7 Telltale Signs Your Gas Or Bloating May Be A Serious Issue

Though unpleasant, gas and bloating are natural processes which all humans — as well as animals — must deal with at some point or another. Studies conducted across the US indicate that one out of every five adults reported feeling bloated at least once within the past week, often associated with distention (when your stomach appears “swollen”). Furthermore, on average each day an individual passes between 13-21 times of gas. “After eating, some degree of bloating may occur as various components digested can ferment into gas that makes your stomach appear distended,” according to Dr. Vivy Cusumano of UCLA Health who spoke to HuffPost about this matter. Diets rich in fiber or high in foods known to promote constipation like red meat or dairy may help alleviate symptoms associated with gas or bloating; however, when associated with other symptoms this should be cause for alarm. Cusumano further explained that even gas or bloating without other associated symptoms should be addressed as soon as possible. Below are seven telltale signs that may point towards gas or bloat being an ongoing condition: Constipation Or Bloody StoolsDoctors have long believed that stool samples reveal much about your digestive health, particularly your gut and GI issues. Even though it might sound distasteful, if you are suffering from frequent bloating and gas, inspect your toilet to identify any irregularities that could be contributing. Pay particular attention to size, color and shape of bowel movements along with how frequently they take place. Chelsea C, 32 years old talent acquisition partner from British Columbia was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis at 18 years old after years of experiencing gas, bloating and other GI-related symptoms such as gas, pain and other discomforts. “I always had stomach issues as a child; unfortunately they never could figure out the source.” “My diagnosis only became evident once I began passing blood in my stool,” explained Chelsea who wanted her last name kept confidential to discuss her medical condition. Cusumano noted that when bloating is combined with changes to stool form or blood, this can indicate conditions like IBS. Persistent DiarrheaAccording to Cusumano, diarrhea with bloating could be indicative of Irritable Bowel Syndrome or celiac disease – two autoimmune conditions which affect between 25 to 45 million U.S. residents annually and make it one of the most widespread digestive conditions. Nutritional Deficiencies Or AnemiaNourishment deficiencies or anemia can have detrimental effects on both physical and mental wellbeing, including your gut. Vitamin and nutritional deficiencies can wreak havoc on your mental and physical wellbeing, including your gut. As such, prolonged bloating and gas may indicate larger digestive health problems are at play. I found the frequent instances of gas and bloat to be quite puzzling: “How often it would occur was quite peculiar. As she describes living with ulcerative colitis, Chelsea experienced discomfort due to gas being stuck despite what they ate and gas’stuckness. “Gynecologic cancers may impact her GI tract due to how quickly they spread… Cancerous conditions often make the bowels become very slow moving, leading to nausea or the feeling of fullness even after only eating two or three bites,” explained Davidson. Davidson noted that cancerous tumors of the gynecology can result in the accumulation of fluid within the abdomen known as ascites which could be misinterpreted for bloating and distention symptoms. Cramping Or Abdominal PainStomach gas pains are part of digestion; however, extreme cramping or abdominal pain could indicate not only digestive dysfunction but other potential medical concerns, including kidney stones, urinary tract infections, appendicitis or appendixitis. Ulcerative colitis pain typically appears at the bottom corners of Chelsea’s intestine and her most frequent site of discomfort, where it feels as if someone were repeatedly stabbing with a blade, she explained. Moving around or passing gas generally helps ease symptoms; but at times the discomfort can become crippling. “Abdominal pain accompanied by bloody stool or changes to bowel movement patterns may be an early indicator of colorectal cancer – an alarming condition which has seen significant increases among young adults over recent decades. Nausea or VomitingAccording to experts, when bloating or gas is coupled with frequent episodes of nausea and vomiting, there may be an underlying health condition to investigate further. Of course, there could also be another explanation behind such symptoms: such as stress. Example 1: Overuse of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like over-the-counter ibuprofen or aspirin can result in digestive discomfort. Also, each year stomach bugs that cause diarrhea like norovirus spread throughout the country, with incidence rates continuing to soar. Cusumano recommends following these strategies to maintain overall gut health: eating a high-fiber diet (though those suffering from certain GI disorders may need specialized guidance); engaging in physical activities or adding movement into daily life, eating smaller meals more frequently and staying hydrated. Natalia Gdovskaia/Getty Images If gas or bloating persist, it’s essential that you visit a doctor as soon as possible. What Should Be Done When Bloating And Gas Impact Your Daily LifeBloating or gas should never interfere with daily tasks such as exercising, eating, sleeping and other essential daily functions such as taking walks outside. “Even without signs or symptoms that signal chronic medical conditions or red flags, those experiencing persistent bloating should seek medical advice if it affects daily activities,” Amaris stated. Support Free JournalismConsider supporting HuffPost starting at $2 to help ensure we deliver free, quality journalism that puts people first. Can’t afford it yet? Stay engaged by creating a free account while reading. Thank you again for being part of HuffPost. We sincerely appreciate all our supporters who make HuffPost great! Thank you again for past contributions made towards free journalism – they help shape a world filled with opportunity! Thank you so much for helping to ensure our journalism remains free for everyone. With 2024 coverage reaching critical mass, your help could go a long way towards our success! We cannot thank our readers enough. Are You Thinking about Becoming a HuffPost Contributor Regularly? Thank You for Contributing Your Past Contributions to HuffPost! HuffPost would like to extend our deepest gratitude for readers like yourself who make our journalism free for everyone. However, 2024 coverage can use additional support. Please consider supporting HuffPost once again by contributing today: Support HuffPost If you already contributed, click here: Already made your donation or already contributed: Done and done Log in now to remove these messages! An estimated 60 to 70 million Americans currently suffer from some kind of digestive condition, underscoring its significance and emphasizing why early intervention with medical attention should always be sought if any signs exist of discomfort are noticed in your own body. As Chelsea said: if anything seems off or symptoms emerge that worry you, write them down so you know when or if they occur and advocate for yourself by sharing this with a medical provider for diagnosis.”