If you buy something through a link on this page, we may earn a small commission. How this works. Abdominal bloating occurs when the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is filled with air or gas. Most people describe bloating as feeling full, tight, or swollen in the abdomen. Your abdomen may also be swollen (distended), hard, and painful. Bloating is often accompanied by: pain

excessive gas (flatulence)

frequent burping or belching

abdominal rumbling or gurgles Abdominal bloating can interfere with your ability to work and participate in social or recreational activities. Bloating is common among both adults and children.

Why do you feel bloated? Gas and air Gas is the most common cause of bloating, especially after eating. Gas builds up in the digestive tract when undigested food gets broken down or when you swallow air. Everyone swallows air when they eat or drink. But some people can swallow more than others, especially if they are: eating or drinking too fast

chewing gum

smoking

wearing loose dentures Burping and flatulence are two ways swallowed air leaves the body. Delayed emptying of the stomach (slow gas transport) in addition to gas accumulation can also cause bloating and abdominal distension. Medical causes Other causes of bloating may be due to medical conditions. These include: irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

inflammatory bowel disease, such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease

other functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs)

heartburn

food intolerance

weight gain

hormonal flux (especially for women)

giardiasis (intestinal parasite infection)

eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa

mental health factors such as stress, anxiety, depression, and more

some medications These conditions cause factors that contribute to gas and bloating, such as: overgrowth or deficiency of bacteria within the GI tract

gas accumulation

altered gut motility

impaired gas transit

abnormal abdominal reflexes

visceral hypersensitivity (feeling of bloating in small or even normal body changes)

food and carbohydrate malabsorption

constipation Serious causes Abdominal bloating can also be a symptom of several serious conditions, including: pathologic fluid accumulation in the abdominal cavity (ascites) as a result of cancer (e.g., ovarian cancer), liver disease, kidney failure, or congestive heart failure

celiac disease, or gluten intolerance

pancreatic insufficiency, which is impaired digestion because the pancreas cannot produce enough digestive enzymes

perforation of the GI tract with escape of gas, normal GI tract bacteria, and other contents into the abdominal cavity

Treatments to prevent or relieve bloating Lifestyle changes In many cases, the symptoms of abdominal bloating can be diminished or even prevented by adopting a few simple lifestyle changes such as losing weight, if you’re overweight. To reduce swallowing too much air, you can: Avoid chewing gum. Chewing gum can cause you to swallow extra air, which in turn can lead to bloating.

Limit your intake of carbonated drinks.

Avoid foods that cause gas, such vegetables in the cabbage family, dried beans, and lentils.

Eat slowly and avoid drinking through a straw.

Use lactose-free dairy products (if you are lactose intolerant). Probiotics may also help with repopulating healthy gut bacteria. Research is mixed on the effectiveness of probiotics. One review found that probiotics have a moderate effect, with a 70-percent agreement on its effect on bloating relief. You can find probiotics in kefir and Greek yogurt. Shop for kefir and Greek yogurt online. Massages Abdominal massages may also help reduce abdominal bloating. One study looked at 80 people with ascites and assigned them 15-minute abdominal massages twice a day for three days. The results showed that massages improved depression, anxiety, well-being, and perceived abdominal bloating symptoms. Medications Talk to your doctor if lifestyle changes and dietary interventions don’t relieve abdominal bloating. If your doctor finds a medical cause for your bloating, they may recommend medical treatments. Treatments may require antibiotics, antispasmodics, or antidepressants, but it also depends on your condition.