Belly Shapes and Hidden Health Clues

A belly that frequently feels or appears bloated, even after small meals, can be a common complaint. While often benign and linked to dietary factors like excessive gas production from certain foods, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), or temporary fluid retention, persistent bloating can sometimes signal more serious conditions. It could indicate food intolerances, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), or, in rarer and more concerning cases, ovarian cancer, celiac disease, or even early signs of ascites, which is fluid accumulation in the abdominal cavity.