Abdominal bloating is a common problem most people experience at least once during their lifetime. In the majority of the cases, the cause of bloating may be something minor, like:
Excessive gas
Overeating
Leading a sedentary lifestyle
Constipation
Drinking carbonated beverages
Stomach infections
Usually, abdominal bloating may subside after a few days, but in some patients, it might persist for a long time and patients may start to experience other symptoms such as pain and nausea.
In these instances, a bloated stomach may indicate a serious gastrointestinal condition.
Symptoms
Patient’s may be suffering from an underlying gastrointestinal condition if they are experiencing along with certain other symptoms, including:
Diarrhoea
Bloody stools
Unexpected weight loss
Fever
Persistent pain
If you experience one or a combination of these symptoms along with abdominal bloating, pay a visit to a gastroenterologist as soon as possible.
Serious causes of abdominal bloating
Liver disease
If left untreated, liver disease may damage your liver over time and lead to cirrhosis, which causes healthy liver tissue to get replaced by scar tissue.
The condition may also cause ascites, which causes fluid build-up in the abdomen that results in a bloated abdomen.
Crohn’s disease
This is an inflammatory bowel disease that may affect any part of the gastrointestinal system—there is no known cure for the condition.
While the disease may make everyday life difficult for some, it can be managed with proper treatment.
Gastric cancer
Bloating and feeling full despite having a small meal are common symptoms of gastric cancer, which is a slow-progressing condition.
In many cases, patients may not be diagnosed until the condition has progressed to a late stage.
Consult a gastrointestinal specialist for treatment and support
Dr Suhirdan Vivekanandarajah is a gastroenterologist based in Sydney specialising in diagnosing and treating various gastrointestinal conditions.
If you’re experiencing a bloated abdomen, get in touch with Dr Vivekanandarajah for treatment and support to relieve your symptoms.
Consult Dr Suhirdan at these locations
Meet Dr Suhirdan Vivekanandarajah
Interventional Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist
Bsc (Med) | M.B.B.S. (Hons) | FRACP
FAQs
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Get in touch for more information on gastrointestinal conditions and treatment.
Dr Suhirdan's services are only available to patients in Australia.