Why Am I Bloated?

Many people suffer from abdominal bloating, which feels like an inflated balloon in the abdomen. The International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders notes these common triggers for bloating: too much gas in the intestine; abnormally high amounts of bacteria in the small intestine; imbalance of microorganisms that live in the bowel, which could be the result of taking antibiotics; food intolerance; and increased curvature of the lumbar region of the spine, which decreases the capacity of the abdomen to hold gas. International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders, January 2019