What should you know about persistent stomach ache and bloating?

Bloating is a feeling of fullness or visible swelling caused by gas, altered bowel movement, or sensitivity in the digestive tract. Possible explanations include Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Food Intolerance, Lactose Intolerance, Coeliac Disease, Helicobacter Pylori Infection, and Giardiasis. A symptom does not identify one diagnosis by itself: the pattern, bowel changes, meals, travel, medicines, and examination all help narrow the possibilities.

Notice whether discomfort follows particular foods, improves after passing stool or gas, or occurs with diarrhoea, constipation, nausea, reduced appetite, or weight change. Keeping a brief symptom and food diary can make these patterns easier to describe.

Arrange a primary-care appointment if the ache and swelling keep returning or do not settle. Until then, eat regular moderate meals, slow down while eating, drink fluids, and note foods, bowel movements, medicines, and recent travel. Avoid making broad food exclusions without advice, because this can make nutrition harder and may affect testing for Coeliac Disease. Nutrition Counselling can help you test practical changes safely.

Seek urgent care for severe or rapidly worsening pain, a hard or markedly swollen abdomen, repeated vomiting, inability to pass stool or gas, black or bloody stool, fainting, fever with significant abdominal pain, or yellowing of the skin or eyes. Prompt assessment is also sensible for persistent symptoms with unexplained weight loss, ongoing vomiting, or a major change in bowel habit.

Could my symptoms fit Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Food Intolerance, or another digestive condition? Do I need testing before changing my diet? Which warning signs should make me seek urgent help?