Bloating
When intestinal gas doesn't get passed out by belching or flatulence (passing gas), you end up with a bloated feeling. It's an uncomfortable feeling that is sometimes relieved by having a bowel movement or passing gas.
There are steps you can take to prevent bloating including not smoking, cutting down on fatty foods and avoiding certain foods such as beans and cabbage.
Your doctor can help you understand what causes your bloating and help control it.
Recently Answered
- Q Does bloating affect children differently than adults?
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Children can experience bloating in the same way that adults do. Usually gas is not serious, although it can be painful. But many children have food intolerances. These children are unable to digest the sugar or protein in certain foods, especially... Full Answer
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- Q What can I do to reduce bloating?
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Dr. Mehmet Oz, CardiologyHere’s what you can do to reduce bloating: Reduce Sodium - Too much sodium is a source of bloating and evening swelling in certain parts of the body. People consume excess amounts of sodium when they eat fast or frozen foods. The American... Full Answer
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- Q What is bloating?
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Bloating is a condition of excess gas in the body in which a person's abdomen is enlarged. As a result, he or she will have a feeling of tightness in this area, or may feel full. People who experience bloating often don't fully digest their food, or they... Full Answer
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- Q What is abdominal bloating?
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Dr. Bill Salt, GastroenterologyFunctional abdominal bloating is described as a feeling of excessive abdominal pressure that may or may not be accompanied by actual visible abdominal distention or enlargement. Abdominal bloating can be uncomfortable and even painful. Furthermore, when... Full Answer
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- Q What are the main symptoms of bloating?
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Bloating is excess gas in the abdomen. Therefore, the main symptoms of bloating are an enlarged abdomen, and a feeling of being "full." People with bloating are usually unable to digest certain foods, and this leads to a buildup of excess gas in the... Full Answer
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- Q How does bloating affect the body?
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Bloating is usually harmless to the body. However, sometimes on rare occasions bloating may be caused by an underlying serious condition, such as gallbladder disease, celiac disease, or a pancreatic disorder. In these cases, the body's inability to... Full Answer
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- Q What is the difference between bloating and distension?
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Dr. Lawrence Friedman, GastroenterologyThat feeling of fullness and tightness in the abdomen is called bloating, while distension is the actual increased size of the abdomen. The two conditions usually occur together, but it is possible to have bloating without distension. Bloating with... Full Answer
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- Q How common is bloating?
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Bloating is a fairly common condition of excess gas in the body. About 11 percent of all people experience bloating. It is usually caused by a person's inability to digest certain foods, especially legumes, vegetables, and dairy products. Full Answer
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- Q What causes bloating and distension?
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Dr. Lawrence Friedman, GastroenterologyYou might think that bloating and distension would be due to excess gas. But more likely the discomfort is due to irritable bowel syndrome and the distension is the result of relaxation of the muscles of the abdomen and diaphragm (the muscle that... Full Answer
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- Q Do pregnant women get bloating?
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In general, pregnant women don't have a greater chance of bloating. Bloating is an enlarged abdomen caused by excess gas. It is usually caused by food intolerance, but can have other causes. Full Answer
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