What should you know about intense bloating?

Bloating is a feeling of fullness or pressure, sometimes with visible swelling of the abdomen. It may follow a large meal, fizzy drinks, eating quickly, constipation or swallowing extra air. Repeated symptoms can occur with Irritable Bowel Syndrome, lactose intolerance, other Food Intolerance, or Coeliac Disease. Giardiasis and Helicobacter Pylori Infection are additional digestive causes that a clinician may consider when bloating comes with diarrhoea, nausea, upper-abdominal discomfort or weight change.

Keep a brief diary of meals, bowel movements, medicines and symptoms. Eat slowly, choose smaller meals, drink water and take gentle walks if comfortable. Avoid foods that clearly trigger symptoms without cutting out major food groups for a long period without advice. A clinician or Nutrition Counselling service can help identify patterns while keeping meals balanced. Do not start a restrictive diet or use repeated laxatives without guidance.

Arrange medical advice when bloating is new, keeps returning, lasts despite simple measures, or occurs with vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, fever, blood in the stool or unintentional weight loss. Seek urgent care for severe or rapidly worsening abdominal pain, a hard swollen abdomen, repeated vomiting, faintness, or inability to pass stool or gas.

Ask what symptoms suggest intolerance, constipation or another digestive problem; whether you need an examination or tests; which foods and medicines to record; and how to manage symptoms safely while the cause is being assessed.