How often do you hear yourself or friends complain about bloating? We often just say we’re bloated when we feel full, but for many women, the problem relates to a chronic underlying condition. If you feel bloated often, you may have a condition like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which affects up to 24 percent of women. Linda Lee, M.D., explains common causes of bloating and what you can do to prevent this uncomfortable condition.
Bloating is a condition where your belly feels full and tight, often due to gas. “A lot of people tell me they’re bloated simply because their belly sticks out and they don’t like how it looks,
”says Lee. She says as women age, it’s natural for them to develop abdominal wall laxity, or looseness, especially those who have had children.
“When our guts are full of food or stool, you can see it more easily than when you may have had a toned abdomen,” Lee says. She says the difference between this and bloating is important when it comes to treatment.
