Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsBloatingDistensionCausesTreatmentFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Bloating
Distension
Causes
Treatment
Frequently Asked Questions
People withirritable bowel syndrome (IBS)often experience bloating and abdominal distension, which visible outward swelling. While these symptoms can affect anyone from time to time, IBS bloating and stomach distension can be persistent.
This article discusses the root causes and underlying mechanisms behind IBS bloating and distention. It also details medications to treat uncomfortable IBS symptoms and home remedies that can bring relief.
12 Quick Ways to Relieve Bloating
Waridsara Pitakpon / EyeEm / Getty Images
Up to 90% of people who are diagnosed with IBS report bloating, and the percentage is even higher for those withconstipation-predominant IBS (IBS-C).
While it’s most common in IBS-C and mixed-type IBS, about half of those withdiarrhea-predominant IBS (IBS-D)experience it, too.
However, bloating isn’t listed as part of theRome IV criteriafor diagnosing IBS.
What Is Rome IV?Rome IV includes diagnostic criteria for IBS. It is periodically updated to incorporate new research. The first version came out in 1988 at the 13th International Congress of Gastroenterology in Rome, Italy, hence the name “Rome criteria.”
What Is Rome IV?
Rome IV includes diagnostic criteria for IBS. It is periodically updated to incorporate new research. The first version came out in 1988 at the 13th International Congress of Gastroenterology in Rome, Italy, hence the name “Rome criteria.”
Distension differs frombloatingin that it involves a measurable change in abdominal circumference (the measurement around your waist at the largest part).
Distension typically worsens as the day wears on. You may also find that your abdomen gets more distended after you have eaten.
It’s estimated that approximately half of all people who have IBS experience distension. Distension and bloating often occur simultaneously, but it is thought that they result from different bodily processes.
Why Does IBS Make My Belly Swell?
Studies show that excessive gas is responsible for about 25% of the bloating associated with IBS and other functional gastrointestinal (GI) disorders.
Several underlying mechanisms are being investigated as possible causes of IBS bloating. It’s possible that many of them are interrelated.
Some possible underlying mechanisms include:
Evidence also suggests that bloating may especially be a problem for people who have other digestive issues in addition to IBS.
These include:
People who have IBS-C are more likely to have bloating and distension if it takes longer for digested material to travel through the colon.
Bloating and Quality of LifeBloating has a negative impact on quality of life. In surveys, it runs neck-and-neck with abdominal pain as the most severesymptom of IBS. In one survey, a quarter of people with IBS-C ranked it as their most bothersome symptom.
Bloating and Quality of Life
Bloating has a negative impact on quality of life. In surveys, it runs neck-and-neck with abdominal pain as the most severesymptom of IBS. In one survey, a quarter of people with IBS-C ranked it as their most bothersome symptom.
How to Balance Your Gut Flora
What Relieves IBS Bloating?
Bloating is a notoriously difficult symptom to treat.However, you do have several options to explore to get rid of bloating.
IBS is different for everyone, so expect to do a lot of experimentation before finding what works best for you. Try not to get frustrated when your experience doesn’t match that of other people with this condition.
IBS Medications
No treatments are definitively proven to improve IBS bloating. Common drugs that doctors may recommend include:
IBS Drug Treatment Options
Other IBS Treatments
While medications may help, they may not alleviate all of your symptoms. Many people with IBS include other types of treatments in their regimen, including:
Warning: Peppermint OilPeppermint oil is soothing to the muscle cells that line much of your GI tract, which can ease IBS symptoms. However, it can also relax the sphincter between your stomach and esophagus, which often leads to heartburn and reflux. To avoid this, be sure to take peppermint oil capsules that are enteric-coated, as the coating won’t dissolve until it reaches your intestines.
Warning: Peppermint Oil
Peppermint oil is soothing to the muscle cells that line much of your GI tract, which can ease IBS symptoms. However, it can also relax the sphincter between your stomach and esophagus, which often leads to heartburn and reflux. To avoid this, be sure to take peppermint oil capsules that are enteric-coated, as the coating won’t dissolve until it reaches your intestines.
While they’ve received less scientific attention than other types of treatments, some evidence supports the use ofmind-body treatmentsfor IBS.
New IBS Treatment Guidelines
Frequently Asked QuestionsAn IBS flare-up typically lasts two to five days.In addition to bloating, you might experienceconstipation or extreme diarrhea, cramping, and emotional symptoms such asanxiety.Treat constipation. Laxatives and stool softeners are commonly used. In particular, polyethylene glycol (PEG) is often recommended for people with IBS-C. It works to retain water in the stools, softening them. This helps increase bowel movements.While every person with IBS is different, foods that commonly cause bloating and stomach irritation in people with IBS include:CaffeineCarbonated beveragesCertain fruits that are high in fructose, including apples and pearsDairy products, including milk, cheese, and ice creamHigh fructose corn syrup, which is common in soft drinks and candySugar-free gum and candy made with sugar alcohols, such as sorbitol and xylitolLearn MoreAlcohol and Bloating
An IBS flare-up typically lasts two to five days.In addition to bloating, you might experienceconstipation or extreme diarrhea, cramping, and emotional symptoms such asanxiety.
Treat constipation. Laxatives and stool softeners are commonly used. In particular, polyethylene glycol (PEG) is often recommended for people with IBS-C. It works to retain water in the stools, softening them. This helps increase bowel movements.
While every person with IBS is different, foods that commonly cause bloating and stomach irritation in people with IBS include:CaffeineCarbonated beveragesCertain fruits that are high in fructose, including apples and pearsDairy products, including milk, cheese, and ice creamHigh fructose corn syrup, which is common in soft drinks and candySugar-free gum and candy made with sugar alcohols, such as sorbitol and xylitolLearn MoreAlcohol and Bloating
While every person with IBS is different, foods that commonly cause bloating and stomach irritation in people with IBS include:CaffeineCarbonated beveragesCertain fruits that are high in fructose, including apples and pearsDairy products, including milk, cheese, and ice creamHigh fructose corn syrup, which is common in soft drinks and candySugar-free gum and candy made with sugar alcohols, such as sorbitol and xylitol
While every person with IBS is different, foods that commonly cause bloating and stomach irritation in people with IBS include:
Learn MoreAlcohol and Bloating
16 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.Lacy BE, Cangemi D, Vazquez-Roque M.Management of chronic abdominal distension and bloating.Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2021;19(2):219-231.e1. doi:10.1016/j.cgh.2020.03.056Safaee A, Moghimi-Dehkordi B, Pourhoseingholi MA, et al.Bloating in irritable bowel syndrome.Gastroenterol Hepatol Bed Bench.Schmulson MJ, Drossman DA.What is new in Rome IV.J Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2017;23(2):151-163. doi:10.5056/jnm16214International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders.Understanding bloating and distention.Moser G, Fournier C, Peter J.Intestinal microbiome-gut-brain axis and irritable bowel syndrome. Intestinale Mikrobiom-Darm-Hirn-Achse und Reizdarmsyndrom.Wien Med Wochenschr. 2018;168(3-4):62-66. doi:10.1007/s10354-017-0592-0Cozma-Petruţ A, Loghin F, Miere D, Dumitraşcu DL.Diet in irritable bowel syndrome: What to recommend, not what to forbid to patients!World J Gastroenterol. 2017;23(21):3771-3783. doi:10.3748/wjg.v23.i21.3771Harvard Medical School, Harvard Health Publishing.Leaky gut: What is it, and what does it mean for you?Lazaridis N, Germanidis G.Current insights into the innate immune system dysfunction in irritable bowel syndrome.Ann Gastroenterol. 2018;31(2):171-187. doi:10.20524/aog.2018.0229Chey WD, Lembo AJ, Rosenbaum DP.Efficacy of tenapanor in treating patients with irritable bowel syndrome with constipation: A 12-week, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial (T3MPO-1).Am J Gastroenterol. 2020;115(2):281-293. doi:10.14309/ajg.0000000000000516Issa B, Morris J, Whorwell PJ.Abdominal distension in health and irritable bowel syndrome: The effect of bladder filling.Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2018;30(11):e13437. doi:10.1111/nmo.13437Ford AC, Moayyedi P, Chey WD, et al.American College of Gastroenterology monograph on management of irritable bowel syndrome.Am J Gastroenterol. 2018;113(Suppl 2):1-18. doi:10.1038/s41395-018-0084-xAlammar N, Wang L, Saberi B, et al.The impact of peppermint oil on the irritable bowel syndrome: A meta-analysis of the pooled clinical data.BMC Complement Altern Med. 2019;19(1):21. Published 2019 Jan 17. doi:10.1186/s12906-018-2409-0Lakhan SE, Schofield KL.Mindfulness-based therapies in the treatment of somatization disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis.PLoS One. 2013;8(8):e71834. Published 2013 Aug 26. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0071834Palsson OS, Baggish J, Whitehead WE.Episodic nature of symptoms in irritable bowel syndrome.American Journal of Gastroenterology. 2014;109(9):1450-1460.doi:10.1038/ajg.2014.181American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.Understanding irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C).Johns Hopikins Medicine.5 Foods to avoid if you have IBS.Additional ReadingLacy BE, Cangemi D, Vazquez-Roque M.Management of chronic abdominal distension and bloating.Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2021;19(2):219-231.e1. doi:10.1016/j.cgh.2020.03.056Rome Foundation.Rome IV criteria: Appendix A: Rome IV diagnostic criteria for FGIDs.
16 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.Lacy BE, Cangemi D, Vazquez-Roque M.Management of chronic abdominal distension and bloating.Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2021;19(2):219-231.e1. doi:10.1016/j.cgh.2020.03.056Safaee A, Moghimi-Dehkordi B, Pourhoseingholi MA, et al.Bloating in irritable bowel syndrome.Gastroenterol Hepatol Bed Bench.Schmulson MJ, Drossman DA.What is new in Rome IV.J Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2017;23(2):151-163. doi:10.5056/jnm16214International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders.Understanding bloating and distention.Moser G, Fournier C, Peter J.Intestinal microbiome-gut-brain axis and irritable bowel syndrome. Intestinale Mikrobiom-Darm-Hirn-Achse und Reizdarmsyndrom.Wien Med Wochenschr. 2018;168(3-4):62-66. doi:10.1007/s10354-017-0592-0Cozma-Petruţ A, Loghin F, Miere D, Dumitraşcu DL.Diet in irritable bowel syndrome: What to recommend, not what to forbid to patients!World J Gastroenterol. 2017;23(21):3771-3783. doi:10.3748/wjg.v23.i21.3771Harvard Medical School, Harvard Health Publishing.Leaky gut: What is it, and what does it mean for you?Lazaridis N, Germanidis G.Current insights into the innate immune system dysfunction in irritable bowel syndrome.Ann Gastroenterol. 2018;31(2):171-187. doi:10.20524/aog.2018.0229Chey WD, Lembo AJ, Rosenbaum DP.Efficacy of tenapanor in treating patients with irritable bowel syndrome with constipation: A 12-week, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial (T3MPO-1).Am J Gastroenterol. 2020;115(2):281-293. doi:10.14309/ajg.0000000000000516Issa B, Morris J, Whorwell PJ.Abdominal distension in health and irritable bowel syndrome: The effect of bladder filling.Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2018;30(11):e13437. doi:10.1111/nmo.13437Ford AC, Moayyedi P, Chey WD, et al.American College of Gastroenterology monograph on management of irritable bowel syndrome.Am J Gastroenterol. 2018;113(Suppl 2):1-18. doi:10.1038/s41395-018-0084-xAlammar N, Wang L, Saberi B, et al.The impact of peppermint oil on the irritable bowel syndrome: A meta-analysis of the pooled clinical data.BMC Complement Altern Med. 2019;19(1):21. Published 2019 Jan 17. doi:10.1186/s12906-018-2409-0Lakhan SE, Schofield KL.Mindfulness-based therapies in the treatment of somatization disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis.PLoS One. 2013;8(8):e71834. Published 2013 Aug 26. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0071834Palsson OS, Baggish J, Whitehead WE.Episodic nature of symptoms in irritable bowel syndrome.American Journal of Gastroenterology. 2014;109(9):1450-1460.doi:10.1038/ajg.2014.181American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.Understanding irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C).Johns Hopikins Medicine.5 Foods to avoid if you have IBS.Additional ReadingLacy BE, Cangemi D, Vazquez-Roque M.Management of chronic abdominal distension and bloating.Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2021;19(2):219-231.e1. doi:10.1016/j.cgh.2020.03.056Rome Foundation.Rome IV criteria: Appendix A: Rome IV diagnostic criteria for FGIDs.
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.
Lacy BE, Cangemi D, Vazquez-Roque M.Management of chronic abdominal distension and bloating.Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2021;19(2):219-231.e1. doi:10.1016/j.cgh.2020.03.056Safaee A, Moghimi-Dehkordi B, Pourhoseingholi MA, et al.Bloating in irritable bowel syndrome.Gastroenterol Hepatol Bed Bench.Schmulson MJ, Drossman DA.What is new in Rome IV.J Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2017;23(2):151-163. doi:10.5056/jnm16214International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders.Understanding bloating and distention.Moser G, Fournier C, Peter J.Intestinal microbiome-gut-brain axis and irritable bowel syndrome. Intestinale Mikrobiom-Darm-Hirn-Achse und Reizdarmsyndrom.Wien Med Wochenschr. 2018;168(3-4):62-66. doi:10.1007/s10354-017-0592-0Cozma-Petruţ A, Loghin F, Miere D, Dumitraşcu DL.Diet in irritable bowel syndrome: What to recommend, not what to forbid to patients!World J Gastroenterol. 2017;23(21):3771-3783. doi:10.3748/wjg.v23.i21.3771Harvard Medical School, Harvard Health Publishing.Leaky gut: What is it, and what does it mean for you?Lazaridis N, Germanidis G.Current insights into the innate immune system dysfunction in irritable bowel syndrome.Ann Gastroenterol. 2018;31(2):171-187. doi:10.20524/aog.2018.0229Chey WD, Lembo AJ, Rosenbaum DP.Efficacy of tenapanor in treating patients with irritable bowel syndrome with constipation: A 12-week, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial (T3MPO-1).Am J Gastroenterol. 2020;115(2):281-293. doi:10.14309/ajg.0000000000000516Issa B, Morris J, Whorwell PJ.Abdominal distension in health and irritable bowel syndrome: The effect of bladder filling.Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2018;30(11):e13437. doi:10.1111/nmo.13437Ford AC, Moayyedi P, Chey WD, et al.American College of Gastroenterology monograph on management of irritable bowel syndrome.Am J Gastroenterol. 2018;113(Suppl 2):1-18. doi:10.1038/s41395-018-0084-xAlammar N, Wang L, Saberi B, et al.The impact of peppermint oil on the irritable bowel syndrome: A meta-analysis of the pooled clinical data.BMC Complement Altern Med. 2019;19(1):21. Published 2019 Jan 17. doi:10.1186/s12906-018-2409-0Lakhan SE, Schofield KL.Mindfulness-based therapies in the treatment of somatization disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis.PLoS One. 2013;8(8):e71834. Published 2013 Aug 26. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0071834Palsson OS, Baggish J, Whitehead WE.Episodic nature of symptoms in irritable bowel syndrome.American Journal of Gastroenterology. 2014;109(9):1450-1460.doi:10.1038/ajg.2014.181American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.Understanding irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C).Johns Hopikins Medicine.5 Foods to avoid if you have IBS.
Lacy BE, Cangemi D, Vazquez-Roque M.Management of chronic abdominal distension and bloating.Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2021;19(2):219-231.e1. doi:10.1016/j.cgh.2020.03.056
Safaee A, Moghimi-Dehkordi B, Pourhoseingholi MA, et al.Bloating in irritable bowel syndrome.Gastroenterol Hepatol Bed Bench.
Schmulson MJ, Drossman DA.What is new in Rome IV.J Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2017;23(2):151-163. doi:10.5056/jnm16214
International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders.Understanding bloating and distention.
Moser G, Fournier C, Peter J.Intestinal microbiome-gut-brain axis and irritable bowel syndrome. Intestinale Mikrobiom-Darm-Hirn-Achse und Reizdarmsyndrom.Wien Med Wochenschr. 2018;168(3-4):62-66. doi:10.1007/s10354-017-0592-0
Cozma-Petruţ A, Loghin F, Miere D, Dumitraşcu DL.Diet in irritable bowel syndrome: What to recommend, not what to forbid to patients!World J Gastroenterol. 2017;23(21):3771-3783. doi:10.3748/wjg.v23.i21.3771
Harvard Medical School, Harvard Health Publishing.Leaky gut: What is it, and what does it mean for you?
Lazaridis N, Germanidis G.Current insights into the innate immune system dysfunction in irritable bowel syndrome.Ann Gastroenterol. 2018;31(2):171-187. doi:10.20524/aog.2018.0229
Chey WD, Lembo AJ, Rosenbaum DP.Efficacy of tenapanor in treating patients with irritable bowel syndrome with constipation: A 12-week, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial (T3MPO-1).Am J Gastroenterol. 2020;115(2):281-293. doi:10.14309/ajg.0000000000000516
Issa B, Morris J, Whorwell PJ.Abdominal distension in health and irritable bowel syndrome: The effect of bladder filling.Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2018;30(11):e13437. doi:10.1111/nmo.13437
Ford AC, Moayyedi P, Chey WD, et al.American College of Gastroenterology monograph on management of irritable bowel syndrome.Am J Gastroenterol. 2018;113(Suppl 2):1-18. doi:10.1038/s41395-018-0084-x
Alammar N, Wang L, Saberi B, et al.The impact of peppermint oil on the irritable bowel syndrome: A meta-analysis of the pooled clinical data.BMC Complement Altern Med. 2019;19(1):21. Published 2019 Jan 17. doi:10.1186/s12906-018-2409-0
Lakhan SE, Schofield KL.Mindfulness-based therapies in the treatment of somatization disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis.PLoS One. 2013;8(8):e71834. Published 2013 Aug 26. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0071834
Palsson OS, Baggish J, Whitehead WE.Episodic nature of symptoms in irritable bowel syndrome.American Journal of Gastroenterology. 2014;109(9):1450-1460.doi:10.1038/ajg.2014.181
American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.Understanding irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C).
Johns Hopikins Medicine.5 Foods to avoid if you have IBS.
Lacy BE, Cangemi D, Vazquez-Roque M.Management of chronic abdominal distension and bloating.Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2021;19(2):219-231.e1. doi:10.1016/j.cgh.2020.03.056Rome Foundation.Rome IV criteria: Appendix A: Rome IV diagnostic criteria for FGIDs.
Rome Foundation.Rome IV criteria: Appendix A: Rome IV diagnostic criteria for FGIDs.
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