Causes of Chronic Abdominal Bloating and Gas - Diet Tips and Medical Treatment

Causes and Symptoms of Gassy Belly Inflation

Bloating is a common digestive complaint that can make your stomach expand like a balloon. While occasional bloating after meals is normal, chronic abdominal inflation and gas can indicate an underlying health issue.

What Causes a Gassy, Bloated Belly?

There are several possible causes of belly bloating and gas:

• Overeating - Consuming large meals overfills the stomach and intestines, causing expansion.
• Swallowed air - Gulping food or drink introduces excess air that gets trapped.
• Constipation - Stool backed up in the colon distends the abdomen.
• Food intolerance - Poor digestion of nutrients like lactose, fructose, etc. creates gas.
• Imbalanced gut bacteria - Excessive fermentation from dysbiosis produces gas.
• Medical conditions - Health issues like IBS, SIBO, celiac disease, etc. disrupt normal GI function.

Signs and Symptoms of Belly Inflation

Common signs of a gassy, bloated stomach include:

• Distended, swollen abdomen
• Visible stomach distension with a food baby bump
• Abdominal cramps and pains
• Excessive burping or belching
• Passing a lot of gas or flatulence
• Stomach making loud gurgling noises
• Feeling overfull, packed, or constipated

Bloating may be accompanied by lack of appetite, nausea, heartburn, reflux, and difficulty taking deep breaths if severe.

Foods That Can Cause Belly Inflation and Gas

Many different foods can contribute to a gassy, bloated stomach. Some of the top gas-producing foods include:

Beans and Legumes

All types of beans, including black beans, kidney beans, soybeans, and lentils are notorious for causing gas and bloating. They contain complex sugars called oligosaccharides that humans cannot fully digest, so gut bacteria ferment them creating gas.

Cruciferous Vegetables

Vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels sprouts and kale contain a carbohydrate called raffinose that also gets fermented in the colon. Their high fiber content can also trap gas.

Onions and Garlic

These aromatic veggies contain the sugar fructans, which many people do not absorb well. They travel to the colon where bacteria break them down and release gas as a byproduct.

Whole Grains

The bran layers of fibrous whole grains like wheat, oats, brown rice, and quinoa contain oligosaccharides that can be difficult to digest fully. This results in abdominal inflation.

Fried Foods

Foods cooked in oil, like french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken, tend to sit heavy in the stomach. The high fat content slows digestion, allowing more time for fermentation and gas to build up.

Carbonated Beverages

Fizzy drinks like soda, sparkling water, beer, and champagne contain dissolved carbon dioxide that gets released as belches or flatulence. The bubbles expand the stomach.

Milk and Dairy Products

Lactose, the natural sugar in milk and dairy foods, is not tolerated well by up to 75% of adults worldwide due to lactase deficiency. The undigested lactose gets fermented by gut bacteria.

Artificial Sweeteners

Sugar substitutes like xylitol, sorbitol, and maltitol can have laxative effects in large doses, causing loose stools and bloating discomfort.

Tips to Reduce Gassy Belly Inflation

You can minimize abdominal bloating and gas with the following helpful tips:

Avoid Carbonated Drinks

Cut back on fizzy beverages to reduce swallowing excess air that gets trapped in the digestive tract. Drink water to hydrate instead.

Slow Down When Eating

Gulping down food introduces air into the stomach. Eat slower and chew thoroughly to decrease swallowed air during meals.

Limit High FODMAP Foods

Follow a low FODMAP diet to avoid foods high in fermentable carbs that can trigger gas and bloating issues.

Take Digestive Enzyme Supplements

Over-the-counter enzyme supplements can help improve breakdown of carbohydrates, fats, and dairy to reduce colonic fermentation.

Manage Constipation

Stay hydrated, exercise, and eat fiber to keep stools soft so bowel movements stay regular and prevent gas buildup.

Use Probiotics

Taking probiotic supplements can help rebalance gut bacteria populations and decrease excessive fermentation and gas production.

Limit Sugar Alcohols

Check ingredient labels and limit foods sweetened with xylitol, sorbitol, mannitol, and maltitol to avoid digestive issues.

Get More Exercise

Physical activity can stimulate the muscles of the intestines to help gas pass more easily and relieve abdominal inflation.

Medical Treatment for Chronic Belly Bloating

If lifestyle changes do not resolve chronic abdominal bloating, see a doctor to explore possible medical treatments like:

Prescription Medications

Drugs that target gas production, stomach emptying, stool consistency, and intestinal contractions may be prescribed for stubborn bloating.

Probiotic Supplements

Specific probiotic strains proven to reduce bloating more effectively may be recommended in higher therapeutic dosages.

Diagnostic Testing

Tests to identify infections, food allergies or intolerances, IBS, SIBO, and other GI disorders can pinpoint causes of bloating.

Digestive Enzyme Therapy

Customized enzyme supplements matched to your specific insufficient digestive enzymes may be advised.

Food Elimination Diets

Strict elimination diets removing trigger foods, followed by controlled reintroduction can identify problematic foods causing inflammation and bloating.

When to See a Doctor

Consult a physician promptly if you experience:

• Frequent or severe abdominal pain
• Bloating that does not resolve within 24 hours
• Unexplained weight loss
• Blood in stool
• Persistent vomiting or diarrhea
• Fever or chills

These can indicate a serious underlying condition requiring medical evaluation. Do not attempt to self-diagnose or self-treat chronic abdominal bloating.

Can Belly Inflation Be Dangerous?

Intense gas and belly expansion is usually harmless, but rarely it can potentially become dangerous if:

It Compresses Vital Organs

Extreme bloating causes enough abdominal pressure and swelling to impair function of organs like the diaphragm, lungs, and heart. This can restrict breathing.

It Twists or Obstructs the Intestines

In very severe cases, extreme gas buildup and abdominal distension can result in potentially life-threatening intestinal blockages or volvulus.

It Signals an Emergency Medical Condition

Sudden severe bloating along with extreme pain can indicate perforated ulcers, bowel obstructions, appendicitis and other dangerous GI conditions requiring urgent treatment.

When to Seek Emergency Care

Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:

• Sudden, severe pain and bloating
• Inability to pass gas
• High fever with bloating
• Vomiting bile or blood
• Black, tarry stools
• Chest pain or difficulty breathing
• Bloating that does not improve with burping/passing gas

These red flag symptoms can reflect potential bowel perforations, sepsis, or other medical emergencies requiring hospitalization. Dont hesitate to call 911 or go to an emergency room if you develop any of these signs.

When Abdominal Bloating Should Improve

In most otherwise healthy people, bloating episodes should:

• Last no more than 24 hours
• Cause only mild discomfort
• Resolve with passing gas or a bowel movement
• Happen no more than a few times per month

Bloating that is more frequent, severe, or long-lasting requires medical evaluation to determine the underlying cause and appropriate treatment options.

Key Takeaways

Occasional minor stomach bloating after meals is common and typically benign. But chronic, frequent abdominal inflation along with pain, cramps or other concerning symptoms should be evaluated by your doctor. Identifying and modifying dietary triggers, taking supplements, proper medication, and treatment of underlying medical conditions can help manage problematic gas and belly bloating.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.