating?
There are many of us who have a sensation of stomach bloating after eating. We ignore it if it is marginal or barely perceptible and start worrying about it when it starts affecting us in other ways. One of the resultant worrying developments is difficulty in breathing. Many people who feel bloated also start experiencing a shortness of breath from a feeling of the abdominal region pressing upwards. So, what causes stomach bloating after eating and how much should you worry about it?
The most common cause of stomach bloating after eating is improper digestion. If what you eat is not properly processed by your body it leaves you with an uncomfortable sensation. Gas and a distended gut are indicators of this problem. Sometimes it may be an indication of over-eating and it may be best to reduce the portions consumed in any given meal. Sometimes it may be because of some particular item in a meal. It is worth keeping a food diary and tracking what triggers the sensation of feeling bloated. If it is after every meal, you will have to research further. However, sometimes you may be able to isolate the dishes or ingredients that cause the feeling of discomfort.
There are a whole range of food items that can cause stomach bloating and these include everything from dairy products and chocolate to potatoes, fatty foods and wheat. Those who have consumed dairy for years with no difficulty are sometimes found to be lactose intolerant. Chemical changes in the body or in the brand that is being consumed may sometimes change our body’s reaction to an item that has been perfectly harmless up till that point. So, when researching problem foods do not assume that you are okay with anything and start from scratch. The truth is that finding the item that causes indigestion is a bit like finding an allergen that is the root cause of an allergic condition. There are elaborate tests to sort out allergens and you have to be patient in trying out varied combinations to make sure that you are on the right track. But some focused effort and subsequently avoiding the item in large quantities may go a long way in helping you feel better.
Another recognized cause of stomach bloating after eating is Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). IBS is a gastrointestinal tract problem that manifests itself through stomach pain, bloating, gas and even diarrhea. It is a difficult health issue to diagnose because the combination of symptoms varies and there is a tendency for people to dismiss much of the evidence as other milder digestive issues. Once diagnosed though it is treatable and with diet management it is possible to be symptom free. IBS is exacerbated by stress and emotional anxiety and so patients sometimes also try and manage their symptoms through meditation and deep-breathing exercises which are seen as stress-reducers.
Persistent stomach bloating from eating is a serious concern and while there may be a straight-forward explanation for it, it is advisable to talk to your doctor about the symptoms. Especially because, by ignoring it, you may end up dealing with complications such as breathing difficulties. Your doctor can help establish the degree of the problem and prescribe a treatment plan. This may involve diet modification, regular exercise and increased water consumption. Water is seen as a great help in aiding proper digestion and hence many alternative therapies also emphasize the importance of drinking eight glasses of water a day. Sometimes there may also be prescription medication.
Stomach bloating from eating is not usually indicative of a major illness and is more often an embarrassment and inconvenience. But it is good to know that it is treatable or at least manageable and so there is no reason to continue to deal with the problem.