Feeling bloated? You're not alone. Abdominal bloating and gas are among the most common digestive complaints that doctors hear from patients.

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Belly bloating bothers some people largely because of how it looks. They may think a protruding tummy makes them look "pregnant." Some are frustrated when that swollen stomach sticks around even after weight loss. They hate having to unbutton their pants to make room for bloating.

But for some people, it's less about looks and more about discomfort. Not everyone experiences tummy bloating in the same way and symptoms can vary. Often, patients also describe belching or abdominal distension as well as symptoms of acid reflux, says Dr. Charlotte Smith, an urgent care physician at Penn Medicine in Philadelphia.

Many people also experience heartburn, constipation or abdominal pain. Stomach bloating may persist hours after a meal. Food allergies, lactose intolerance and other digestive disorders could be bloating culprits.

"Don't underestimate the psychological impact on bloating," Smith says. "I have seen many patients in the past several months, in particular, who have significant bloating and GI upset due to stress and anxiety alone."

If you're ready to get rid of abdominal bloating, here's what you should know.

What Is Stomach Bloating?

The terms bloating and abdominal distension are often used interchangeably. Technically, bloating is a temporary feeling of fullness, usually due to intestinal gas while abdominal distension refers to a visible, measurable increase in the stomach's size. Passing gas, belching or having a bowel movement may or may not provide relief.

Quite simply, you know it when you have stomach bloating. To find out why, you and your doctor or dietitian need to do some detective work.

What Causes Tummy-Bloating Symptoms?

Dr. Hardeep Singh, a gastroenterologist with St. Joseph Hospital in Orange, California, says bloating can develop from several causes. Dietary problems are the most common, Singh says, with intolerance of certain food products leading the way. "Typical intolerances include dairy or gluten, but people can be intolerant to almost anything," he says.

Beyond specific food triggers, swallowing air from eating too fast, chewing gum or using a straw is among the most common nutrition-related causes of bloating, says Cassie Vanderwall, a registered dietitian in the department of clinical nutrition at UW Health in Wisconsin.

Stomach bloating actually exacerbates a normal function of the stomach – expansion. Your stomach muscle is about the size of a fist at rest, but its muscular walls are designed to expand quite a bit to accommodate large amounts of food. Until the stomach completes its work of churning and breaking down food with digestive enzymes, it's natural to feel temporarily full after a substantial lunch or supper. Therefore, one of the first steps in relieving bloating is to consume smaller portions that don't force the stomach to expand so much all at once.

Farting and belching are also closely related to bloating. Belching or burping is caused by swallowed air that collects in the stomach. Passing rectal gas, or flatulence, is usually a combination of swallowed air and gas caused by bacteria in your colon forming around undigested carbohydrates.

Constipation can also cause bloating. If you're bothered by a rock-solid stomach with abdominal pain that worsens through the day – and it's relieved by pooping – constipation is the likely cause. With constipation, normal intestinal gas gets trapped behind slow-moving poop and builds up.

Of course, a belly that isn't perfectly flat can be perfectly normal. Sometimes, patients embarking on weight-management programs who don't develop the six-pack abs they've been striving for may complain of bloating, when that's not really an issue, Vanderwall notes.

Singh says other more serious potential causes of belly bloating include:

Tumors in the stomach or intestine. Cancers of the stomach and intestine typically offer very few signs of their existence, but bloating related to constipation can be one.

Cancers of the stomach and intestine typically offer very few signs of their existence, but bloating related to constipation can be one. Intestinal blockage. Obstructions of the bowel can cause constipation, gas, bloating, cramping and abdominal pain.

Obstructions of the bowel can cause constipation, gas, bloating, cramping and abdominal pain. Inflammation of the stomach. Also called gastritis, inflammation of the lining of the stomach can have many sources, with bacterial infection related to ulcers being among the most common, the Mayo Clinic reports. Overuse of pain relievers and drinking too much alcohol can also cause gastritis.

Also called gastritis, inflammation of the lining of the stomach can have many sources, with bacterial infection related to ulcers being among the most common, the Mayo Clinic reports. Overuse of pain relievers and drinking too much alcohol can also cause gastritis. H. pylori infection. A common bacterium called Helicobacter pylori causes infection in the digestive tract and is related to peptic ulcers and stomach cancer. About 30% to 40% of people in the United States get an H. pylori infection sometime in their life, the National Institutes of Health reports.

A common bacterium called Helicobacter pylori causes infection in the digestive tract and is related to peptic ulcers and stomach cancer. About 30% to 40% of people in the United States get an H. pylori infection sometime in their life, the National Institutes of Health reports. Tumors in the ovaries. As with tumors in the stomach and intestine, tumors in the female reproductive organs can also cause symptoms of bloating. Bloating that doesn't resolve is one of the few noticeable symptoms of ovarian cancer.

As with tumors in the stomach and intestine, tumors in the female reproductive organs can also cause symptoms of bloating. Bloating that doesn't resolve is one of the few noticeable symptoms of ovarian cancer. Fluid in the abdomen. Also called ascites, a buildup of fluid in the abdomen may be related to liver disease, cancer and heart failure.

Which Foods Affect Bloating?

Some problem foods are more likely to cause bloating, while other foods help prevent it.

Carbohydrates. Certain carbs are more likely to lead to abdominal discomfort. These difficult-to-digest carbs are known as FODMAPs, and "these complex carbohydrates in our diets are associated with gas and bloating," Singh says. FODMAP stands for fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols. Basically, fermentable foods are easily broken down by bacteria in the bowel, leading to gas production. Saccharides refers to certain types of sugars and fiber.

Certain carbs are more likely to lead to abdominal discomfort. These difficult-to-digest carbs are known as FODMAPs, and "these complex carbohydrates in our diets are associated with gas and bloating," Singh says. FODMAP stands for fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols. Basically, fermentable foods are easily broken down by bacteria in the bowel, leading to gas production. Saccharides refers to certain types of sugars and fiber. Fiber. Soluble fiber from processed, high-fiber cereals and snack foods may increase bloating. Although a soluble fiber called inulin is considered healthful, it's also been found to increase bloating and gas. Onions, garlic, wheat, bananas and some other fruits and veggies contain inulin. However, insoluble fiber, which doesn't absorb water, may help relieve bloating. Bran, seeds and fruit and vegetable skins are prime sources of insoluble fiber, which speeds up poop's journey through the intestines and limits gas production.

Soluble fiber from processed, high-fiber cereals and snack foods may increase bloating. Although a soluble fiber called inulin is considered healthful, it's also been found to increase bloating and gas. Onions, garlic, wheat, bananas and some other fruits and veggies contain inulin. However, insoluble fiber, which doesn't absorb water, may help relieve bloating. Bran, seeds and fruit and vegetable skins are prime sources of insoluble fiber, which speeds up poop's journey through the intestines and limits gas production. Sugars. Simple carbohydrates such as lactose or fructose and sugar alcohols, such as mannitol and xylitol (used to sweeten sugar-free candy and chewing gum) can trigger bloating. This is particularly likely in people with irritable bowel syndrome, a common digestive disorder. Foods that contain high fructose levels include corn syrup, certain fruits – such as apples, mangoes, watermelon, cherries and pears – and many sodas, snacks and condiments. Non-bloating fruits include most types of berries, pineapples, oranges and grapes. Using pure maple syrup as a sweetener may also cause less bloating than other sweeteners.

Simple carbohydrates such as lactose or fructose and sugar alcohols, such as mannitol and xylitol (used to sweeten sugar-free candy and chewing gum) can trigger bloating. This is particularly likely in people with irritable bowel syndrome, a common digestive disorder. Foods that contain high fructose levels include corn syrup, certain fruits – such as apples, mangoes, watermelon, cherries and pears – and many sodas, snacks and condiments. Non-bloating fruits include most types of berries, pineapples, oranges and grapes. Using pure maple syrup as a sweetener may also cause less bloating than other sweeteners. Lactose. Lactose is a form of sugar found in dairy products, such as cow's milk, yogurt, soft cheeses, cream, ice cream, butter, custards and pudding. Some people are lactose intolerant, meaning their digestive systems struggle to break down lactose efficiently, and that can lead to not just bloating, but other digestive issues such as cramping and diarrhea. Low-lactose cheeses like cheddar, and almond or rice milk can be good non-bloating alternatives.

Lactose is a form of sugar found in dairy products, such as cow's milk, yogurt, soft cheeses, cream, ice cream, butter, custards and pudding. Some people are lactose intolerant, meaning their digestive systems struggle to break down lactose efficiently, and that can lead to not just bloating, but other digestive issues such as cramping and diarrhea. Low-lactose cheeses like cheddar, and almond or rice milk can be good non-bloating alternatives. Beans. It's no myth: kidney beans, black beans, baked beans and others really do promote gas and bloating. Beans are a FODMAP food because they contain oligosaccharides and a lot of fiber, both of which can be difficult to digest, leading to gas and bloating.

It's no myth: kidney beans, black beans, baked beans and others really do promote gas and bloating. Beans are a FODMAP food because they contain oligosaccharides and a lot of fiber, both of which can be difficult to digest, leading to gas and bloating. Fatty foods. Greasy, fatty foods, such as fried chicken, cheeseburgers, onion rings and french fries can make you feel bloated as they linger in your stomach. Indigestion results from eating high-fat foods (or just eating in excess overall), Vanderwall says.

Greasy, fatty foods, such as fried chicken, cheeseburgers, onion rings and french fries can make you feel bloated as they linger in your stomach. Indigestion results from eating high-fat foods (or just eating in excess overall), Vanderwall says. Excess salt or sodium. Foods high in salt – including many processed and convenience foods – can cause your body to retain fluid.

Foods high in salt – including many processed and convenience foods – can cause your body to retain fluid. Carbonated drinks. Drinking soda, particularly through a straw, can make you swallow excess air, and too much air in your intestines leads to bloating. However, by making you belch, fizzy drinks like seltzer might actually relieve pressure caused by gas buildup in the stomach.

Which Digestive Conditions Cause Bloating?

Irritable bowel syndrome. IBS is a chronic condition that affects the large intestine. Abdominal pain, cramping, bloating, gas, diarrhea and constipation are all symptoms of IBS. The International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders reports that IBS affects between 25 and 45 million people in the United States, and an estimated 10% to 15% of the population worldwide has IBS. Growing evidence supports the value of following a low-FODMAP diet to relieve irritable bowel syndrome. Consult a dietitian if you're considering adopting a low-FODMAP diet.

IBS is a chronic condition that affects the large intestine. Abdominal pain, cramping, bloating, gas, diarrhea and constipation are all symptoms of IBS. The International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders reports that IBS affects between 25 and 45 million people in the United States, and an estimated 10% to 15% of the population worldwide has IBS. Growing evidence supports the value of following a low-FODMAP diet to relieve irritable bowel syndrome. Consult a dietitian if you're considering adopting a low-FODMAP diet. Lactose intolerance. Lactose, the sugar that's mostly found in milk and dairy products, needs an enzyme called lactase to be digested. People whose bodies don't produce enough lactase experience a range of abdominal symptoms, including bloating, nausea and diarrhea, after consuming foods containing lactose. A simple, noninvasive test called the hydrogen breath test can confirm lactase deficiency.

Lactose, the sugar that's mostly found in milk and dairy products, needs an enzyme called lactase to be digested. People whose bodies don't produce enough lactase experience a range of abdominal symptoms, including bloating, nausea and diarrhea, after consuming foods containing lactose. A simple, noninvasive test called the hydrogen breath test can confirm lactase deficiency. Celiac disease. An intolerance to the protein gluten, called celiac disease, can cause noticeable bloating. Foods containing wheat, rye or barley, such as pasta, bread and flour, or beer, trigger an immune response affecting the small intestine in sensitive people. It can take up to a day or two for celiac-related belly bloating to deflate. Gas may be particularly foul-smelling. Fortunately, gluten-free foods have become much easier to find.

An intolerance to the protein gluten, called celiac disease, can cause noticeable bloating. Foods containing wheat, rye or barley, such as pasta, bread and flour, or beer, trigger an immune response affecting the small intestine in sensitive people. It can take up to a day or two for celiac-related belly bloating to deflate. Gas may be particularly foul-smelling. Fortunately, gluten-free foods have become much easier to find. Acid reflux. If your upper belly feels uncomfortably bloated, especially after eating, or you feel overly full or nauseated after a normal meal, acid reflux could be the cause. Burping excessively soon after eating is another sign of this type of indigestion. Acid reflux might be particularly bad after you eat a large, raw salad on an empty stomach, because of all the roughage. Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, is a possible cause of acid reflux.

How Do Body Type and Weight Relate to Bloating?

Extra belly fat can contribute to bloating, even in an otherwise thin person. Possible culprits for excess abdominal fat include cigarette smoking and chronic alcohol consumption. Smoking affects where fat is deposited in the body, tending to favor the stomach. Heavy drinking has a similar effect, particularly in men. A so-called "beer gut" can really occur with any type of alcohol used in excess.

In women, having an apple-shaped body type means fat is more concentrated around the midsection, as opposed to pear-shaped body types. Central obesity can be reduced with a healthy weight-loss plan. You'll lose body fat all over, however, rather than just in your seemingly bloated midsection.

How Can You Get Rid of Bloating?

You don't have to live with bloating, and there's plenty you can do to alleviate bothersome or persistent symptoms.