Possible causes of bloating include:
The most common causes of chronic stomach bloating are irregular
digestive processes which produce gases at a much higher rate than
Pre-menstrual Tension (PMT) - The symptoms tend to disappear or
greatly improve once the bleeding actually starts.
Too much alcohol
Salt, or processed foods in your diet - even a small amount of excess
sodium causes bloating.
Too little protein in diet.
Doctors believe that bloating is usually the result of an intestinal
disorder, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The cause of IBS is
unknown, but may involve abnormal movements and contractions of
intestinal muscles and increased pain sensitivity in the intestine.
These disorders may give a sensation of bloating because of increased
sensitivity to gas.
Carbonated Drinks- Fizzy drinks, including soda pop and spritzers,
increase bloating because the carbon dioxide trapped in the bubbles
creates gas, which slows down stomach emptying.
Water intake: Many women believe that drinking too much water will
give them puffy abs, but just the opposite is true. Even though we
associate water with being bloated, drinking more water can help to
flush sodium out of the body, and that reduces the bloat.
Lactose Intolerance- sometimes your stomach is unable to digest the
lactose--or milk sugar--in dairy foods leading to bloating.
Food allergies can cause your stomach to puff out, too. But this is a
reaction of the immune system involving the whole body, and usually
hives and runny nose are the more prominent symptoms.
Any disease that causes intestinal inflammation or obstruction, such
as Crohn's disease or colon cancer, may also cause abdominal bloating.
In addition, people who have had many operations, adhesions (scar
tissue), or internal hernias may experience bloating or pain.
Finally, eating a lot of fatty food can delay stomach emptying and
cause bloating and discomfort.