Is bloating ever a sign of something serious?

Written by: Dr John Martin
Published: | Updated: 07/07/2023
Edited by: Emma McLeod

Bloating is a common condition and is only very rarely a sign of something serious. Nevertheless, do you know when to see a specialist for advice? Dr John Martin, a gastroenterologist, explains the causes of bloating so that you know when to seek medical help.

A woman is lying on her side on top of a bed with her arms wrapped around her stomach in discomfort.

What is a bloated stomach?

A bloated stomach is a sensation that is often attributed to excessive gas or air. This perception may result from a small increase in gas, often caused by eating certain foods such as those containing lactose or other indigestible components. Often, however, the perception of excessive gas is the result of an increase in the sensitivity of the intestine to either normal amounts, or only a small increase in the amount of gas.

 

Posture can be also a cause of bloating and distension. Relaxation of the abdominal muscles combined with abnormal descent of the diaphragm can result in a decrease in the intra-abdominal volume and distension of the abdomen.

 

Which conditions could be causing a bloated stomach?

The commonest causes of bloating are:

 

More serious causes can include:

  • Bowel obstruction
  • Abnormal growth of bacteria in the small bowel
  • Accumulation of fluid
  • Benign or malignant tumours
  • In women, ovarian cancer is a rare cause of bloating

 

What signs and symptoms indicate that you need to see a doctor?

Bloating can be a troublesome symptom, so even if it does not represent a serious problem it is worth consulting a gastroenterologist, as there are often treatments that will help the symptoms. In rare cases when bloating has a serious cause, then the following symptoms may be present, and you should seek urgent advice.

 

How will they find out what the cause is?

Often a diagnosis is made from a patient’s medical history and tests aren’t needed at all. A gastroenterologist may recommend blood tests to detect coeliac disease, a breath test to look for bacterial overgrowth or an intolerance to lactose, and possibly a scan of the abdomen or pelvis to detect tumours or fluid. Very rarely are endoscopic tests used.

 

What treatments are available?

  • Dietary modifications such as a reduction in carbonated drinks, avoidance of dairy products, or a low FODMAP diet
  • Treatment of the underlying cause, such as antibiotics for bacterial overgrowth or a gluten-free diet in patients with coeliac disease
  • Biofeedback therapy to retrain patients’ contraction of the abdominal muscles and control of the diaphragm
  • Other common treatments such as charcoal or probiotics may be useful in some patients but are often ineffective

 

Dr John Martin has 25 years of experience managing all aspects of gastroenterology. Visit his Top Doctors profile to learn more and to book your consultation.

By Dr John Martin
Gastroenterology

Dr John Martin is a highly-experienced gastroenterologist and endoscopist based in London and holds an NHS Consultant post at Imperial College (ICL). He is an expert in colorectal cancer screening, therapeutic and diagnostic colonoscopy and has 25 years' experience of managing all aspects of gastroenterology including abdominal pain or discomfort, reflux disease, diarrhoea and constipation, rectal bleeding, irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis

Graduated from Cambridge University and King’s College Hospital, London in 1990, Dr Martin completed his gastroenterology training within North West London. In 2002, he was awarded an MD from the University of London in bowel cancer screening and became a consultant at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital before joining Charing Cross Hospital in 2006. Dr Martin refined his skills in colonoscopy to ensure they are always safe, high-quality and comfortable for his patients. 

Dr Martin teaches colonoscopy both within the NHS Trust and also at national screening centres. He is a bowel cancer screening accredited colonoscopist and an examiner for BCSP colonoscopy accreditation. He has authored numerous peer reviewed publications.  

Dr Martin is director of the West London Bowel Cancer Screening Centre; he is the national advisor to Public Health England on endoscopy within the Bowel Cancer screening service and chairs the national advisory committee on quality and safety of endoscopy within screening. He forms an integral part of numerous other professional bodies and has been widely published in peer-reviewed journals. 

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