Abdominal bloating is a condition in which the belly (abdomen) feels full and tight. Your belly may look swollen (distended).

Bloating; Meteorism

Common causes include:

• Air swallowing (a nervous habit)
• Constipation
• Gastroesophageal reflux
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Lactose intolerance and other food intolerances
• Overeating
• Small bowel bacterial overgrowth
• Weight gain

The diabetes medication acarbose, as well as any medicine containing lactulose or sorbitol, may cause bloating.

More serious disorders that may cause bloating are:

• Ascites and tumors
• Celiac disease
• Dumping syndrome
• Ovarian cancer
• When the pancreas is not able to make enzymes needed for digestion (pancreatic insufficiency)

You may take the following steps:

• Avoid chewing gum or carbonated drinks, especially those with high levels of fructose or sorbitol
• Avoid foods such as Brussels sprouts, turnips, cabbage, beans, and lentils
• Do not eat too quickly
• Stop smoking

If you have constipation, it should be treated. However, fiber supplements such as psyllium or 100% bran can make your symptoms worse.

You may try simethicone and other medicines you buy at the drugstore to help with gas, but these medications are often not helpful.

See: Lactose intolerance for more on how to treat this problem.

Call your health care provider if you have:

• Abdominal pain
• Blood in the stools or dark, tarry looking stools
• Diarrhea
• Heartburn that is getting worse
• Vomiting
• Weight loss

Bailey J. FPIN's Clinical Inquiries: Effective management of flatulence. Am Fam Physician. 2009;79:1098-1100.

Ohge H, Levitt MD. Intestinal gas. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger & Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier;2010:chap 16.