Why does eating high-protein foods cause stomach bloating?

Stomach bloating after eating high-protein foods may be caused by allergies, indigestion, gastrointestinal dysfunction, gastritis, gastric ulcers, or other reasons.

1. Allergy

When suffering from a food allergy, gastrointestinal inflammation may occur, impairing normal digestion and causing food to remain in the digestive tract for too long, leading to bloating. It is recommended to avoid allergens. Anti-allergic medications such as diphenhydramine hydrochloride tablets, cetirizine hydrochloride tablets, or loratadine tablets may be taken under medical guidance.

2. Indigestion

Eating excessive amounts of food at once may produce large amounts of gas or cause food to accumulate in the intestines, slowing intestinal motility and resulting in indigestion. Symptoms may include abdominal pain, early satiety, belching, and diarrhea. It is recommended to take medications such as Bifidobacterium triple viable capsules, Bacillus licheniformis viable capsules, or quadruple probiotic tablets under medical supervision to promote intestinal motility and improve symptoms.

3. Gastrointestinal Dysfunction

In cases of gastrointestinal dysfunction, the digestive tract may not produce sufficient digestive enzymes to properly break down proteins in high-protein foods. This causes proteins to remain in the gastrointestinal tract, leading to a sensation of bloating. It is recommended to take prokinetic agents such as metoclopramide tablets, domperidone tablets, or itopride hydrochloride tablets under medical guidance to enhance gastric motility and relieve symptoms.

4. Gastritis

When suffering from gastritis, consuming high-protein foods may reduce gastric motility, leading to symptoms such as stomach bloating, belching, acid reflux, loss of appetite, and nausea. It is recommended to take mucosal-protective medications such as chewable aluminum magnesium carbonate tablets, sucralfate tablets, or potassium citrate bismuth capsules under medical supervision to alleviate symptoms.

5. Gastric Ulcer

In cases of gastric ulcer, the gastric mucosa is already damaged. Consuming high-protein foods may further increase the burden on the gastrointestinal tract, causing symptoms such as abdominal distension, vomiting, and nausea. It is recommended to follow medical advice and take medications such as famotidine tablets, ilaprazole enteric-coated tablets, or pantoprazole sodium enteric-coated tablets to suppress gastric acid secretion.

It is advised to seek medical attention at a hospital for thorough evaluation and appropriate treatment under professional guidance. During illness, maintain a light diet with small, frequent meals, and avoid spicy or irritating foods to prevent worsening of symptoms.