Content Map Terms

Abdominal Fullness or Bloating

Overview

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. This can cause bloating but generally does not increase gas.
  • The side effects of medicines or natural health products, such as opioid pain medicines, vitamins, iron supplements, and many medicines 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.

Credits

Current as of: March 22, 2023

Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:
William H. Blahd Jr. MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine
Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine
Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine