What is bloating and why does it happen?
Bloating is a feeling that the abdomen is full, tight, or larger than usual. It may be accompanied by excess gas, rumbling, discomfort, or pain. The most common cause is gas in the digestive tract, but persistent or progressive bloating sometimes requires investigation.
Common triggers include eating quickly and swallowing air, fizzy drinks, large meals, certain carbohydrates, constipation, and food intolerance. Bloating can also accompany irritable bowel syndrome, coeliac disease, hormonal changes around menstruation, or pregnancy.
Common causes of recurring bloating
- Eating habits: rapid eating, chewing gum, carbonated drinks, and large portions;
- Constipation: slower bowel movement can increase gas and fullness;
- Food intolerance: including lactose or another individual trigger;
- Irritable bowel syndrome: bloating with pain, diarrhoea, or constipation;
- Gynaecological causes: cyclical symptoms, an ovarian cyst, fibroid, or another pelvic condition;
- Pregnancy: hormonal change and slower digestion commonly increase bloating.
How can bloating be relieved?
- Eat slowly and choose smaller, more frequent meals;
- Drink enough water and remain physically active;
- Reduce fizzy drinks and identify personal food triggers;
- Keep a food and symptom diary;
- If constipated, increase fibre gradually—an abrupt increase can worsen gas.
Avoid removing many foods for long periods without professional advice, especially during pregnancy, because restrictive diets can cause nutritional deficiencies.
When is bloating a warning sign?
See a clinician if bloating is frequent, persistent, or accompanied by unintentional weight loss, reduced appetite, blood in the stool, menstrual changes, or progressive abdominal enlargement.
Seek urgent care for sudden severe abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, vomiting blood, high fever, severe breathing difficulty, or abdominal swelling with inability to pass stool or gas.
When is ultrasound useful?
Ultrasound does not always explain intestinal gas, but it can assess abdominal and pelvic organs such as the liver, gallbladder, kidneys, uterus, and ovaries. Depending on your symptoms, blood tests or other gastrointestinal investigations may also be needed.
When bloating occurs with pelvic pain or menstrual changes, a pelvic ultrasound may be appropriate. Right upper abdominal discomfort may prompt a hepatobiliary ultrasound.
Why consult Lana Ezieshvili?
A useful ultrasound requires selecting the correct area and interpreting findings in context. Radiologist Lana Ezieshvili performs abdominal and pelvic ultrasound and explains the report clearly.
If bloating persists or new symptoms appear, see your clinician. When imaging is indicated, book an appointment with Lana Ezieshvili to assess possible abdominal or pelvic causes.