Chronic Bloating Diagnosis and Treatment at Mercy in Baltimore

Bloating is a condition in which your belly feels full and tight, often due to gas. There are many possible causes of abdominal bloating including fluid retention, irritable bowel syndrome, motility problems and infection. 

Symptoms that may accompany bloating can include:

• Constipation
• Abdominal pain
• Gut sensitivity
• Pain
• Cramping
• Diarrhea
• Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)
• Gastroparesis
• Problems with your ovaries or uterus

There isn’t one specific diagnostic test for bloating since the underlying causes can vary. Your doctor may order tests such as:

• Stool analysis
• Blood work-up
• Abdominal X-ray
• Barium swallow test
• Small transmit follow-through
• Barium enema
• Gastric emptying test
• Anorectal manometry
• Colonic transit study
• Breath test
• Upper endoscopy
• Colonoscopy with biopsies

There is no universally effective treatment for bloating and stomach distention. Duodenal aspirate cultures may help identify infections in the small bowel that may cause bloating.

Treatment varies for each individual, and our team at Mercy is dedicated to working with each of our patients to find the most comfortable and effective treatment options for each individual case.