Abdominal bloating is a condition in which the belly (abdomen) feels full and tight. Your belly may look swollen (distended).
Causes of Abdominal bloating
Common causes include:
- Swallowing air
- Gastroesophageal reflux (GERD)
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Lactose intolerance and problems digesting other foods
- Small bowel bacterial overgrowth
- Weight gain
More serious disorders that may cause bloating are:
- Ascites and tumors
- Celiac disease
- Dumping syndrome
- Ovarian cancer
- Problems with the pancreas not producing enough digestive enzymes (pancreatic insufficiency)
You may take the following steps:
- Avoid chewing gum or carbonated drinks. Stay away from foods with high levels of fructose or sorbitol
- Avoid foods that can produce gas, such as Brussels sprouts, turnips, cabbage, beans, and lentils.
- Do not eat too quickly.
- Stop smoking.
Get treatment for constipation if you have it. However, fiber supplements such as psyllium or 100% bran can make your symptoms worse.
Watch for foods that trigger your bloating so you can start to avoid those foods. These may include:
- Milk and other dairy products that contain lactose
- Certain carbohydrates that contain fructose, known as FODMAPs
When to Contact a Health Professional
Call your health care provider if you have:
- Abdominal pain
- Blood in the stools or dark, tarry looking stools
- Heartburn that is getting worse
- Weight loss
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Ohge H, Levitt MD. Intestinal gas. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger & Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders Elsevier; 2010:chap 16.
|Review Date: 5/15/2014
Reviewed By: Jenifer K. Lehrer, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Frankford-Torresdale Hospital, Aria Health System, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.