6. Bloating: The Abdominal Enigma
Is your stomach bulging but you haven’t pigged out or binged on beer? It might be more complicated than poor diet choices or too many cheat days. With autoimmune gastritis, bloating is a symptom that stumps even the best of us. You may find your belly distended, even when you’ve been watching what you eat.
So why does this happen? Autoimmune gastritis disrupts the stomach’s muscle movement. Food doesn’t get pushed down as smoothly, gases build up, and voila, you’re bloated. It’s like a traffic jam in your stomach, where everything grinds to a slow, uncomfortable crawl.
But hang on a sec. Bloating often couples with another symptom—belching. These two are like the Bonnie and Clyde of gastric symptoms, creating a ruckus in your system. Together, they can cause quite a scene, making you feel as if you’ve consumed a three-course meal even when you’ve barely nibbled on a cracker.
Now, while most people experience bloating occasionally, with autoimmune gastritis, it becomes an uncomfortable norm rather than a fleeting issue. It’s bloating that doesn’t just disappear with a few antacids or a quick jog around the block. No, this sticks around, making you hyper-aware of every bite you take. (6)
