What is bloating?
Bloating is a symptom that causes your belly to feel full, tight, and puffed out. It occurs when your belly is filled with gas or air.
In addition to your swollen belly, bloating may also cause:
- Abdominal pain
- Flatulence
- Belching
- Gurgling or rumbling from your abdominal area
Bloating is common, and sometimes it comes and goes quickly. If your bloating is a chronic problem, it may affect your work and social life, but there’s no need to suffer with your symptoms.
The experts at Digestive Disease Consultants of Orange County offer advanced diagnostic testing to find and treat the root cause of your abdominal discomfort.
What causes bloating?
Excess gas is the most common cause of bloating. Gas may build up in your digestive tract during digestion or if you inadvertently swallow air when you eat, drink, or talk. Belching and flatulence may help you get rid of the excess gas to alleviate the bloating.
However, if your bloating occurs frequently, there may be an underlying medical issue causing your symptoms, such as:
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Constipation
- Inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease)
- Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)
- Gastroparesis (a slowdown in gastrointestinal motility)
- Celiac disease
- Food intolerance
- Hepatitis
Women may also experience bloating due to the hormonal changes that occur during their menstrual cycles.
What can I expect during an evaluation for bloating?
You can expect a comprehensive evaluation when you come in to see the experts at Digestive Disease Consultants of Orange County to get relief from your bloating. The goal of your evaluation is to find the root cause of your abnormal bloating.
During your visit, your gastroenterologist reviews your symptoms, usual diet, medical history, and the types of medications and supplements you take and then performs a physical exam.
To better understand the cause of your bloating, your provider may request diagnostic testing such as:
- Blood work
- Urinalysis
- Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)
- Endoscopy
- Capsule endoscopy
- Colonoscopy
- Sigmoidoscopy
The type of diagnostic testing you need may depend on your symptoms.
How is bloating treated?
Treatment for abnormal bloating is individualized based on the underlying cause.
The highly skilled team of gastroenterologists at Digestive Disease Consultants of Orange County works closely with you to develop a plan that relieves your symptoms and improves your quality of life.
You don’t have to live with the chronic discomfort caused by your bloating. Contact Digestive Disease Consultants of Orange County by phone or schedule an evaluation with the online booking tool.
