What causes abdominal bloating. How can you prevent bloating. What are effective relief strategies for bloating. When should you see a doctor about bloating. What dietary changes can help reduce bloating. How does constipation contribute to bloating. What medical conditions are associated with chronic bloating.

Understanding Abdominal Bloating: More Than Just Feeling Full

Abdominal bloating is a common complaint that goes beyond simply feeling overly full after a large meal. It’s characterized by a sensation of tightness or swelling in the belly, often accompanied by visible abdominal distension. While occasional bloating is normal, chronic or severe bloating may signal underlying health issues that require attention.

Many people use the term “bloated” casually to describe feeling full, but true bloating involves physical changes in the abdomen. It’s important to differentiate between bloating and other causes of abdominal enlargement, such as weight gain or abdominal wall laxity, which is common in older adults and those who have given birth.

Common Causes of Abdominal Bloating

Bloating can stem from various factors, ranging from dietary choices to medical conditions. Understanding these causes is crucial for effective management and prevention.

Constipation: A Leading Culprit

Constipation is a frequent cause of bloating that often goes unrecognized. Many people assume they’re not constipated if they have regular bowel movements, but constipation can manifest in other ways, including:

• Straining during bowel movements
• Passing hard, pebble-like stools
• Feeling incomplete evacuation after a bowel movement

When stool remains in the colon for extended periods, bacteria have more time to ferment its contents, leading to increased gas production and bloating.

Digestive Sensitivities and Disorders

Several digestive issues can contribute to bloating:

• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): People with IBS often experience heightened sensitivity to gas, resulting in pain, cramping, and bloating.
• Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO): An abnormal increase in bacteria in the small intestine can cause significant bloating, especially in individuals with IBS or a history of intestinal surgery.
• Gastroparesis: This condition slows stomach emptying, potentially leading to bloating, nausea, and even bowel obstruction.

Gynecological Factors

For women, certain gynecological conditions can cause bloating. Regular pelvic exams are crucial for detecting these issues early.

The FODMAP Connection: How Diet Influences Bloating

Diet plays a significant role in the development of gas and bloating. Research has shown that a low FODMAP diet can effectively reduce these symptoms, especially in individuals with IBS.

What Are FODMAPs?

FODMAP stands for Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides, and Polyols. These are types of carbohydrates that can be poorly absorbed in the small intestine, leading to fermentation in the colon and subsequent gas production.

Common FODMAP Sources

• Oligosaccharides: Found in wheat, onions, garlic, legumes, and beans
• Disaccharides: Primarily lactose, present in milk, yogurt, and ice cream
• Monosaccharides: Includes fructose, abundant in fruits like apples and pears, and honey
• Polyols: Sugar alcohols found in certain fruits (apricots, nectarines, plums) and vegetables (cauliflower), as well as in many sugar-free gums and candies

Strategies for Preventing and Relieving Bloating

While dietary changes are often the first line of defense against bloating, the most effective approach depends on identifying the underlying cause.

Dietary Modifications

Implementing a low FODMAP diet can be beneficial for many individuals experiencing chronic bloating. This involves eliminating high FODMAP foods and gradually reintroducing them to identify specific triggers.

Lifestyle Changes

For mild constipation-related bloating, increasing fiber intake, staying hydrated, and regular exercise can often provide relief. However, these measures may not be sufficient for chronic constipation or other underlying conditions.

Medical Intervention

Chronic bloating, especially when associated with conditions like IBS or gastroparesis, typically requires medical treatment. It’s crucial to consult with a healthcare provider to develop an appropriate management plan.

When to Seek Medical Attention for Bloating

While occasional bloating is usually not a cause for concern, certain situations warrant medical evaluation:

• Persistent or severe bloating
• Bloating accompanied by weight loss, blood in stools, or changes in bowel habits
• Bloating that significantly impacts daily life or quality of life
• Bloating associated with severe pain or other concerning symptoms

The Impact of Hydration on Bloating

Proper hydration plays a crucial role in preventing and managing bloating. Inadequate fluid intake can contribute to constipation, a common cause of bloating. Conversely, staying well-hydrated helps maintain regular bowel movements and supports overall digestive health.

How Much Water Is Enough?

The optimal amount of water varies depending on individual factors such as age, activity level, and climate. As a general guideline, aim for about 8 glasses (64 ounces) of water per day. However, listening to your body’s thirst signals is often the best indicator of hydration needs.

Beyond Water: Other Hydrating Options

While water is the ideal hydration source, other beverages and foods can contribute to your daily fluid intake:

• Herbal teas (caffeine-free)
• Clear broths
• Fruits and vegetables with high water content (e.g., watermelon, cucumbers, tomatoes)

Be cautious with carbonated beverages, as they can introduce additional gas into the digestive system and potentially exacerbate bloating in sensitive individuals.

The Role of Physical Activity in Reducing Bloating

Regular physical activity can significantly impact digestive health and help alleviate bloating. Exercise stimulates intestinal contractions, promoting more efficient movement of gas and stool through the digestive tract.

Beneficial Exercises for Bloating Relief

1. Walking: A simple yet effective way to get the digestive system moving
2. Yoga: Certain poses, like child’s pose and twists, can help release trapped gas
3. Core-strengthening exercises: A strong core supports better posture and can improve overall digestive function
4. Cardiovascular activities: Moderate-intensity aerobic exercise can stimulate digestion and reduce bloating

Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity most days of the week. Remember to start slowly and gradually increase intensity, especially if you’re new to exercise.

Stress Management and Its Effect on Bloating

The connection between stress and digestive health is well-established. Chronic stress can disrupt the delicate balance of gut bacteria, alter digestive processes, and exacerbate symptoms like bloating, especially in individuals with IBS or other digestive sensitivities.

Effective Stress-Reduction Techniques

• Mindfulness meditation
• Deep breathing exercises
• Progressive muscle relaxation
• Regular leisure activities or hobbies
• Adequate sleep (7-9 hours per night for most adults)

Incorporating stress management techniques into your daily routine can not only help reduce bloating but also improve overall health and well-being.

The Gut Microbiome and Bloating: A Complex Relationship

The trillions of microorganisms residing in our digestive tract, collectively known as the gut microbiome, play a crucial role in digestive health and can significantly influence bloating.

How Gut Bacteria Affect Bloating

An imbalance in gut bacteria, known as dysbiosis, can lead to increased gas production and bloating. Certain types of bacteria are more likely to produce gas as they break down food particles, particularly carbohydrates.

Strategies for Promoting a Healthy Gut Microbiome

1. Consume a diverse range of plant-based foods to support bacterial diversity
2. Include fermented foods like yogurt, kefir, and sauerkraut in your diet
3. Consider probiotic supplements, but consult with a healthcare provider first
4. Limit intake of processed foods and artificial sweeteners, which can disrupt gut balance
5. Avoid unnecessary antibiotic use, which can harm beneficial gut bacteria

Maintaining a healthy gut microbiome through diet and lifestyle choices can help reduce bloating and improve overall digestive function.

Understanding the multifaceted nature of abdominal bloating is key to finding effective relief and prevention strategies. By addressing diet, lifestyle factors, and potential underlying medical conditions, most individuals can significantly reduce the frequency and severity of bloating episodes. Remember, persistent or severe bloating should always be evaluated by a healthcare professional to rule out more serious conditions and develop an appropriate treatment plan.

Bloating: Causes and Prevention Tips

How often do you hear yourself or friends complain about bloating? We often just say we’re bloated when we feel full, but for many women, the problem relates to a chronic underlying condition. If you feel bloated often, you may have a condition like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which affects up to 24 of women.

Here are some common causes of bloating and tips on preventing this uncomfortable condition.

What is bloating?

Bloating is a condition where your belly feels full and tight, often due to gas.

People might confuse bloating with other reasons for a more noticeable belly, such as abdominal wall laxity, or looseness. This is common, especially among older women and those who have had children.

It’s important to know the difference so you can get the right treatment. A toned abdomen can make it easier to see a difference when the gut is full of food or stool.

Causes of Bloating

One common cause of bloating is constipation. You can be constipated and not realize it, since having fewer bowel movements than you normally do is just one symptom of constipation. You may still be constipated even if you have regular bowel movements. Other symptoms of constipation include:

• Straining to start or finish a bowel movement
• Stool that looks like rocks and pebbles
• Not feeling empty after a bowel movement

Constipation can contribute to abdominal pain and bloating. The longer your stool stays in your colon, the more time bacteria have to ferment what’s there, resulting in more gas and bloating.

Aside from constipation, other causes of bloating include:

• Gut sensitivity: People with IBS can be extremely sensitive to gas, which can cause pain, cramping and diarrhea.
• Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO): Most healthy people have relatively few bacteria in the small intestine. People who have had intestinal surgery and/or IBS with diarrhea are more likely to have SIBO, which can cause bloating.
• Gastroparesis: This condition causes delayed stomach emptying, which can cause bloating, nausea and even bowel blockage.
• Gynecological conditions: Sometimes problems with your ovaries or uterus may cause bloating. Make sure you never skip your annual pelvic exam.

5 Reasons Your Stomach May Hurt

Tummy troubles are a common cause for a visit to the doctor’s office. When patients complain of “stomach pain,” they are sometimes describing pain that is throughout the abdomen area and may not actually be directly related to the organ known as the stomach.

Learn more

How to Prevent Bloating

Typically, the first line of treatment for preventing gas and bloating is changing your diet. Research has shown that a low fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols (FODMAP) diet can reduce the symptoms of gas and IBS. A low FODMAP diet avoids fermentable, gas-producing food ingredients, such as:

• Oligosaccharides, which are found in wheat, onions, garlic, legumes and beans
• Disaccharides, such as lactose in milk, yogurt and ice cream
• Monosaccharides, including fructose (a type of sugar found in fruits and honey), apples and pears
• Polyols or sugar alcohols found in foods such as apricots, nectarines, plums and cauliflower, as well as many chewing gums and candies

In people sensitive to FODMAP-rich foods, the small intestine doesn’t always fully absorb these carbohydrates, and instead passes them to the colon, where they are fermented by bacteria and produce gas. To see if some of the FODMAP foods are causing your gas and bloating you can start by cutting out FODMAP foods and then slowly bringing them back into your diet one at a time to pinpoint any foods that are causing the problems.

In the long run, the key to preventing bloating is understanding its cause. If mild constipation is the problem, a fiber-rich diet, water and exercise may help, but these steps won’t always work for chronic constipation. Chronic constipation and other conditions, such as IBS or gastroparesis, require medical treatment, so it’s important to talk to your doctor about your bloating symptoms.

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Why Is My Stomach Bloated? 15 Causes of Abdominal Bloating

Medically Reviewed by Minesh Khatri, MD on May 18, 2021

We’ve all felt it: that too-full feeling you get in your belly. But it’s not always from eating too much. Does your body hold on to too much water? Is it something you ate? Or could a health issue be behind it?

Most people who think they’re bloated because they have gas are just more sensitive to it. This is usually related to a health condition. Possible causes include irritable bowel syndrome (when nerves linked to your bowel are too active), acid reflux (which irritates your esophagus, the tube between your throat and stomach), and hemorrhoids. Talk to your doctor if you think you have gas often.

Your body needs this, but most of us get more than we need. It makes you hold on to — or retain — water and can cause more serious health problems like high blood pressure. And it’s not just the saltshaker you should avoid: If you’re like many Americans, most of your salt comes from prepackaged and fast foods. Check food labels for salt (sodium) levels and remember: Just because you don’t taste it doesn’t mean it’s not there. 

Carbohydrates give your body fuel it can use quickly. But too many at once can make you retain water. And the faster the carbs get into your blood, the more likely that is. Simple carbs — white bread, candy, pastries, and soft drinks — enter your blood almost instantly. Complex carbs — whole grains, fruits, and vegetables — don’t because they take longer to digest.

Well, here’s an easy one. Your stomach is only about the size of your fist. It can stretch, but that can make you feel bloated, especially if you eat lots of salty food and carbs. One tip is to stop eating before you feel full.  

Those bubbles in soda and other drinks like beer, champagne, or seltzer are filled with gas. When you drink them, they can fill up your digestive system. You may burp some of it away, but once the gas reaches your intestines, it stays until you pass it. And most sodas are full of sugar, which can make you hold on to water and feel bloated.

The faster you eat, the more air you swallow. And like with bubbly drinks, once that air passes to your intestine, it can make you feel bloated. It can take 20 minutes for your stomach to tell your brain you’re full, so you can eat enough to make yourself bloated and uncomfortable before your brain gets the message.

Most people are a little irregular from time to time, and that can make you feel bloated. Some foods can cause it, along with not drinking enough water, sudden changes in your diet, or stress. It usually passes on its own, but exercise and over-the-counter drugs can help. See your doctor if it lasts more than a few days.

Foods like milk and ice cream can cause gas, belly pain, and bloating if your body can’t easily digest a dairy sugar called lactose. It’s not usually serious, but it’s a good idea to avoid milk products. Some medicines can help you digest it more easily. This is not the same as an allergy to dairy, where your body’s immune system treats it like a dangerous invader. That can be more serious, causing hives, vomiting, and bloody stools.

If you’ve gained 10 or more pounds in the past year, you may feel bloated because that weight often goes on around your belly. That takes up space and leaves less room for your stomach to stretch. Talk with your doctor about a plan to help you lose that weight and be more comfortable.

This is a kind of sugar, and it’s harder for your body to break down than other kinds. That can lead to gas, bloating, and pain. It’s in lots of foods in the form of “high fructose corn syrup,” and it happens naturally in some like fruit (especially dried fruit) as well as honey, onions, and garlic. A food diary can help you keep track of how you feel after you eat certain foods and figure out if this is a problem for you.

Your body needs it to make cell walls, nerve tissue (like your brain), and hormones. But too much can make you bloated because your body takes longer to break it down than other types of food. That means it sticks around longer. It’s also high in calories and can make you gain weight if you’re not careful — and that can make you feel bloated, too.

A condition called premenstrual syndrome, or PMS, can make some women feel tired, achy, and irritable the week or so before their period. It also makes you hold on to water, which can make you feel bloated. The cause is unclear, but hormones seem to play a part. It can help to exercise and stay away from salt, sugar, and simple carbs.

These carbs are digested near the end of your intestine, where bacteria feed on them. For some people, this can cause gas and fluid buildup, belly pain, and bloating. FODMAPs are in some fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and dairy — asparagus, garlic, pears, mangoes, peaches, wheat pasta, and rye bread are examples. Keep a food diary to keep track of foods that affect you, and ask a dietitian or doctor if FODMAPs might be to blame.

This is when your body responds to gluten — a protein in wheat, barley, rye, and many prepackaged foods — by attacking the lining of your intestine (part of your digestive system). It can cause diarrhea, weight loss, pain in the belly area, and lots of gas, which can make you feel bloated. There’s no cure, but you can manage your symptoms if you stay away from foods that have gluten.

Most of the time, you can manage bloating on your own. But if you also feel weak or lose your appetite, or have diarrhea, weight loss, fever, belly pain, or blood in your stool, talk to your doctor. To find out what’s going on, they may take a stool sample or an X-ray of your small intestine, or test you for lactose intolerance or celiac disease. 

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American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology: “Milk & Dairy Allergy.”

British Nutrition Foundation: “Understanding satiety: feeling full after a meal.”

Cleveland Clinic: “Feel Bloated? 5 Odd Reasons for Your Stomach Pain,” “Constipation: 6 Ways to Unblock Yourself. ”

Harvard Health Publications: “Is fructose bad for you?”

Mayo Clinic: “Water retention: Relieve this premenstrual symptom,” “Premenstrual syndrome (PMS).”

Nemours Foundation: “What Are Fat and Calories?”

NIH: “Low-FODMAP Diet for Treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome,” “Functional Abdominal Bloating with Distention,” “AgePage: Concerned About Constipation?”

UpToDate: “Patient education: Celiac disease in adults (Beyond the Basics),” “Patient education: Gas and bloating (Beyond the Basics).”

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Bloating and gas – causes, symptoms and treatment of flatulence after eating

Co-author, editor and medical expert – Klimovich Elina Valerievna.

Number of views: 44,837

Date last updated: 12/20/2021

Average read time: 5 minutes

Bloating (flatulence or accumulation of gases in the abdomen) is a fairly common condition that can develop as a reaction to an improper diet and an unbalanced diet. But it can also be a sign of dyspepsia – digestive disorders due to improper stomach motility, as a result of which food lingers in it, causing a feeling of fullness, fullness and other symptoms.

Signs of bloating

Symptoms in the digestive system

Flatulence disrupts the functioning of the entire digestive system. The gases accumulated in the intestines prevent the normal movement of food, which causes heartburn, belching, and an unpleasant aftertaste in the mouth. In addition, gases during bloating lead to an increase in the lumen of the intestine, to which it reacts with stabbing or aching pains, often occurring in the form of contractions. The passage of gases relieves discomfort for a while, but only until their next “portion” accumulates and causes another cycle. This condition may be accompanied by stool disorder (constipation or diarrhea), nausea, and a decrease or complete lack of appetite.

Manifestations in children

In newborns and infants, flatulence manifests itself quite clearly. The child becomes irritable and capricious, often wakes up. Appetite worsened, bloating worse after eating. During feeding, the baby may greedily grab the nipple or breast, but immediately release it. There may be frequent regurgitation of both milk or mixture, and air.

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Causes of bloating in a healthy person

Temporary bloating and gas is common when there is a violation of proper eating habits. Snacking “on the go” and talking while eating lead to the fact that air enters the stomach along with food.

Carbonated drinks, chewing gum and smoking also contribute to this.

It should be understood that air itself does not pose any threat – in a healthy person, it partially leaves the stomach in the form of belching, and the rest enters the intestines, from where it is excreted naturally.

Such favorite and “safe” sweets are one of the most frequent provocateurs of bloating. Easily digestible carbohydrates, which are part of rich baked goods, cookies, sweets and other goodies, cause a fermentation process in which gas is released. Bloating after eating, if sweets were present on the menu, is a fairly characteristic sign of flatulence caused by fermentation.

Foods containing starch and coarse fiber (potatoes, legumes, rye bread, cabbage, etc.) can also lead to gas formation.

The folk remedy for heartburn, plain baking soda, is not as safe as it seems. The gases formed in the stomach during the reaction of soda with hydrochloric acid can easily provoke symptoms of flatulence and aggravate the situation.

Microorganisms inhabiting the human intestines are essential for the normalization and maintenance of the correct process of digestion. But even a slight “distortion” in the composition of the microflora can cause bacteria that produce methane, hydrogen, hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide to prevail, and then, naturally, bloating occurs.

The stomach and intestines are governed and controlled by the nervous system in the same way as all other organs. It is not surprising that under stress, excessive psycho-emotional stress and overwork, the work of these organs can be disrupted, resulting in increased gas formation.

• Pregnancy

The changes that occur in a woman’s body during pregnancy are the most common cause of increased gas formation that occurs during this period. The growth of the fetus and the enlargement of the uterus lead to squeezing of the intestinal walls, which disrupts the natural discharge of gases.

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How to deal with bloating?

The elimination of flatulence is a complex process. Treatment is developed and applied after the causes of bloating are identified and may include the following activities to address the source of the problem and alleviate the symptoms of this condition.

Lifestyle modification

Bloating after eating is often due to poor food hygiene. A calm environment during breakfasts and lunches, unhurried chewing of food, exclusion from the diet of carbonated drinks and chewing gum, smoking cessation – these measures will help prevent air from entering the stomach.

Diet correction

If gas formation is caused by the consumption of provocative foods (potatoes, muffins, sweets, whole milk, legumes, cabbage, etc. ), eliminating them from the diet will help eliminate this problem.

Fractional nutrition – the daily amount of food, divided into 5-6 small portions – also helps to normalize digestion and treat increased gas formation.

Bloating – causes and treatment, which doctor to contact

What is bloating and where does it happen

Bloating (tympania) – an uncomfortable feeling of heaviness and fullness in the abdomen. As a rule, it is accompanied by rumbling, belching, sometimes diarrhea or constipation. Rarely, with swelling, pain and colic are noted.

In addition to bloating and a feeling of fullness, some patients report nausea, bad taste in the mouth, and pain.

Localization of pain depends on where exactly the gases are accumulated :

• Splenic flexure of the intestine – there is pressure and pain in the left hypochondrium. The pain radiates to the region of the heart.
• Subhepatic flexure of the intestine – feeling of fullness and pain under the right rib. The pain radiates to the right shoulder blade, shoulder and neck.
• Caecum – pain in the right lower abdomen.
• Small intestine – bloating is felt in the area around the navel.

Causes of bloating

Bloating can have many causes, from a can of canned peas for lunch to pancreatitis or irritable bowel syndrome.

Physiological causes

The most common cause of bloating is the consumption of gas-promoting foods.

The fact is that in the intestines the food is finally broken down into the necessary substances, which are absorbed in the small intestine, and unnecessary ones, which enter the large intestine and are excreted during defecation.

Some foods contain complex substances that are difficult to digest, such as fiber or starch. To break them down, bacteria that constantly live in the intestines come to the rescue. Gases are the waste products of such bacteria, which are formed when they process carbohydrates and other substances. The smell and amount of gases depends on what bacteria live in the intestines and how many of them.

A common cause of bloating is the consumption of gas-promoting foods. Gases are waste products of bacteria living in the intestines

Another cause of bloating is swallowing air. This happens when a person is in a hurry and eats or drinks on the go, talking while eating. In this case, the swelling is short-term, and the discomfort disappears with belching.

In addition, bloating is aggravated by smoking and obstructed nasal breathing, because in these cases the person also swallows air through the mouth.

In the elderly, bloating may be associated with age-related changes in the intestines.

After 50-60 years, the intestinal mucosa partially atrophies, peristalsis slows down, so digestion can slow down – gases accumulate and provoke flatulence and bloating.

In pregnant women, bloating often occurs in the later stages. This is due to mechanical compression of the intestines by an enlarged uterus, slowing down of peristalsis due to hormonal changes, as well as an increased load on the liver and pancreas. Usually, relief occurs within a month after childbirth.

In addition, bloating may appear on the background of emotional experiences. For example, a little nervousness due to a morning jam can lead to the release of stress hormones and slow down digestion, causing bloating, pain, or constipation. More serious worries, for example due to an upcoming public speaking, can lead to an acceleration of digestive processes and even diarrhea.

There is no exact relationship between the strength of stress and digestive disorders – these are individual reactions.

The listed causes are physiological and are not considered a sign of illness. As a rule, in such cases, improvement can be achieved by changing the diet or using symptomatic remedies. But there are more serious causes of bloating.

Infections

Against the background of infectious diseases, the bacterial composition of the intestine is disturbed – dysbiosis develops. As a result, gas formation increases – the stomach swells and hurts. In addition, other signs of infection appear – nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever.

Infectious diseases accompanied by bloating :

• acute intestinal infections – dysentery, salmonellosis, rotavirus infection;
• fungal infection of the gastrointestinal tract – intestinal candidiasis caused by fungi of the genus Candida;
• parasitic infections – giardiasis, opisthorchiasis, toxocariasis, echinococcosis, ascariasis, enterobiasis.

Not only the listed, but also any other intestinal infections can lead to bloating, regardless of the pathogen.

Colon pathologies

Abdominal distention is one of the signs of colon damage, which is often combined with constipation and abdominal pain.

Pathologies of the colon accompanied by bloating :

• inflammatory diseases – ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease;
• oncological diseases and precancerous conditions – benign and malignant tumors of the intestine, polyps;
• congenital or acquired enlargement of the colon – megacolon or dolichosigma;
• change in the intestinal lumen – pneumatosis (formation of air cavities), diverticulum (protrusion of the intestinal wall).

Diseases of the esophagus and stomach

Bloating is often seen with inflammation of the upper digestive tract. At the same time, the motility of the gastrointestinal tract is disturbed: gases accumulate and move along it unevenly, provoking discomfort.

Diseases of the esophagus and stomach accompanied by bloating :

• gastroesophageal reflux disease – a chronic disease caused by impaired motility of the organs of the gastroesophageal zone, due to which the contents of the stomach are periodically thrown back into the esophagus;
• hiatal hernia – protrusion of part of the esophagus into the middle compartment of the chest wall.

Malabsorption

Sometimes food is not absorbed properly in the small intestine: there are not enough enzymes. If you are deficient in lactase (the enzyme that breaks down milk sugar) or have an intolerance to gluten (the main protein in cereals), eating the right foods can increase gas production and lead to bloating.

In addition, bloating is caused by malabsorption, a condition resulting from malabsorption of nutrients in the gastrointestinal tract.

Abdominal inflammatory processes

Sudden bloating accompanied by severe pain may be a sign of serious conditions requiring immediate medical attention. This happens with acute inflammation of the abdominal wall – peritonitis, as well as intestinal obstruction.

Severe bloating and absence of flatus are characteristic signs of intestinal obstruction.

In addition, the cause of bloating may be an abnormal accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity – ascites.

Functional disorders of the gastrointestinal tract

Functional disorders are conditions that present with gastrointestinal symptoms without pathological changes.

In functional disorders, the sensitivity of nerve endings in the mucous membrane is disturbed. This makes the stomach feel “something is wrong” and reacts with pain, bloating, or diarrhea when there is really nothing to worry about.

The most common forms of functional disorders of the gastrointestinal tract are irritable bowel syndrome and functional dyspepsia.

Abdominal wall failure

Changes in the anatomical structure of the abdominal wall can also lead to bloating. This happens, for example, with a divergence (diastasis) of the rectus abdominis muscles, a hernia of the white line, or postoperative hernias.

When and which doctor to contact

Bloating occurs periodically in every person and in itself is rarely associated with something dangerous to health. Most often, the stomach swells due to stress, carbonated drinks, a diet rich in complex carbohydrates, a sedentary lifestyle, snacking on the go, or an imbalance in the composition of the intestinal microflora.

If bloating bothers you constantly and interferes with a normal life, you should consult a doctor. You can start with a therapist or immediately sign up with a specialized specialist who treats gastrointestinal problems – a gastroenterologist.

Diagnostics

To understand the exact cause of swelling, the doctor may order laboratory or instrumental studies.

Laboratory methods for diagnosing distension

The most commonly used advanced or basic biochemical study, determine the level of the main enzymes of the pancreas and liver in the blood.

Clinical blood test with leukocyte formula and ESR (with microscopy of a blood smear in case of pathological changes) (venous blood)

Code 3.9.1.

CBC is a blood test that assesses general health, detects inflammation, bacterial, viral and fungal infections, and helps diagnose anemia, hematopoietic diseases, allergic reactions and autoimmune diseases.

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Liver and pancreas

Code 27.56.

The study allows to detect pathologies of the liver and pancreas at an early stage. The complex is especially recommended for patients who experience unpleasant pain in the upper abdomen, nausea, vomiting, bitterness in the mouth.

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To assess the chemical composition and physical properties of the contents of the large intestine, as well as to conduct a microscopic analysis for pathogenic microflora, the doctor may prescribe a coprogram, tests for fecal calprotectin, pancreatic elastase enzyme, Clostridium difficile toxins in feces, analysis for helminth eggs. To exclude inflammatory and oncological diseases of the intestine, an analysis for occult blood in the feces is used.

Coprogram

Code 21.2.

Analysis includes physicochemical and microscopic examination of feces. The study is prescribed to identify pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract.

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Calprotectin in feces

Code 26. 44.

Calprotectin test in feces helps to find the cause of abdominal pain and gastrointestinal bleeding, distinguish inflammatory bowel diseases (ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease) from non-inflammatory ones and monitor the effectiveness of treatment.

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2 700 ₽

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2,700 ₽

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Pancreatic elastase 1

Code 2 1.9.

Pancreatic elastase is a pancreatic enzyme involved in the digestion of food. The analysis helps to identify a malfunction of the pancreas – pancreatic insufficiency.

230 bonuses

2,300 ₽

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8 days

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2 300 ₽

230 bonuses

8 days

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2 300 ₽

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Toxin A and B (Clostridium difficile, pseudomembranous colitis) , antigen test

Code 186. 0.

The test can detect toxins from stool samples produced by the bacterium Clostridium difficile and diagnose pseudomembranous colitis, an inflammation of the large intestine.

132 bonuses

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1 320 ₽

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Add to cart helminths

Code 21.5.

Examination of biomaterial under a microscope makes it possible to detect eggs of helminths (worms) in feces and to diagnose diseases caused by them – helminthiases.

34 bonuses

340 ₽

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1 day

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340 ₽

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Test “Colon View Hb and Hb/Hp” for fecal occult blood (detection of hemoglobin or hemoglobin/haptoglobin complex in feces)

Code 21. 10.

The analysis reveals occult bleeding from the lower gastrointestinal tract. It is used in the framework of screening for colorectal cancer and precancerous conditions.

110 bonuses

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1 day

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In addition, tests for gluten and lactose are used to detect intolerance to these nutrients.

Celiac disease: advanced screening

Code 28.549.

Comprehensive serological examination reveals antibodies to the connective tissues of the small intestine, as well as to gliadin, a component of the cereal gluten protein. It is used when celiac disease is suspected and to control the treatment of this disease. 914 days blood 140 ₽

3 320 ₽

332 bonuses

14 days

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Ven. blood 140 ₽

3 320 ₽

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Lactose intolerance

Code GNP032

Study of polymorphism (varieties) in the regulatory region (MCM6) of the gene encoding lactase enzyme (LCT). Allows you to identify the genetic causes of lactose intolerance – the inability of the body to fully absorb milk and dairy products in adulthood due to a lack of an enzyme.

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990 ₽

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Taking (2) +480 ₽

Ven. blood 140 ₽

DNA extraction 340 ₽

990 ₽

99 bonuses

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Taking (2) +480 ₽

900 02 Ven. blood 140 ₽

DNA isolation 340 ₽

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Instrumental methods for diagnosing bloating

Esophagogastroduodenoscopy , or gastroscopy: a doctor using an endoscope – a flexible tube with a camera at the end – examines the mucous membrane of the esophagus, stomach and initial sections of the intestine from the inside. In this way, inflammation, mucosal defects or tumors can be detected.

Colonoscopy is another endoscopic examination that allows you to assess the condition of the mucous membrane of the lower intestine. During colonoscopy, the endoscope is inserted through the anus.; The study requires special preparation.

Ultrasound of the abdominal cavity – allows you to quickly and non-invasively assess the condition of the biliary tract, liver, spleen, blood vessels, detect tumors, cysts or other changes.

X-ray – allows you to assess the general condition of the internal organs and motility of the small and large intestines (X-ray with barium), exclude intestinal obstruction.

Treatment of bloating

Treatment will depend on the cause of the swelling. So, in infectious diseases of the intestine, therapy will be aimed at destroying pathogens and restoring the balance of microflora, with gastritis – at restoring the gastric mucosa, and with lactase deficiency – at the exclusion of milk from the diet.

Only a doctor should determine the exact cause of swelling and prescribe treatment.

If bloating is not associated with diseases or pathological conditions, you can try to help yourself by slightly changing your lifestyle and adding good habits.

How to relieve bloating

Gas is an individual reaction, therefore, before you actively fight bloating, you should observe yourself and highlight those foods, medicines or conditions after which the stomach begins to rebel. Then it will become clear what the reason is – in shawarma, soup with beans or emotional experiences.

If the culprit is found, try to exclude him from life, or at least limit him, in order to check whether he really was the case.

What else will help to cope with bloating

Physical activity

After eating, it is definitely not recommended to lie down or sit crouched at the computer. At least 20 minutes after eating, you should be in an upright position with a straight back. If you want, you can take a walk – this will help reduce bloating.

Restriction of products that increase gas formation

Legumes, cabbage, milk, black bread, eggs contribute to increased gas formation, but this is an individual reaction.

Often, bloating is due to the fact that the foods consumed contain a lot of fiber. But fiber is an integral part of a healthy diet and it is not recommended to completely exclude it from the diet.

If a person has never eaten it regularly, then you should gradually add legumes, vegetables and fruits to the diet to find your optimal portion.

Falafel increases gas production due to high fiber content

Fermented products

If gas is associated with an imbalance of microbes in the gut, foods containing beneficial bacteria (probiotics) will help. Food sources of beneficial bacteria include canned vegetables and fruits, kefir or yogurt.

Mindful eating

Chewing food thoroughly and not talking while eating is not just a lecture for small children, but an important step that will help not swallow excess air and at the same time make the process of eating more conscious and enjoyable. In addition, a slow meal helps to normalize weight, because satiety signals do not reach the brain until 20 minutes after the first bite has entered the mouth.