What Is Bloating?
![Various over-the-counter remedies can treat bloating -- Beano can help digest gas-causing vegetables, lactase supplements can address dairy issues and Pepto Bismol or simethicone can relieve gas. Dietary changes are the best way to prevent bloating, however.](https://images.medicinenet.com/images/article/main_image/feeling-bloated.jpg?output-quality=75)
Bloating is usually a result of excess gas that causes a distended abdomen. It also commonly occurs in women during their menstrual cycle about 1 to 2 weeks before the menstrual period.
What Are Symptoms of Bloating?
The main symptoms of bloating include:
- Abdominal distention
- Feeling of fullness in the belly
Bloating may be accompanied by:
- Gas (flatulence)
- Belching
See a doctor if the following symptoms accompany bloating:
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
- Blood in stool
- Unexplained weight loss
- Loss of appetite
- Fever
- Vomiting
What Causes Bloating?
Causes of bloating include:
- Gas buildup in the large intestine (colon)
- The colon bends a lot, and when air (gas) gets trapped in the bends, it may cause cramps or sharp pains
- Causes of gas include:
- Swallowing air, often while eating, drinking, or smoking
- Eating certain foods, such as beans, broccoli, fruit, wheat, potatoes, and corn
- Problems digesting certain foods, such as dairy products and wheat
- Conditions that harm the digestive system
- Constipation
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)
- Gastroparesis
- Certain gynecological conditions
- Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
How Is Bloating Diagnosed?
Bloating is a symptom of another underlying condition. To diagnose the cause of bloating, tests may include:
- Stool tests to check for blood, unusual levels of fat, and other things
- Blood tests to check for gluten intolerance
- Breath test to check for lactose intolerance or overgrowth of bacteria in the intestines
- X-rays to check the intestines
- Upper endoscopy
- Colonoscopy
- Pelvic examination in women
What Is the Treatment for Bloating?
Treatment for bloating depends on the cause and may include:
- Dietary changes
- Eating more slowly
- Lactase supplements to help digest dairy products such as Lactaid
- Over-the-counter (OTC) medicines
- Simethicone (Maalox Anti-Gas, Mylanta Gas, Gas-X, or Phazyme) to help break up gas bubbles in the intestines
- Beano to help digest beans and some vegetables
- Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol) to help ease gas
- Digestive enzymes such as amylase, lipase, protease, or HCL can help relieve bloating fast
- Prescription medications
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