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Bloating vs Fat: What’s the Difference?
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How to Reduce Bloating Safely
In the moment, moving around can help with bloating. Walking around increases the squeezing of the intestines, called peristalsis. This can move air through the digestive tract faster and help relieve symptoms. (6) Having a bowel movement is also often helpful for bloating.
There are other remedies for bloating that don’t involve any medications. Heating pads may sooth the stretched abdominal muscles to relieve pain. The stretch on your intestines from bloating can cause muscle spasms, and peppermint can reduce those spasms. (7) Because of this, people can find peppermint tea helpful for bloating.
Dietary changes such as minimizing lactose, cutting back on carbonated drinks, and avoiding trigger foods can help prevent bloating before it even starts!
If bloating is severe, it may require medications to manage. Some are over-the-counter, like simethicone (Gas-X, Mylanta Gas), and others require a prescription. Before starting any new medication, speak to your healthcare provider to ensure it’s a safe option for you.
When Should You be Concerned About Persistent Bloating?
Bloating by itself isn’t a dangerous condition, though it can be painful and anxiety-inducing. In the majority of cases, bloating passes on its own.
However, in rare cases, bloating can also be a sign of a more serious underlying condition. If you experience frequent and severe bloating, unintentional weight loss, blood in your stool, fevers, or persistent diarrhea, speak to your healthcare provider.
As always, if you have any questions or concerns about your individual medical situation, reach out to your healthcare team for their input.
FAQs
How can I tell if my stomach is bloated or fat?
If you push on your abdomen and it feels firm or distended, that's likely bloating. Fat feels soft and squishy. Bloating comes on quickly and causes discomfort like fullness, tightness, or nausea, while fat gain happens gradually over weeks to months.
Does bloating cause weight gain?
No. Bloating is caused by a buildup of extra air in your stomach and intestines, not new fat cells. Fat shows up on the scale with an increase in weight, but bloating caused by air doesn't.
How long does bloating last?
In the majority of cases, bloating passes on its own without intervention. If you experience frequent and severe bloating along with unintentional weight loss, blood in your stool, fevers, or persistent diarrhea, speak to your healthcare provider.
Can bloating make you look fat?
Yes, bloating can cause the stomach area to look large or stick out more, similar to fat gain. Unlike fat, bloating is temporary and can be relieved by walking, using a heating pad, drinking peppermint tea, or making dietary changes like cutting back on carbonated drinks.
Check Your Eligibility
If you're struggling with bloating, unexpected weight changes, or just want guidance on how to get the most out of your weight loss journey, a licensed provider on Mochi Health's telehealth platform can help you figure out what's going on and what to do about it. Check your eligibility here.
Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. The information provided does not constitute recommendations for treatment. Always consult with your healthcare provider about your specific situation, symptoms, and treatment options.
References
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Sun JY, Huang WJ, Hua Y, Qu Q, Cheng C, Liu HL, Kong XQ, Ma YX, Sun W. Trends in general and abdominal obesity in US adults: Evidence from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2001-2018). Front Public Health. 2022 Oct 6;10:925293. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.925293. PMID: 36276394; PMCID: PMC9582849.
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Oluwaseun Anyiam, Bethan Phillips, Katie Quinn, Daniel Wilkinson, Kenneth Smith, Philip Atherton, Iskandar Idris. Metabolic effects of very-low calorie diet, Semaglutide, or combination of the two, in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Clinical Nutrition, Volume 43, Issue 8, 2024, Pages 1907-1913, ISSN 0261-5614. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clnu.2024.06.034.
Villoria A, Serra J, Azpiroz F, Malagelada JR. Physical activity and intestinal gas clearance in patients with bloating. Am J Gastroenterol. 2006 Nov;101(11):2552-7. doi: 10.1111/j.1572-0241.2006.00873.x. Epub 2006 Oct 4. PMID: 17029608.
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