Your jeans are feeling tight and your stomach feels uncomfortably swollen… Sound familiar?

For many of us, feeling bloated is a common occurrence. And although we usually associate the sensation with overeating, there are many other causes - some of which are rather surprising.

Here’s 8 things that could be contributing towards your ballooned belly:

1) Dehyrdration

Maybe you’ve spent the afternoon in your local beer garden or maybe you’ve been sipping coffee at your desk all day. Either way, too much alcohol or caffeine can lead to dehydration, which is a common cause of bloating. To avoid this, aim to consume at least 1.5 litres of water each day.

2) Swallowing excess air

Whether you’ve been chewing gum or smoking cigarettes, swallowing too much air can cause oxygen and nitrogen to collect in the digestive tract. This can result in excess wind and bloating.

3) Eating too fast

Your meal arrives and 5 minutes later you’ve demolished the whole thing and you’re looking at the dessert menu. Ring a bell? To avoid the post-meal bloat, try to chew your food slowly and take your time.

4) Tight clothing

Unbeknown to many of us, something as simple as your clothing can cause chaos. So whether your trousers are high waisted or your dress is skin tight, remember that restrictive clothing may trigger that bloat.

5) Food intolerances

Particular foods may wreak havoc with your stomach, so if you think that something isn’t sitting well with you, you should consider seeking medical guidance.

6) Premenstrual syndrome

Unfortunately for the ladies, not only does premenstrual syndrome affect emotions, but it also affects physical health, and often causes extreme bloating.

7) Stress

Whether it’s work related or child-induced, stress can wreak havoc with your digestive system and cause us to balloon.

8) A big meal

Although this one seems obvious, it’s important to remember that it’s completely normal, and more often than not, you’ll wake up the following morning feeling back to normal. What’s more? If your meal contains beans, onions, broccoli, cabbage, Brussels or cauliflower, your bloat may be heightened, because research suggests that these may be triggers (this doesn’t mean you should avoid them though, it’s just handy to be clued up).

So, there you have it! Not only can a big meal trigger bloating, but so can your lifestyle, clothing choice and hydration levels!