Symptoms

Belly pain
Bloating
Belching
Flatulence
Nausea
Feeling an intense urge to have a bowel movement
Discomfort

What To Expect

Intestinal gases are mainly produced during digestion - especially when fibre-rich food or large amounts of carbohydrates or protein are decomposed by the intestinal bacteria. The microbes produce hydrogen, methane and carbon dioxide, among other things. Most of these gases enter the bloodstream and are exhaled through the lungs. The rest escapes via the intestines.

Made Worse By

In the vast majority of cases, the bloated belly is harmless and can be attributed to incorrect nutritional and lifestyle habits. For example, cabbage, legumes and onions can cause severe bloating. Too opulent, fatty or sweet foods also lead to increased gas formation in the stomach. The existing enzymes cannot completely break down the nutrients, bacteria become active. Carbonated drinks, alcohol and coffee can also cause wind. Another reason for bloating can be the sudden change of diet to wholemeal products, because the digestive tract first has to adapt to the unfamiliar food. A large part of the indigestible fiber in whole grain products is decomposed by bacteria in the large intestine. This produces waste products that can lead to an inflated stomach.

Diagnosed By

To get to the bottom of the cause of the bloating, the doctor will first ask questions about your medical history (anamnesis). In addition, he will ask about your nutritional and living habits as well as possible underlying diseases. The doctor then palpates the abdomen and checks the bowel sounds with the stethoscope. If he suspects that an organic disease is the reason for the flatulence, he will arrange for further examinations. These include an ultrasound examination (sonography) of the abdomen, stool examinations or tests for food intolerances such as a lactose tolerance test. If the findings reveal an illness, the doctor will suggest a suitable therapy.