It’s hard to feel like yourself when you’re bloated. Being bloated causes us to feel uncomfortable in our own skin. It can also make us self-conscious about the way we look. In many cases, the problem is accompanied by gas and abdominal discomfort. You don’t have to accept what you’re experiencing as being “normal” just because you’ve been told by medical professionals that it isn’t serious. At Functional and Metabolic Medicine of Colorado, we understand the importance of finding out why you’re bloated. A bloated appearance is often a reaction to something being “off balance” in your body. As part of our integrated, whole-body approach to care, we give every symptom the attention it deserves as a piece of your health story.

Signs and Symptoms

What does being bloated feel like? First, it’s different from just feeling “full.” It is a state of discomfort that can also change the way we look. Here’s what you might experience:

  • Feelings of fullness and tightness in the abdomen.
  • A distended appearance of the stomach.
  • Gas.
  • Abdominal discomfort.
  • Visible swelling.
  • Abdominal rumblings.
  • Frequent burping.
  • Clothes feeling tight and restricting.

While the problem tends to be most noticeable in the abdominal area, the events happening in your gastrointestinal system can cause bloating symptoms throughout your body. For instance, you may notice that your face appears puffy. It’s also common for people to have bloated hands and feet. You may be noticing that rings you wear all the time are suddenly too tight.

Should You See a Doctor If You’re Bloated?

It’s always smart to see a doctor if you’re experiencing bloating. While being bloated occasionally doesn’t necessarily mean you should be alarmed, being chronically bloated can be a sign that something is off balance within your body. In many cases, some easy lifestyle and dietary changes can be made to prevent the problem. A conversation regarding hormone levels may also be appropriate.

What Causes You to Become Bloated?

Being bloated is the result of your stomach filling with air. There are many different reasons why that might happen. Becoming bloated can sometimes just be a matter of eating a “gassy” food. Even very healthy foods can induce bloating. For instance, foods like beans, cabbage, broccoli, artichokes and pears are all known to be “gassy” foods that can make you bloated. However, the feeling is only temporary. Certain medications can also make you bloated.

Bloating is sometimes caused by simply swallowing too much air. This can happen when you’re chewing gum, smoking or eating too quickly. Many people become bloated when they are constipated. Not having enough fiber in your diet can cause bloating if you experience constipation. Bloating is relatively common during menstruation due to the fact that shifts in progesterone and estrogen levels cause the body to retain more water. Being bloated is also linked with certain illnesses and autoimmune disorders. Infections, inflammation, lactose intolerance, small-bowel bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and Crohn’s disease are some of the common conditions that often leave people feeling bloated.

Risk Factors

The simple fact is that everyone feels bloated at one point or another. However, the problem shouldn’t be ignored if you feel bloated most of the time. Some factors that can make you more likely to become bloated include having a digestive disorder, having an autoimmune disorder tied to the digestive system, smoking and eating a low-fiber diet.

Complications

Allowing bloating to go untreated can cause you to feel uncomfortable and self-conscious. You may also find it hard to eat a healthy, complete diet that includes the appropriate amount of water each day when you already feel “full.” It’s also possible that you could be ignoring a serious health issue by not seeking the advice of a medical professional if you’re always bloated..

Talk to a Functional Care Doctor Near Denver, Colorado

Come see Dr. Sipay at Functional and Metabolic Medicine of Colorado in Littleton if you’re experiencing uncomfortable bloating. Dr. Sipay will listen to your concerns, go over your health history with you and help you to take the next step for getting in balance. Call (720) 791-2911 or email sipaymd@functionalmetabolicmedicine.com today!