You’re not alone. Bloating is one of the most common digestive symptoms I see in clinic and can range from mildly uncomfortable to significantly affecting confidence, clothing choices, energy levels, and quality of life.
Many people assume bloating is simply caused by eating the wrong foods or having too much gas. However, there can be several factors contributing to symptoms, including constipation, food intolerances, SIBO, gut microbiome imbalances, visceral hypersensitivity, and some of the processes commonly associated with IBS.
Identifying what may be contributing to your bloating is often the first step towards finding lasting relief.
What Is Bloating?
Bloating is often described as a feeling of fullness, pressure, or discomfort in the abdomen.
It’s important to understand that bloating and distension are not always the same thing. Bloating refers to how your abdomen feels, whereas distension is when your abdomen visibly expands.
Common Causes of Ongoing Bloating
- Constipation – is one of the most common causes of bloating. Slow transit allows stool and gas to build up within the bowel, increasing pressure and abdominal discomfort. Even daily bowel motions don’t always rule out constipation.
- SIBO – can contribute to bloating when bacteria ferment carbohydrates within the small intestine, producing gas in the wrong location.
- Gut microbiome imbalance -Changes in the gut microbiome can alter fermentation patterns, gas production, bowel habits, and digestive comfort.
- Visceral Hypersensitivity -some people produce normal amounts of gas but experience bloating because the digestive system becomes more sensitive to stretching and pressure within the gut.
- Stress and the Gut-Brain Connection– Stress can influence gut motility, digestive function, pain perception, and bowel habits, highlighting the close connection between the gut and nervous system.
- Food Intolerances – can contribute to bloating in some individuals. Foods such as onion, garlic, legumes, dairy, wheat, and foods high in FODMAPs may trigger symptoms by increasing fermentation and gas production within the gut.
When Should Bloating Be Investigated?
While bloating is common, persistent or worsening symptoms should not be ignored.
Speak with your healthcare provider if bloating is accompanied by:
• Unexplained weight loss
• Blood in the stool
• Persistent vomiting
• Severe abdominal pain
• Iron deficiency anaemia
• A family history of bowel cancer, coeliac disease, or inflammatory bowel disease
In some cases, bloating may be associated with an underlying medical condition that requires further investigation.
Why Identifying the Cause Matters
Bloating is often dismissed as a normal part of life, but persistent bloating usually has an underlying reason.
For some people, constipation is the main contributor. For others, food intolerances, SIBO, gut microbiome imbalances, visceral hypersensitivity, or a combination of factors may be involved.
This is one reason many people find themselves stuck in a cycle of trying different diets, probiotics, and supplements without long-term success.
In clinic, one of my goals is to help identify what may be contributing to symptoms and develop a personalised plan based on the individual rather than relying on guesswork.
If you’ve been struggling with ongoing bloating despite trying different diets, supplements, or probiotics, there may be an underlying reason your symptoms keep returning.