Most people have had a little belly bloat, typically from eating or drinking something too quickly. Many people also get bloated when they eat foods they cannot digest very well or contain ingredients that cause gas. This benign bloating does not lead to any serious health issues and goes away on its own. However, bloating can be accompanied by serious symptoms that tell you the issue is not so simple. Here are some ways you can know whether you should be concerned about your bloating.
You are Tired, Belated, and Have Brittle Nails
Brittle nails, bloat and fatigue happening at the same time can indicate that your body is struggling to absorb some nutrients. Sometimes gut issues cause the malabsorption of these nutrients, thereby leading to these symptoms.
A common disease associated with bloating fatigue is Celiac disease, which is an autoimmune disease also associated with iron deficiency. Any bloating that accompanies a nutritional deficiency can be a serious health issue that needs to be investigated immediately.
Bloating With No Other Symptoms
Bloating without symptoms could be an indication of some types of cancer. Some cancerous tumours cause the accumulation of fluid in the body leading to bloating. Ovarian cancer is one example where bloating is typically its only symptom until the person begins experiencing pain.
You Have Different Weight Issues
Sometimes your bloating is associated with an inability to lose weight. The bacteria in your gut consume the fibre found in the gut and use it as an energy source to multiply. Enough “good” bacteria meals lower levels of “bad” bacteria that cause inflammation, bloating, pain, obesity, and chronic diseases.
Studies have also found a link between the gut biome and weight loss. Not having the right biome can make it harder to lose weight, which is accompanied by bloating. Due to the combined complications of bloating and the inability to lose weight, you should get checked out if you have these symptoms. If you have these symptoms, there are resources that show gut bacteria are linked to bloating, tiredness, and weight loss as well as how to help with bloating and fatigue and stop them from impacting your quality of life.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, some people lose weight rapidly even when they are bloated. Losing more than 5% of your weight in less than 6 months without any effort is cause for concern, and you should see a doctor about it.
Constant Joint Pain
Chronic joint pain coupled with bloating could be an indication of ulcerative colitis. This inflammatory bowel condition leads to sores and ulcers in the lining of the stomach and intestines. This disease is thought to be caused by the increase in the amounts of bacteria in the gut, which damage the gut wall lining leading to sores and ulcers.
Joint pain can happen anywhere and is also associated with inflammation.
Conclusion
While bloating can seem harmless on its own, it is a serious cause of concern if coupled with other symptoms. See a doctor if you have any of the symptoms above, as they could be a sign of something much more serious than a little bloat.