Bloating is a feeling of fullness, tightness or swelling in the abdomen. Some people also see their abdomen get bigger through the day. It is one of the most common gut symptoms, and usually not serious.
Common causes
- Swallowed air: eating quickly, talking while eating, fizzy drinks, chewing gum and drinking through a straw
- Gas-producing foods: beans, lentils, onions, garlic, cabbage, broccoli, wheat, and sugar-free sweets containing sorbitol
- Constipation, one of the commonest causes
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and functional dyspepsia, where the gut is more sensitive to normal amounts of gas
- Lactose intolerance
- Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)
- Less commonly, coeliac disease, or problems outside the gut such as ovarian conditions or fluid in the abdomen
What helps
- Eat slowly
- Simply eating less, and cutting down on carbohydrates such as rice, noodles, bread and sweet foods, sometimes improves bloating
- Cut down on fizzy drinks, chewing gum and sugar-free sweets
- Treat constipation if you have it
- Try reducing one gas-producing food group at a time to see what affects you. A low-FODMAP diet with a dietitian can help in IBS.
- Regular exercise, and abdominal breathing
Warning signs that need checking
- Bloating that is new and persistent, especially in women over 50 (an ovarian check may be needed)
- Weight loss, vomiting, blood in the stool, or anaemia
- A swelling of the abdomen that does not go down overnight
- A change in bowel habit lasting more than a few weeks
Tests may include blood tests, a breath test, an ultrasound scan, or a gastroscopy or colonoscopy, depending on your symptoms and age.
General information only. Reviewed by Dr Chia Chung King, 2026-11-13. Book a consultation.