Can skipping dinner cause bloating at night?

Abdominal bloating often occurs when skipping dinner at night. The specific analysis is as follows:

If a patient consumes large amounts of food during breakfast or lunch, especially foods high in starch, gas may still be produced even if no dinner is eaten, leading to abdominal bloating. This condition is generally considered a normal physiological phenomenon. Bloating may also occur due to indigestion or gut microbiota imbalance causing insufficient gastrointestinal motility, resulting in food retention. The retained food ferments and produces gas, which leads to bloating. Patients can take medications as directed by a physician to improve symptoms, such as domperidone tablets, Muxiang Shunqi pills, or Jianwei Xiaoshi tablets, all of which help enhance gastrointestinal motility. Additionally, patients should incorporate appropriate physical activities into their daily routine—such as jogging, jumping rope, or yoga—which can also help alleviate bloating.

If a patient experiences long-term abdominal bloating, it is recommended to visit a hospital for a thorough examination to determine the underlying cause and receive targeted treatment. Medications should only be taken under a doctor's guidance based on individual conditions, and self-medication should be avoided.