7 Signs Your Gas Or Bloating Is A Bigger Issue

Don't ignore these red flags. They could mean something deeper is going on.

Though unpleasant, gas and bloating are simply biological functions that every person — and animal — has to deal with at times. In fact, a large study found that 1 in 5 people in the United States reported feeling bloated at least once in the past week, often accompanied by distention (aka, when the stomach looks “swollen”). Not to mention, the average person passes gas between 13 to 21 times a day.

“It is normal after eating to have some degree of bloating, because as food is digested, certain components of food may ferment and produce gas, which can make the stomach appear distended,” Dr. Vivy Cusumano, a gastroenterologist at UCLA Health, told HuffPost.

This is especially true when eating a diet rich in fiber and when eating large amounts of constipation-causing foods such as red meat and dairy products.

However, Cusumano explained that when gas or bloating is associated with other symptoms, it may be cause for concern. Below are seven signs that your gas or bloating may be a larger issue.

Constipation Or Bloody Stools