Abdominal bloating is a condition in which the abdomen (belly) feels full and tight.
Common Causes
Air swallowing (a nervous habit)
Constipation
Excess gas in the bowel
Irritable bowel syndrome
Lactose intolerance and other food intolerances
Overeating
Partial bowel obstruction
Small bowel bacterial overgrowth
Important but uncommon causes of abdominal bloating include ascites and tumors, such as those arising from ovarian cancer.Update Date:
3/8/2008Updated by:
Christian Stone, MD, Division of Gastroenterology, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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