Stomach bloating is usually caused by eating food which is gassy or difficult to digest.
This can include stodgy food like fast food, or vegetables like beans, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and onions.
Having a bloated stomach can be painful and uncomfortable, but isn’t usually a sign of anything serious.
However, if stomach bloating occurs after eating bread or other products containing gluten, it could signify an intolerance to gluten, otherwise known as coeliac disease.
Coeliac disease is a common digestive condition where the small intestine becomes inflamed and unable to absorb nutrients.
It’s caused by an adverse reaction to gluten, which is found in wheat, barley and rye.
The most common types of food and drink to contain gluten are pasta, cake, cereal, bread, sauces, ready meals and beer.
If stomach bloating is triggered by eating food containing gluten, it could be a sign of coeliac disease.
Other symptoms of coeliac disease include diarrhoea, abdominal pain, flatulence, indigestion and constipation.
More generally, coeliac disease can lead to fatigue, unexpected weight loss, an itchy rash, problems getting pregnant, nerve damage and problems with balance and speech.
Symptoms of coeliac disease can range from mild to severe, and often come and go.
Mild cases may not cause noticeable symptoms, but treatment is still recommended as complications can still occur.
If left untreated, coeliac disease could cause sufferers of the condition to become malnourished, as it prevents the body from digesting food normally.
This can lead to the body being unable to function properly or recover from wounds and infections.
Malabsorption of nutrients can also lead to vitamin deficiencies and osteoporosis – a condition where the bones become brittle and weak.
The disease is usually treated by simply excluding food containing gluten from your diet.
Gluten must be excluded entirely as even tiny amounts can trigger symptoms and increase the risk of complications.
“If you have coeliac disease, you must give up all sources of gluten for life. Your symptoms will return if you eat foods containing gluten, and it will cause long-term damage to your health,” said the NHS.
“This may sound daunting, but your GP can give you help and advice about ways to manage your diet.”
“Your symptoms should improve considerably within weeks of starting a gluten-free diet. However, it may take up to two years for your digestive system to heal completely.”
