Why Am I So Bloated?
This quiz was independently created by wikiHow and sponsored by ColonBroom.Bloating. It’s uncomfortable, it’s annoying, and sometimes, it’s painful—but what causes that full, tense feeling in your stomach? There are actually a few common culprits that bring on gas pain and bloating. And luckily, they’re pretty easy to identify.
Answer a few quick questions below, and we’ll help you determine the cause of your bloating. Plus, we’ll give you effective, expert-backed tips for preventing bloating in the future. Click “Start Quiz” now.
Questions Overview
- Yes, for weeks I’ve been eating less healthily and generally consuming more food.
- A little. In the past couple of days, my diet might’ve included more carbs, processed foods, beans, and fizzy drinks.
- I’m not sure—I’ve been feeling stressed for the past couple of weeks, and that sometimes affects my diet.
- No, my diet hasn’t changed.
- Yes, I’m working out less than I have in the past.
- No, but for what it’s worth, I probably won’t work out today—my gas pain is too uncomfortable.
- A little. I’ve been feeling overwhelmed, and I think my relationship with exercise has changed as a result (i.e., I’ve either been exercising much more, or much less).
- No, my exercise routine hasn’t changed.
- Maybe. I wouldn’t say that my life’s been smooth sailing recently, but I’m not sure I’ve experienced “major” life changes.
- Yes, definitely. And it has negatively affected my mood and mental health.
- No.
- Neutral or unsure.
- It’s been occurring on and off for a few weeks or months.
- It’s noticeably increased in the last couple of days.
- Now that I’m looking back, my bloating began around the same time that I experienced a big lifestyle or mood change.
- I think I’ve been experiencing it regularly for most of my life.
- Yes, I think I’ve noticed my face take on a rounder shape. I might’ve gained weight.
- No, nothing besides the stomach bloating and discomfort.
- Yes, I haven’t been sleeping as well (or, I might be experiencing headaches).
- Neutral or unsure.
- Strongly agree
- Agree
- Disagree
- Strongly disagree
- Strongly agree
- Agree
- Disagree
- Strongly disagree
- Strongly agree
- Agree
- Disagree
- Strongly disagree
- Strongly agree
- Agree
- Disagree
- Strongly disagree
- Strongly agree
- Agree
- Disagree
- Strongly disagree
- Strongly agree
- Agree
- Disagree
- Strongly disagree
- Strongly agree
- Agree
- Disagree
- Strongly disagree
- Strongly agree
- Agree
- Disagree
- Strongly disagree
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These results are by no means a substitute for a medical opinion or for your own personal observations. That said, if this result feels accurate to you and you\u2019d like to reduce your bloating symptoms, then we\u2019ve got you covered! Check out these expert-backed tips below:
- Increase your water intake.<\/a> Water helps your digestive system work more effectively and helps you feel full, reducing how many calories you\u2019re likely to eat, which leads to less bloating, and more weight loss.<\/li>
- Prioritize your sleep.<\/a> Having a healthy, consistent sleep cycle is a great way to keep your body running smoothly, which also leads to weight loss and a healthier digestive system.<\/li>
- Eat more fiber.<\/a> When it comes to reducing weight and bloating, consuming fiber is the best thing you can do! By changing your diet to include more whole grains, leafy greens, and veggies, you can increase your fiber intake. Or\u2026<\/li>
- Try ColonBroom.<\/a> If you want to increase your fiber with an easy daily supplement instead, ColonBroom is a great place to start. Their supplement uses psyllium husk powder, which is like a super fiber\u2014it helps you manage your appetite, feel satiated for longer, reduce cravings to make weight loss easier, improve your gut health, and keep things running smoothly with just a glass a day.<\/li><\/ul>","edit_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Lose-Weight-Without-Exercising"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Lose-Weight"}],"link_data":[{"title":"How to Lose Weight Without Exercising","id":1465266,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Lose-Weight-Without-Exercising","image":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/e0\/Maintain-a-Healthy-Weight-Step-16.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Maintain-a-Healthy-Weight-Step-16.jpg","alt":"How to Lose Weight Without Exercising"},{"title":"How to Lose Weight","id":5907,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Lose-Weight","image":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/5c\/Be-Funny-Without-Telling-Jokes-Step-12.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Be-Funny-Without-Telling-Jokes-Step-12.jpg","alt":"How to Lose Weight"}],"minimum":0},{"text":"You\u2019re constipated or you\u2019ve eaten gas-inducing foods!","meaning":"From your responses, it seems like you might\u2019ve recently consumed foods that didn\u2019t quite agree with you! It sounds like your diet has changed slightly in the past week, and you\u2019re experiencing bloating, pain, and maybe even a little constipation as a result. The good news is that these problems are temporary, and they will almost certainly pass in time. In a few days or weeks, there\u2019s a good chance that things will improve naturally\u2014especially if you return to your normal diet.
But how can you avoid bloating in the future? And how can you avoid pesky foods that derail your digestive system? We\u2019ve got you covered. Check out this list of expert-backed guides for everything you need to know.- Eat more fiber (gradually).<\/a> Large amounts of fibrous foods (like beans) in short bursts lead to gas and bloating. But if you increase your fiber over time, the opposite occurs\u2014your digestive system will function smoothly, your metabolism will increase, and bloating will be less frequent.<\/li>
- Detox your digestive system with ColonBroom.<\/a> To increase your fiber (and experience all the benefits) without having to change your whole diet, try a drinkable fiber supplement, like ColonBroom. ColonBroom sweeps your digestive system, reducing pesky bloat symptoms, while strengthening your gut (and overall health) in the long term.<\/li>
- Replace soda with water.<\/a> Carbonated drinks cause bloating, because your stomach fills with excess gas that\u2019s inside your bubbly beverage. Avoid these to kick the bloating pain, and you\u2019ll thank yourself!<\/li><\/ul>","edit_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Relieve-Constipation-Quickly-and-Naturally"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Reduce-Bloating-and-Gas"}],"link_data":[{"title":"How to Get Rid of Constipation Fast & Prevent It","id":7359,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Relieve-Constipation-Quickly-and-Naturally","image":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/8b\/Relieve-Constipation-Quickly-and-Naturally-Step-18-Version-4.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Relieve-Constipation-Quickly-and-Naturally-Step-18-Version-4.jpg","alt":"How to Get Rid of Constipation Fast & Prevent It"},{"title":"How to Reduce Bloating and Gas","id":587300,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Reduce-Bloating-and-Gas","image":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/63\/Reduce-Bloating-and-Gas-Step-15.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Reduce-Bloating-and-Gas-Step-15.jpg","alt":"How to Reduce Bloating and Gas"}],"minimum":0},{"text":"You might be feeling stressed.","meaning":"Looking at your responses, it seems like you might be experiencing feelings of stress, tension, or anxiety\u2014and that\u2019s affecting your digestive system. Your digestive system is actually closely linked to your emotions and mental health. Stress can negatively impact your gut, leading to gas, constipation, and, you guessed it, bloating.
But don\u2019t worry! There are actually so many effective, expert-backed strategies for reducing your bloating symptoms (and reducing stress, too). With everything on your plate, the last thing you should have to do now is research the best tips for reducing stress-related bloat, so we included comprehensive guides and tips for you:
For your stress symptoms, check out these guides: - Detox your digestive system with ColonBroom.<\/a> To increase your fiber (and experience all the benefits) without having to change your whole diet, try a drinkable fiber supplement, like ColonBroom. ColonBroom sweeps your digestive system, reducing pesky bloat symptoms, while strengthening your gut (and overall health) in the long term.<\/li>
- Prioritize your sleep.<\/a> Having a healthy, consistent sleep cycle is a great way to keep your body running smoothly, which also leads to weight loss and a healthier digestive system.<\/li>
![\"Which](\"\/images\/thumb\/6\/6f\/Which-diet-is-right-for-me-image.png\/-crop-375-300-375px-Which-diet-is-right-for-me-image.png\")
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<\/picture>","alt":"Aphantasia Test: How Strong Is Your Mind's Eye?"},{"title":"Why Can't I Sleep Quiz","id":13284563,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Why-Can%27t-I-Sleep-Quiz","image":"![\"Why](\"\/images\/thumb\/4\/48\/Sleep-quiz.png\/-crop-375-300-375px-Sleep-quiz.png.webp\"\/)
<\/picture>","alt":"Why Can't I Sleep Quiz"}],"number":1},{"text":"My mental health.","result":"Amazing! These quizzes will help you discover more about your mental health:","next_quizzes":[{"title":"Social Anxiety Test","id":13350370,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Social-Anxiety-Test","image":"![\"Social](\"\/images\/thumb\/e\/e9\/Social-anxiety2.png\/-crop-375-300-375px-Social-anxiety2.png.webp\"\/)
<\/picture>","alt":"Social Anxiety Test"},{"title":"What's Your Mindset Quiz","id":13699974,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Whats-Your-Mindset","image":"![\"Whats](\"\/images\/thumb\/1\/17\/Whats-your-mindset-image.png\/-crop-375-300-375px-Whats-your-mindset-image.png.webp\"\/)
<\/picture>","alt":"What's Your Mindset Quiz"},{"title":"Depression Test","id":13624617,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Depression-Test","image":"![\"Depression](\"\/images\/thumb\/b\/b3\/Depression-Test.png\/-crop-375-300-375px-Depression-Test.png.webp\"\/)
<\/picture>","alt":"Depression Test"}],"number":2}]}" class="quiz_questionnaire_data"/>
Bloating: Causes, Solutions, & Signs It’s Serious
Bloating: it’s uncomfortable, it’s frustrating, and it’s also very common. But what causes bloating? And how do you know when you need a doctor’s intervention?
Bloating is a feeling of tightness, fullness, or pressure in your abdomen. Sometimes, bloating also involves a visibly extended stomach. There are so many things that can cause bloating, and most of them are totally normal parts of everyday life. Specifically, bloating is often caused by:
Gas. Gas and flatulence can come on for tons of different reasons. You might have a slight food intolerance, you might've eaten your food too quickly, or you might've chowed down on a snack that can create gas. Some of these foods include beans, lentils, veggies, dairy products or carbonated beverages.
Constipation. When there's a backup in your digestive system, that can create gas, pressure, and a feeling of fullness. Again, this can lead to a bloated feeling.
Health disorders, like IBS or GERD. Chronic digestive disorders can cause repeated bloating, so if you suffer from something like irritable bowel syndrome or gastroesophageal reflux disease, you might find that disruptions in your digestive system (like bloating) are normal. Luckily, if you speak to your doctor, you'll find that there are plenty of treatment options that can help you manage your symptoms.
Menstrual cycles. Bloating is a common symptom of periods, similar to cramps and cravings. During the menstrual cycle, estrogen levels are higher, which can lead a person's body to retain more water. And more water retention leads to bloating.
When should you see a doctor? Most bloating pains are no big deal, but sometimes bloating can be a sign of something more serious. Specifically, you should always get a doctor's opinion if you experience any of these symptoms:
- Blood in mucus or stool
- Chronic vomiting or constipation
- Fever
- Loss of appetite
- Significant changes in bowel movements
- Unexplained weight loss
- Any symptoms that are severely disrupting your life
Want to learn more?
For more information about bloating, gas, and gut health, check out these authoritative resources below:
Medical Disclaimer
Any medically related content, whether User Content or otherwise found on the Service, is not intended to be medical advice or instructions for medical diagnosis or treatment, and no physician-patient or psychotherapist-patient relationship is, or is intended to be, created.
