bloating
Meaning of bloating: A feeling of abdominal fullness or visible distension, bloating usually results from gas within the intestines but can arise from many different digestive causes.
Definition of bloating
Bloating is a sensation of fullness, tightness, or visible swelling in the abdomen. It is a common and generally nonspecific symptom, meaning it can arise from many different underlying causes rather than pointing to a single condition.
Bloating most often results from gas within the intestines, which can build up because of the particular foods eaten, swallowed air, or the way certain foods are broken down by bacteria in the gut. Constipation and lactose intolerance are also common contributors, since both can lead to gas production or slowed movement of material through the intestines.
Less commonly, persistent or worsening bloating can be associated with a digestive disorder or another underlying medical condition, so a pattern that is new, persistent, or accompanied by other symptoms is generally evaluated further to identify a specific contributing cause rather than being attributed to gas alone.
Also known as
Used in a sentence
The patient reported bloating after meals, prompting further evaluation of digestive symptoms.
Good to know
Bloating is a nonspecific symptom with many possible causes, so its presence alone does not identify a specific underlying condition without further clinical evaluation.