Bloating and Gas

Bloating (a feeling of fullness or swelling in the abdomen) and excess gas are extremely common, usually resulting from normal digestion rather than a medical problem.

Common Dietary Causes

Certain foods — beans, lentils, cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cabbage), carbonated drinks, and artificial sweeteners — are well-known gas producers. Eating too quickly (which swallows extra air) and lactose intolerance (difficulty digesting dairy) are other frequent contributors.

Digestive Conditions

Frequent, significant bloating can be a symptom of IBS, constipation (our constipation guide covers bloating as a related symptom in more depth), or, less commonly, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) or a food intolerance beyond lactose.

Simple Relief Measures

Eating more slowly, identifying and limiting specific trigger foods, staying physically active, and over-the-counter remedies (simethicone for gas, or specific enzyme supplements for known intolerances) help most people.

When to See a Doctor

See a doctor for bloating that's severe, persistent, or worsening, comes with unintentional weight loss, blood in the stool, or a significant change in bowel habits, or occurs alongside a fever — these warrant evaluation rather than assuming it's routine bloating. In women, new bloating that persists most days for more than two to three weeks — especially alongside early fullness after eating, pelvic or abdominal pain, or urinary urgency — is specifically highlighted by health organizations as a symptom that should prompt a doctor visit to rule out gynecological causes, including ovarian cancer. In women, new bloating that persists most days for more than two to three weeks — especially alongside early fullness after eating, pelvic or abdominal pain, or urinary urgency — is specifically highlighted by health organizations as a symptom that should prompt a doctor visit to rule out gynecological causes, including ovarian cancer.