Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is Abdominal Bloating?CausesWhen to See a ProviderDiagnosisSelf-CarePrevention
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is Abdominal Bloating?
Causes
When to See a Provider
Diagnosis
Self-Care
Prevention
Bloating is a common symptom that can have a variety of causes—from simply swallowing too much air to serious conditions like infection and cancer. Sometimes, people report feeling so bloated they think they look pregnant!
It can present as a feeling of indigestion or a tight abdomen, but some people can visually see that their belly is distended or their clothes feel too tight around the middle. If your bloating is persistent or getting worse, you should see a healthcare provider.
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Bloatingis a common feeling with many potential causes. It results in an uncomfortable sensation of fullness or tightness that can visually enlarge the stomach and cause clothing to feel too small. Up to 30% of the population reports feeling bloated at some point.
Dietary habits, specific food intolerances, or underlying medical issues ranging from infection to cancer—though those are less common—can contribute to bloating. Diagnosing the reasons for bloating is key to managing it.
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What Causes Abdominal Bloating?
The reasons your abdomen might be bloated vary widely, from simple reasons to more serious ones. Several of the reasons for bloating relate to food, while others have to do with infection or even cancer.
Food
Food is one of the most common reasons for bloating. Diet, food intolerance, and eating habits are all factors that can increase the risk of bloating.
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Infections
Several infections can cause bloating or fullness in the abdominal area.
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Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian cancerisn’t the most common cause of abdominal swelling and bloating, but persistent, long-term bloating is one of theearliest signsof this disease.It is also a symptom that is frequently ignored. The bloating may be so bad that one can’t button their pants or may even have to go up a size.
Bloating vs. SwellingBloating and swelling are not the same. Abdominal bloating is afeelingthat your abdomen is bigger (such as feeling too full after a meal) while swelling is a measurable increase in size.
Bloating vs. Swelling
Bloating and swelling are not the same. Abdominal bloating is afeelingthat your abdomen is bigger (such as feeling too full after a meal) while swelling is a measurable increase in size.
Other Cancers
Though tumors are not a common cause of abdominal swelling or bloating, they are serious ones. Tumors anywhere in the abdominal or pelvic region can be large enough to cause visible swelling or a lump that you can feel with your hands. More commonly, a tumor can cause inflammation, bowel obstruction, or ascites (fluid buildup in the abdomen)—which may lead to swelling.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Abdominal bloating is very common, but abdominal swelling is not. Sometimes, bloating is a sign that you ate too much, and sometimes, it is a sign of a medical condition. If your symptoms are worsening or persistent, talk to your healthcare provider.
If you are worried, it’s better to talk to your provider or get medical attention than wait.
Diagnosing Abdominal Bloating
Often, abdominal bloating is nonspecific in location, and pain can radiate (travel) from its source to another area. Because abdominal swelling and bloating have many causes, the diagnosis often has to be speedy. This can help you get prompt treatment for certain serious causes, such as bowel obstruction or appendicitis.
Your healthcare provider will first take your medical history and perform a physical examination to assess your abdominal bloating and swelling. You will be asked about the duration, pattern, and location of your pain, any associated symptoms you are experiencing, and whether anything makes it better or worse.
Your physical examination includes assessing whether you are in distress and your temperature, pulse, blood pressure, and breathing rate.
Your provider will examine you to determine whether you have a specific location of pain or swelling. For example, a sense of bloating in the upper abdominal area could be associated with a peptic ulcer, while swelling in the lower abdomen on one side is more likely to be associated with an ovarian cyst.
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Diagnostic tests can include:
Additional tests may include minimally invasive tests. During anendoscopy, a tube is placed into the throat; during acolonoscopy, a tube is placed in the colon so your doctor can view areas of potential disease.
Abdominal bloating and swelling can be uncomfortable or even painful. Though the cause isn’t always serious, you should talk to your healthcare provider if you have bloating that doesn’t come and go, fails to respond to self-care treatment at home, or if it lasts more than a week or two,
Your healthcare provider will be able to determine what is causing your discomfort and help you find relief from your symptoms. They’ll also be able to coordinate treatment for the underlying cause.
Self-Care for Bloating
Simple abdominal bloating without symptoms of concern may respond well to self-care at home. Some things you can try include:
Preventing Bloating
Preventing bloating will depend on whether you can pinpoint the cause of your bloating. Here are some tips to prevent bloating:
Summary
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4 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Mari A, Abu Backer F, Mahamid M, et al.Bloating and abdominal distension: clinical approach and management.Adv Ther. 2019;36(5):1075-1084. doi:10.1007/s12325-019-00924-7Rush University.5 early signs of ovarian cancer.Fifi AC, Axelrod CH, Chakraborty P, Saps M.Herbs and spices in the treatment of functional gastrointestinal disorders: a review of clinical trials.Nutrients. 2018;10(11):1715. doi:10.3390/nu10111715Satish Kumar L, Pugalenthi LS, Ahmad M, Reddy S, Barkhane Z, Elmadi J.Probiotics in irritable bowel syndrome: a review of their therapeutic role.Cureus. 2021;14(4):e24240. doi:10.7759/cureus.24240
4 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Mari A, Abu Backer F, Mahamid M, et al.Bloating and abdominal distension: clinical approach and management.Adv Ther. 2019;36(5):1075-1084. doi:10.1007/s12325-019-00924-7Rush University.5 early signs of ovarian cancer.Fifi AC, Axelrod CH, Chakraborty P, Saps M.Herbs and spices in the treatment of functional gastrointestinal disorders: a review of clinical trials.Nutrients. 2018;10(11):1715. doi:10.3390/nu10111715Satish Kumar L, Pugalenthi LS, Ahmad M, Reddy S, Barkhane Z, Elmadi J.Probiotics in irritable bowel syndrome: a review of their therapeutic role.Cureus. 2021;14(4):e24240. doi:10.7759/cureus.24240
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Mari A, Abu Backer F, Mahamid M, et al.Bloating and abdominal distension: clinical approach and management.Adv Ther. 2019;36(5):1075-1084. doi:10.1007/s12325-019-00924-7Rush University.5 early signs of ovarian cancer.Fifi AC, Axelrod CH, Chakraborty P, Saps M.Herbs and spices in the treatment of functional gastrointestinal disorders: a review of clinical trials.Nutrients. 2018;10(11):1715. doi:10.3390/nu10111715Satish Kumar L, Pugalenthi LS, Ahmad M, Reddy S, Barkhane Z, Elmadi J.Probiotics in irritable bowel syndrome: a review of their therapeutic role.Cureus. 2021;14(4):e24240. doi:10.7759/cureus.24240
Mari A, Abu Backer F, Mahamid M, et al.Bloating and abdominal distension: clinical approach and management.Adv Ther. 2019;36(5):1075-1084. doi:10.1007/s12325-019-00924-7
Rush University.5 early signs of ovarian cancer.
Fifi AC, Axelrod CH, Chakraborty P, Saps M.Herbs and spices in the treatment of functional gastrointestinal disorders: a review of clinical trials.Nutrients. 2018;10(11):1715. doi:10.3390/nu10111715
Satish Kumar L, Pugalenthi LS, Ahmad M, Reddy S, Barkhane Z, Elmadi J.Probiotics in irritable bowel syndrome: a review of their therapeutic role.Cureus. 2021;14(4):e24240. doi:10.7759/cureus.24240
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