| Login | Register
LIVESTRONG.COM Blog: 10 Mistakes People Make in the Gym with DietTribe's Jessie Pavelka
  • Food & Fitness
  • Members

Abdominal Bloating

Text size:  |  Print  |   | 

Definition

Abdominal bloating is a condition in which the abdomen (belly) feels full and tight.



Alternative names

Bloating; Meteorism



Causes

Air swallowing (a nervous habit) Constipation Excess gas in the bowel Irritable bowel syndrome Lactose intolerance and other food intolerances Overeating Partial bowel obstruction Small bowel bacterial overgrowth ascites ovarian cancer



Definition

Abdominal bloating is a condition in which the abdomen (belly) feels full and tight.

Alternative names

Bloating; Meteorism

Causes

ascitesovarian cancer

Content provided by:

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process and privacy policy. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch). The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- 2008 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

Review Date: .3/8/2008

Reviewed By: Christian Stone, MD, Division of Gastroenterology, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.3/8/2008

Abdominal Bloating Videos

Abdominal Bloating Articles

  • How to Beat Bloating

    Reduce salt intake in the diet. Read labels and choose foods low in sodium. Do not add additional salt to foods once they are on the table.

  • How to Flatten the Lower Stomach

    Drink plenty of water to reduce bloating and water retention. Reduce or eliminate carbonated beverages from the diet, which lead to water retention and can cause bloating from the carbon dioxide in...

  • List of Foods That Make You Feel Bloated

    ...rance. Along with bloating, burping and abdominal pain also are common symptoms of gas. Many foods can be culprits in bloating.

  • 4 Ways to Diagnose Symptoms of Frequent Indigestion

    ...able Bowel Syndrome is characterized by abdominal pain and bloating, or your usual upset stomach. IBS also causes an irregular bowel movements, like constipation or diarrhea, and harder or loose...

Show More

Images provided by Google

Related Symptoms

  • Abdominal bloating

    Abdominal bloating is a condition in which the abdomen (belly) feels full and tight.

  • Abdominal pain

    Abdominal pain is pain that you feel anywhere between your chest and groin. This is often referred to as the stomach ...

  • Indigestion

    ...hing, heartburn, a feeling of fullness, bloating, and nausea.

  • Gas - flatulence

    Gas, also called flatus or flatulence, is air in the intestine that is passed through the rectum. Air that is passed ...

Show More

Related Drugs

  • Tegaserod

    Tegaserod is used to relieve pain, bloating, and constipation caused by irritable bowel syndrome (IBS; a condition th...

  • Danazol

    This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

  • Lubiprostone

    ...ing of stools) by relieving symptoms of abdominal pain, bloating, straining, and hard or lumpy stools. Lubiproston...

  • Olsalazine

    This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Show More

Related Diseases

  • Colitis

    Colitis is swelling (inflammation) of the large intestine (colon).

  • Irritable bowel syndrome

    Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) refers to a complex disorder of the lower intestinal tract. It is mainly characterized...

  • Small bowel bacterial overgrowth

    Small bowel bacterial overgrowth is a condition in which very large numbers of bacteria grow in the small intestine.

  • Gastric cancer

    Gastric cancer is cancer that starts in the stomach.

  • Celiac disease - sprue

    Celiac disease is an inherited, autoimmune disease in which the lining of the small intestine is damaged from eating ...

Related Surgeries

  • Anti-reflux surgery

    ...ce a tube from your stomach through the abdominal wall to keep your stomach in place. This tube will be removed wh...

  • In vitro fertilization (IVF)

    Normally, an egg and sperm are fertilized inside a woman’s body. If the fertilized egg attaches to the lining of th...

Vitamins

  • Juniper

    Juniper berries or berry extracts are used as a fragrance, flavoring and spice in small amounts. Juniper has been use...

  • Perillyl alcohol

    Perillyl alcohol is isolated from the essential oils of several plants including cherries, lavender, peppermint, spea...

  • Chicory

    Chicory is native to Europe and temperate regions in Asia; it has been naturalized to the United States. Traditionall...

  • Lathyrus

    Lathyrus is a genus in the pea family and contains species such as Lathyrus savitus (grass pea) and Lathyrus odorata...

Show More

Related Tests

  • Sigmoidoscopy

    Sigmoidoscopy is an internal examination of the lower large bowel (colon), using an instrument called a sigmoidoscope.

  • ERCP

    Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is a procedure used to identify stones, tumors, or narrowing in...

  • Colonoscopy

    A colonoscopy is an internal examination of the colon (large intestine), using an instrument called a colonoscope.

Conversations On Abdominal Bloating

  • lower abdominal bloating


    • Posted On July 26, 2008 08:49:05 PM

      ...been experiencing this disgusting lower abdominal bloating when i eat. i've been told that anorexic's stomach feel bloated when they eat, but this isn't my stomach. its like...my bladder or some... Read More

    • Posted On July 27, 2008 06:59:50 PM

      ...bad idea. My stomach has never been so bloated! I totally look like I'm about 4 months pregnant! Which reminds me...you should also avoid sweeteners. No carbonated drinks...no sweeteners..... Read More

  • abdominal bloat!!!


    • Posted On October 22, 2008 10:39:37 AM

      ...ly, not after eating a lot. It's always bloated with gas or something and it's really frustrating cuz I like to wake up to a flat stomach!!! >< anybody have suggestions, similar experiences? Read More

    • Posted On October 22, 2008 01:48:46 PM

      ...e) but i still get lots of bloating and abdominal discomfort. i think for me it might be associated with eating bread though, because the last few days i've cut it out and feel a lot better, so ... Read More

  • Abdominal Pains From Whole Grain Pasta?


    • Posted On April 22, 2008 05:29:51 PM

      ...in anything gives me abdominal pain and bloating. I'm grain-free now. You could be developing a sensitivity...Or it could be totally random. Just wanted to let you know that yes its uncommon for... Read More

    • Posted On April 22, 2008 05:04:47 PM

      OW! Is it just me!? Read More

  • abdominal fullness w/o eating?>


    • Posted On March 18, 2008 02:56:50 PM

      ... I noticed that my stomach get's really bloated...without eating that much food. I get burpy and gassy.....just from eating one apple, or one egg, or just a little or ANYTHING. It starts hurting... Read More

    • Posted On March 18, 2008 04:18:30 PM

      ...ot like it and am also experiencing the bloating some! Help anyone! Read More

  • Anyone heard of this reason as to why you bloat...


    • Posted On May 22, 2009 06:28:02 PM

      ...ber reading somewhere that a reason for bloating could be from waiting too long between eating. Sort of like those starving kids with the protruding stomachs - anyone else read anything like th... Read More

    • Posted On May 22, 2009 06:50:22 PM

      Starving kids with bloating is caused from a condition called kwashiorkor, a severe protein deficiency. Most people who get bloating have food allergies or sensitivities, irritable bowel syndrome, ... Read More

  • Ibs (irritable bowel syndrome)


    • Posted On October 29, 2008 04:04:57 AM

      ...now how much or what i can eat, without bloating and the bloating can last a few days. any tips or ways to manage? Read More

    • Posted On November 5, 2008 09:54:43 PM

      ...products, or i have horrible pain & bloating. ps: please don't think i am coming down on western medicine- i totally am not, my doctor has been instrumental in many a health issue for me. i... Read More

Show More

Abdominal Bloating Blogs

Tighten Your Tummy

Just had a baby but feel that your tummy isn’t budging? Whip it into shape with the Bamboo Belly Bandit, an abdominal compression binder that helps to tighten and shrink your post-partum belly ($65.95). Designed to help reduce uncomfortable uterine...

Diet with Soluble Fiber Helps IBS Sufferers

Irritable bowel syndrome ( IBS ) is a disorder that affects the large intestine (colon) and comes with symptoms such as cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, gas, diarrhea and constipation. While it doesn’t cause permanent damage to the colon, it can...

Ironwood Receives $75M from Astellas for IBS Drug

While it may not be fatal, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) ranks high in discomfort and embarrassment.  The chronic gastrointestinal disorder is characterized by symptoms such as cramping, bloating, constipation, gas, and diarrhea.  There...

Write for LIVESTRONG.COM

Write for us

Do you work in health, fitness or nutrition? Share your expertise by writing for LIVESTRONG.COM

Learn More

Abdominal Bloating Topic Guide

Advisor

Name Your name here

Profession What do you do?

What makes this topic important to you: Did you train for this? Do you work in this profession? Are you affected by this topic?

Is this topic important to you?

Do you know a lot about it? Become a guide and lead the conversation on this topic. Be a Guide

advertisement

Related Topics

Abdominal bloating Images

Connect With People Who Have Abdominal Bloating

avatar

Write for LIVESTRONG.COM

Write for us

Do you work in health, fitness or nutrition? Share your expertise by writing for LIVESTRONG.COM

Learn More

Talk

chronicfatigue9: This Life Is Mine: Come Together and Cure!!: high blood pressure. * abdominal bloating. * pot belly, weight gai.. http://bit.ly/4sXDS4

ChronicFatigue1: This Life Is Mine: Come Together and Cure!!: high blood pressure. * abdominal bloating. * pot belly, weight gain, c... http://bit.ly/4oBDIG

roxanne_26: http://bit.ly/10yEu8 Common ailments such as abdominal pain, abdominal bloating, diarrhea, constipation, headache,... http://ff.im/bCVrN

Quinroxanne: http://bit.ly/10yEu8 Common ailments such as abdominal pain, abdominal bloating, diarrhea, constipation, headache, fatigue depression can...

21Pounds21Days: Abdominal bloating and gas happens when decaying food ferment. Acid Reflux is heart burn because there’s not enough room 4 food to go down.

Additional Reading



Tools

The Daily Plate

Track your daily calories. See how many calories you burn and consume.

Body Mass Index

BMI is a measurement of body fat based on height and weight.

LIVESTRONG Loops

Map your local running, cycling, walking and hiking routes and track your calorie burn.

Stay Motivated

Find us on the web, receive emails and use our mobile app to keep you motivated.

Symptom Checker

This tool will help you to decide whether to treat at home or see a doctor.