MINCE pies, mulled wine and copious amounts of turkey.
Christmas is all about overindulging and enjoying the festive food and drink without a care in the world.
GettyBeing bloated can be uncomfortable but there are times your symptoms could actually be a sign of something serious[/caption]
But all those extra chocolates and lager shandys can leave you feeling a little bloated.
The NHS says that this is a common condition and happens when your tummy feels full and uncomfortable.
Most of the time, this can be caused by foods and fizzy drinks and some vegetables (yep, we’re looking at you, Brussels sprouts).
It can also be down to swallowing air when you eat – but it usually goes away on its own, with some people also feeling bloated around the time of their period.
But if this bloat is consistent, it might be a little more serious, warns nutritionist at Lifesum, Signe Svanfeldt.
Speaking to The Sun, she said there are four main causes.
However she added: “Being bloated every now and then after having a meal, doesn’t have to mean one of these underlying issues, but if they are recurring it might be good to see a doctor.”
1. Stomach feels bigger or fuller than usual
This is a common feeling if you’ve over indulged, but Signe said if your tummy feels full or bigger than usual then it could be a warning sign of a range of conditions, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), stomach cancer or a lactose intolerance.
Guidance from the NHS states that feeling full very quickly when eating is another sign of stomach cancer – but that symptoms of the illness can be hard to spot.
If you experience this along with heartburn or acid reflux, issues swallowing, feeling or being sick or indigestion then you should see your GP.
2. Pain or discomfort
Pain and discomfort in the stomach is another sign of stomach cancer, and will mainly manifest as a pain at the top of your tummy.
However Signe added that this pain could also be down to IBS or food intolerance.
It could also be a sign of coeliac disease, she added.
This is an autoimmune digestive condition where the intestines react to gluten and become inflamed, the NHS says.
The adverse reaction can come from the dietary protein which is often found in three cereals: wheat, barley and rye.
The gluten damages the lining of the intestines making the body unable to absorb important nutrients.
Coeliac disease is a life-long condition that can lead to bloating, nausea and tiredness, and is only treated by a change in diet.
Dermatitis herpetiformis is the skin manifestation of coeliac disease, which occurs on elbows, knees, shoulders, the buttocks and face.
The condition affects one in 3,300 people and a number of celebrities, including Megan Mckenna and Ulrika Jonsson suffer from it.
3. Rumbling or making sounds
We’ve all had a rumbling stomach when we have gone to long without food.
It’s also likely that you’ve experienced your stomach groaning as you shovel in the remaining Quality Street choccies.
But Signe said this could also be a sign of Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis.
Crohn’s is a condition that causes inflammation of the digestive system.
The inflammation is the body’s reaction to injury or irritation, and can cause redness, swelling and pain.
It is often described as a chronic condition and although sufferers will have periods of good health, there are flare-ups where symptoms are more active.
It is one of the two main forms of inflammatory bowel disease – the other is a condition known as ulcerative colitis.
Signe added that strange sounds coming from your tummy can also be down to allergies, intolerances or IBS.
4. Farting more often than usual
Farting more than usual can be down to IBS, food allergies or intolerance such as lactose intolerance, Signe said.
GP Dr Sarah Garsed previously said that while it’s common to pass wind more on some days than others due to what you’ve eaten and what you’ve been doing – noticing that there are certain times that your farts are a lot more frequent (and smellier) could be to do with your sex.
Women go through cycles every month and the fluctuation in hormones results in a rise in oestrogen and the production of chemicals called prostaglandins.
Dr Sarah says: “Some women produce too much of this chemical and it can cause your bowels to contract more than normal, making you pass wind more often.
“Couple this with the fact you go through bacterial changes in the gut during this time of the month and you will also find those farts have a stronger smell. This is fine and nothing to worry about.”
When to see a GP
“Being bloated isn’t necessarily dangerous, although, in some circumstances, it might be something harmful”, Signe said.
If you experience some of these symptoms, you should see a doctor:
If your bloating doesn’t go away after a couple of days, or lasts for a couple of weeksIf you feel a swelling or lump in the stomachIf you experience diarrhoea, fever, constipation along with your bloatingIf you experience unwanted weight loss along with being bloated for longIf you discover blood in your stoolsIf your bloating hinders you from you regular daily activities
Signe added that before you see a doctor, it might be helpful to keep a food diary.
“You should also note the status of your stomach health, and map out correlations between certain food items and bloating symptoms”, she added.
If in doubt always call your GP, in the event on an emergency call 999 or go to your nearest A&E department.