Why do I always feel bloated?

Question

Hi doctor,

I am a 20-year-old female. I am taking a vegetarian diet and I am worried about my problem. I feel bloated constantly. I pass large stools and I eat gluten occasionally. I feel bloated after waking up and after falling asleep. What is the cause? I have been dealing with this problem for a year. I was taking a vegan diet and I stopped it. After that, I started taking a vegetarian diet. I am lactose intolerant and I eat gluten occasionally.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

You need to understand two things. The first one is the perception of gas and bloating which means there is an absence of visible distension of the abdomen. The other one is the pathological gas accumulation in the small bowel secondary to excess gas production and slow movements of the bowel. This causes damping of normal gases within the bowel. As you are not overweight and diabetic, then the possible cause in you is excessive production of gas within the bowel. The cause for excessive production of gas seems to be due to vegetable intake. Please note the vegetables taken by you except the vegetables containing undigestible carbohydrates. These remain in the bowel unless they are fermented by the bacteria within the bowel producing hydrogen gas. This causes bloating and gaseous symptoms. Please note the vegetables taken by you and avoid taking vegetables producing excessive gas. You must avoid taking lactose and lactose-based diets.