Hi.

I'm a slim, relatively active guy. I'm worried about the way my stomach has been bloated to various degrees over the last year. If it helps, this picture is of a man who drank a load of milk at once:

http://www.reumann.net/milkchallenge/image s/16_completes_last_shows_stomach.jpg

I know it's kind of ridiculous, but that's pretty much what I look like. Taut, inflated belly that is completely disproportionate to the rest of my body.

It started as a small bulge, but has since developed into a sizable inflation. I know it's not fat because I am quite slim in all the other parts of my body. It appears to be below my muscles, because if I inhale and tense I can see clearly defined abs.

The size of the bulge varies from near flat to adding a full 2 inches outwards from my stomach, though it's hard to tell what dictates it. It is usually much less after I have had bowel movements or first thing in the morning, which leads me to believe it has something to do with my diet.

I have been told I eat very quickly, and am now conscious of how little I chew my food. I eat quite a lot of pasta and white bread, as well as plenty of vegetables. I find myself snacking quite often between meals on food that probably isn't great for my body: biscuits, mints, basically carbs.

I have made an effort to drink more water lately, though I can't see much effect. I exercise for about 5 or 6 hours a week, playing tennis or soccer, or working out at the gym.

Finally, I have noticed I am passing wind much more often than previously. My stomach does feel gaseous, as though it has been pumped up, and my skin seems quite taut around my stomach.

Any ideas? Is this common? If you have any possible solutions at all, please share them!