Gas & Bloating After Eating Food

Gas and bloating after eating can cause much discomfort. By understanding the causes and making some simple diet changes, you can avoid this painful and sometimes embarrassing condition.

Identification

• When eating and doing other activities, air enters into the digestive system and can eventually cause a feeling of bloating. At some point the body needs to expel the air and does so by burping or passing gas.

Causes

• Eating too quickly or eating high-fiber foods such as fruits and vegetables can cause gas and bloating. Other foods such as beans, lettuce, cabbage, gum and hard candy can also cause gas build-up.

Prevention

• Avoiding foods that are known triggers for you, not using a straw and chewing slowly can all prevent gas and bloating with meals. Also, adjusting badly fitting dentures can help, as these have been shown to let more air in.

Treatment

• Over-the-counter medications such as Beano and activated charcoal might cause some relief but do not always work.

Considerations

• See a doctor if gas interferes with your life or does not improve, or if it is accompanied by bleeding, nausea, weight loss or fever.