Abdominal fullness or bloating
Abdominal fullness or bloating occurs when excess gas builds up in the digestive tract.
Common causes of gas include:
- Swallowed air. If swallowed air is not burped up, it passes through the digestive tract and is released through the anus as gas (flatus). Excessive air swallowing may cause hiccups.
- Gas-producing foods and drinks, such as beans, broccoli, carbonated drinks, and beer. The amount of gas that different foods cause varies from person to person.
- Constipation.
- The side effects of medications or supplements, such as narcotic pain medications, vitamins, iron supplements, and many medications that are used to treat constipation.
- Changing hormone levels. Many women feel bloated right before their periods because their bodies retain fluid.
- Pregnancy.
- Weakened abdominal muscles caused by pregnancy or abdominal surgery.
- Obesity.
Occasionally, excess gas and bloating may be caused by a more serious medical problem, such as a bowel obstruction, liver problems, gallbladder disease, or cancer.
Treatment depends on what is causing the problem. Call your doctor for a checkup if you have abdominal fullness or bloating that has not gotten better or gone away with home treatment.
| Author: | Jan Nissl, RN, BS | Last Updated: October 15, 2007 |
| Medical Review: | William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine | |
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