Abdominal bloating occurs when the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is filled with air or gas. But in some cases, bloating also relates to a chronic underlying condition.

 

Signs or symptoms
 

Patients notice a feeling of fullness or pressure in the abdomen, or they may experience abdominal pain, or cramps. And people can see an observable increase in the size of abdomen.

 

 

 

Causes
 

Sometimes the bloating is associated with food or eating and it may go away within a day or two. However, some of the disorders can cause bloating:

1. Constipation - It is defined by fewer than three bowel movements per week, hard or dry stools, the need to strain to move the bowels, and a sense of an incomplete evacuation. 
2. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) – The symptoms of IBS typically include cramping, bloating, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, or constipation and will last for three or more months.
3. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) – It is an inflammation of the lining of the gastrointestinal tract, including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. IBS and IBD have different causes, but share similar symptoms.
4. Gastroparesis – It is a motility disorder, which means there is no physical obstruction preventing timely digestion, but rather difficulty regulating muscular activity. Bloating is among the common symptoms.
5. Cancer – Colon, ovarian, stomach, and pancreatic cancer are among the cancers that can have bloating as a symptom.

 

Diagnosis
 

Temporary bloating is usually not serious. If it happens all the time, patients need to seek medical attention at the earliest. In some cases, doctor may order some further tests including an imaging test to look inside the abdomen.

 

 

 

Treatment
 

For temporary bloating, doctor may prescribe the over-the-counter medicines that relieve gas and bloating. These could include simethicone or charcoal caps. Probiotics (such as some types of yogurt) can relieve the belly discomfort, too.

If the bloating is due to medical conditions, doctor will treat the underlying cause.

 

 

 

Prevention
 

There are ways to prevent and avoid bloating:

• Reduce or avoid drinking carbonated drinks (such as soda).
• Avoid chewing gum, which may lead to swallowing air.
• Reduce or avoid eating and drinking foods and drinks that include fructose or sorbitol.
• Slow down when you eat.
• Eat more foods high in fiber to prevent constipation. If foods alone don’t help, consider taking a fibre supplement.
• Avoid dairy products when noticing gas and bloating.
• Quit smoking.

 

*The above information is for reference only, please consult your doctor for detail.