Question: Why is my stomach so swollen and bloated? I feel as if I I'm 9 months pregnant and I'm not, that is a fact. At times I even get really hot and irritable with it. I am overweight, have been all my life and have never experienced this. Corina

Answer: Dear Corina,

Bloating occus when the abdominal area feels full and tight. Its most common causes are:

- Lactose intolerance
- Constipation
- Overeating
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

Less common causes include tumors, such as the ones occuring from ovarian cancer.

In order to start a treatment, the cause of the bloating must be diagnosed first. A doctor can perform tests to find out if intolerance to lactose or IBS might be the cause.