Causes

• Fatty foods in large quantities
• Low protein in diet
• Carbonated drinks and alcoholic beverages
• Aerophagia- swallowing of air, common in nervous patient
• Stress and anxiety
• Gastrointestinal infection and obstruction
• Irritable bowel syndrome- presents with abdominal pain/cramps and changes in bowel function
• Lactose intolerance and Celiac disease- intestine not able to digest and absorb certain foods
• Oral contraceptives
• Gall bladder stone
• Colon cancer, rarely

Reduce bloating by:

• Avoiding or reducing the amount of fatty foods
• Avoid gas producing items like:
• Baked beans
• Cabbage
• Cauliflower
• Carbonated drinks
• Chewing gums
• Hard candy
• Fruits such as apple, peaches, and pears

 Treatment

• Antacids
• Certain herbs including mint extracts, peppermint herbal tea, and camphor in small doses
• Avoid antibiotics, use probiotics like lactobacillus acidophilus