Morning bloating can leave you feeling uncomfortable and sluggish, but understanding the common causes and simple remedies can help you start your day feeling lighter and more at ease.

If you wake up in the morning with a larger or fuller feeling in your stomach (abdomen), you may be experiencing bloating, one of the most common digestive complaints, according to a 2021 research review.

Occasional bloating may leave your stomach feeling larger and uncomfortable. In more severe cases, bloating can be painful and accompanied by more serious symptoms.

The key to avoiding morning bloating is to learn what causes it so you can make changes to your diet and lifestyle. If you continue to have severe bloating or suspect an underlying medical condition, it’s important to talk with a doctor about next steps.

Learn more about some of the more common causes of morning bloating and what you can do to help alleviate it.

Occasional morning stomach bloating may result from lifestyle choices the day or night before. These may lead to constipation or gas, or even swelling and fluid retention.

Possible causes of morning bloating

Just some of the possible reasons you may wake up with stomach bloating include:

Chronic daily bloating could indicate more than just diet and lifestyle alone. If you wake up with a bloated stomach every morning, you should talk with a doctor. They may rule out some of the possible causes of chronic bloat.

Below are a few to consider.

Intestinal and stomach issues and bloating

Certain diseases and issues with the gastrointestinal (GI) system are some possible causes of bloating. These include:

Other medical conditions and bloating

Other medical conditions that may lead to bloating include:

Medications and bloating

Bloating may also be a side effect of certain medications you take. These may include over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription products, such as:

If your doctor rules out an underlying medical problem as a cause of your bloating, you may be able to help reduce occasional morning bloating with diet and lifestyle changes.

Ideally, such changes should be implemented the day or night before so you don’t wake up feeling bloated.

Dietary changes to reduce bloating

Eating too many beans, cruciferous vegetables, and legumes may lead to morning bloating, particularly if you consume these foods the night before.

Eating smaller meals throughout the day and avoiding eating before bedtime can also help reduce stomach bloating.

If you suspect a food intolerance, keeping a food diary can help you share it with your doctor. However, don’t cut out essential nutrients without discussing it with your doctor first.

Drink herbal tea

In addition to increasing your water intake, drinking certain herbal teas may help alleviate bloating. The following herbs may decrease occasional bloating:

  • anise
  • caraway
  • chamomile
  • coriander
  • fennel
  • peppermint
  • turmeric

Consider digestive enzymes

Digestive enzyme supplements may help some people who don’t have enough enzymes in their GI tract. These enzymes typically help you break down the foods you eat and extract their nutrients. Without them, malnutrition, bloating, and other side effects may occur.

If you’re curious about digestive enzymes, talk with a doctor first. They can help you determine whether your bloating and other symptoms may be related to enzyme deficiencies and recommend the right products for you.

Regular exercise

Regular exercise may help improve digestion, thereby decreasing the risk of bloating. However, even short bursts of activity throughout the day can help.

One small 2021 study found that light walking for 10 to 15 minutes after meals helped decrease chronic bloating in participants.

Address any underlying medical conditions

If you have an underlying medical condition, such as an intestinal disease, diet and lifestyle changes may not be enough to help address chronic bloating.

It’s important to speak with a healthcare professional for possible treatment modifications and testing.

It’s possible to wake up with both a bloated face and stomach. This is most likely attributed to fluid retention. Possible causes for morning face bloating include:

  • eating high sodium foods the day before
  • alcohol consumption
  • medications that cause fluid retention, such as antidepressants and NSAIDs
  • hormone changes, such as those that occur during menstruation
  • Cushing syndrome
  • hypothyroidism

If you have an underlying medical condition, such as Cushing syndrome or hypothyroidism, your treatment may help gradually reduce morning facial bloating.

Occasional face swelling may be prevented with some of the same strategies as those for stomach bloating, including:

  • eating smaller meals
  • reducing salt intake
  • drinking more water
  • avoiding large meals before bed

If you have chronic morning bloating despite lifestyle changes, talk with a doctor about possible causes. An imaging test, such as an X-ray, may be ordered to take a look at the inside of your stomach. They may also help you rule out food intolerances.

When to seek help

You should also call your doctor right away if abdominal bloating is accompanied by symptoms of a more serious underlying health problem. These include:

  • nausea or vomiting
  • chronic diarrhea
  • bloody stool
  • unusual vaginal bleeding (that isn’t related to menstruation)
  • worsening heartburn
  • high fever
  • unintentional weight loss

Waking up with an occasional bloated stomach isn’t necessarily a cause for concern. Diet and lifestyle modifications may help ease minor bloating, including eating smaller meals, exercising, and more.

However, if you wake up with bloating every day despite making changes to your habits, it may be time to talk with a doctor.

You should especially make it a point to contact your doctor if you experience other symptoms, such as pain, bleeding, and unusual stool changes.