Feeling uncomfortably full? Everyone gets bloated from time to time. It can be completely normal and usually isn't a sign of an underlying health problem. However, dealing with bloating can be unpleasant and downright painful.
You may do whatever you can to feel relief — unbutton your pants, go for a jog, or sit on the toilet. Or maybe you want to know what caused your bloating so you can avoid it in the future. Here's what to know about why it happens and how to get rid of bloating, according experts.
Bloating is a sensation of fullness or tightness in the abdomen, which is often due to excess gas or fluid in the gastrointestinal tract, Dr. Anju Malieckal, a board-certified gastroenterologist at NYU Langone Hospital—Brooklyn, tells TODAY.com.
The excess gas or fluid can cause the belly to distend or "balloon out" beyond its normal size, she adds. Bloating is a common condition that most people will experience in their lifetime. It's often temporary and resolves on its own, but bloating can persist or reoccur in some people.
Bloating can be caused or worsened by various behaviors, lifestyle factors and medical conditions. These include: A common cause of bloating is too much gas in the stomach or intestines. Gas is a natural byproduct of digestion, , but too much of it can be a problem.
Excess gas in the digestive tract is often caused by swallowing too much air, says Malieckal. Everyone swallows some air when they eat or drink. The air typically escapes, through burping,.
