What’s Causing Your Bloat?

this may have been your story thus far, but it doesn’t have to be forever

Picture this: the year is 2007. It's a small town in Southern Virginia. The leaves are turning, trees are undressing, and temperature is dropping. A 19 year old leaves her apartment, gets in her car, and drives to target.

She parks her car in a pull-through parking spot so she won't have to reverse back out when she's done, grabs her purse & sunglasses, and walks inside the store.

She peruses through the shelves looking for something cute to wear tonight when she meets her friends. She searches, she looks; but she can't find anything that makes her feel comfortable.

Then she looks around the corner, and sees a nice, oversized, bright sweater than she can layer over leggings and some boots (yo it was 2017!)

Finally! Something that fits!

And then she looks at the tag…it's the maternity section.  

She is buying maternity clothes. 

She is not pregnant.

Also, in case you didn't pick up on this already, “she” = “me.”

Hi, I'm Hiwa. If you don't know me already, I'm that bitch that won't shut the fuck up about pooping and bloating. 

I don't do this because I'm obsessed with poop or because I have 14 graduate degrees in gut health. Neither are the case.

But I talk about it because my gut health dictated my life for so long. I would wake up feeling backed up, and fall asleep with my tummy ballooning out. It seemed like I probably had some kind of food sensitivity, but I couldn't figure out what. I tried keeping food journals, seeing doctors, getting tests, taking herbs, taking supplements, doing acupuncture…you name it, I tried it.

And nothing worked.

Eventually, I had enough.

I hit my breaking point.  

I was sick of not having control over my body.

I was tired of wearing oversized clothing to hide.

I wanted to wear cute clothes, feel good, and be the sparkly vibrant person that I knew I was on the inside. 

So I dedicated the next 17 years of my life to figuring out my gut health & getting to the other side, and now, I finally know what was causing my bloating & how to make it go away.

One thing I learned on this “journey” is that all bloating ultimately comes down to one or more of 3 causes: gut dysbiosis, intestinal permeability, and accumulated waste. Often, more than 1 is present at the same time, but for sure at least one of the three is present.

  • Gut dysbiosis is an imbalance of the gut microbiome, where the harmful bacteria outnumber the beneficial ones. This disruption can impair digestion, nutrient absorption, and overall gut health. When gut bacteria are imbalanced, they may produce excess gas and inflammation, leading to bloating. The overgrowth of harmful bacteria can also slow down digestion, allowing food to ferment in the gut, further increasing gas production and discomfort.

    Symptoms of gut dysbiosis:

    • Bloating and gas

    • Diarrhea or constipation

    • Abdominal pain or cramping

    • Food intolerances

    • Fatigue

    • Brain fog

    Studies have shown that maintaining a healthy balance of gut bacteria is essential for digestion and preventing bloating.

  • Intestinal permeability, often called "leaky gut," occurs when the lining of your intestines becomes damaged, allowing undigested food particles, toxins, and bacteria to pass through the gut barrier into the bloodstream. This can trigger inflammation and immune responses, leading to bloating and discomfort. When your gut lining is compromised, the absorption of nutrients may also be affected, which can slow down digestion and contribute to bloating.

    Symptoms of intestinal permeability:

    • Bloating and gas

    • Food sensitivities

    • Diarrhea or constipation

    • Fatigue

    • Brain fog

    • Joint pain

    • Skin issues (e.g., rashes, acne)

    Studies suggest that maintaining a strong gut barrier and reducing inflammation are key to preventing bloating caused by intestinal permeability.

  • Accumulated waste refers to the buildup of undigested food, stool, or gas in your digestive tract due to sluggish bowel movements or incomplete digestion. When waste sits in the intestines too long, it can ferment and produce gas, causing bloating and discomfort. This waste can also press against the intestinal walls, creating feelings of fullness and tightness in the abdomen. Poor gut motility, dehydration, and low fiber intake are common reasons for this buildup.

    Symptoms of accumulated waste:

    • Bloating and gas

    • Constipation

    • Feeling of fullness

    • Abdominal discomfort or pain

    • Irregular bowel movements

    • Nausea

    Increasing fiber, hydration, and gut motility can help clear out accumulated waste and reduce bloating.

Have Questions?

If you have any questions based on what you just read, don’t hesitate to reach out!