Bloating

What is Bloating?

Bloating is the feeling of having a full stomach, and it is accompanied by a distended abdomen or an increase in the stomach’s size. Bloating typically involves the accumulation of gas in the intestines, resulting in swelling of the stomach.

What are the causes of bloating?

As previously stated, bloating is caused by gas buildup in the stomach, resulting in stomach swelling. According to the Cleveland Clinic, certain foods may be more likely to cause bloating. These include the following:

Salty and processed foods
Fatty foods, such as fried chicken
Carbonated drinks
Foods containing the sweetener high fructose corn syrup
Dairy products, like milk and ice cream
High-carb meals
Beyond these specific foods, overeating can cause bloating. This may be especially true of high-carb meals, as excess carbohydrates can cause fluid retention.

In some cases, stress and anxiety may lead to bloating, because people may tend to swallow more air when they are anxious. This can cause episodes of bloating.

Symptoms of Bloating

Feeling full is probably the most common symptom of bloating. Other symptoms include:

Belching
Gassiness
Feeling the need to have a bowel movement
Nausea
Feeling as if something is stuck inside the stomach
Discomfort, which may range from mild to intense pain

What are the treatments for bloating?

Most experts agree that bloating typically resolves on its own. You can reduce the occurrence of bloating by eating smaller portions of food and by eating more slowly. It is also helpful to avoid foods that trigger bloating, such as greasy or high-sodium foods. People who frequently struggle with gassiness and bloating may benefit from giving up habits that increase the amount of air that is swallowed. These include drinking through a straw, sucking on candy, and chewing gum. While bloating is typically not an indication of a serious problem, if it does not resolve on its own and includes other symptoms, it is time to see a doctor to rule out a medical problem. Some symptoms that may suggest an underlying digestive condition include diarrhea, severe stomach pain, blood in the stool, loss of appetite, unintentional weight loss, or change in the appearance or frequency of bowel movements.

Applicable Procedures

Colonoscopy EGD

What can I do to prevent bloating?

If you experience recurrent episodes of bloating, it may be helpful to track what foods you consume before feeling bloated, so you can eliminate them from your diet. You can also prevent bloating by eating smaller portions and avoiding habits like drinking through a straw or sucking on candy, which may cause you to swallow too much air.

What is the treatment for bloating?

Bloating usually goes away on its own and is prevented by eating smaller portions and eliminating trigger foods from the diet. Professional treatment usually is not necessary.

Is bloating a serious health problem?

Bloating is usually not a cause for concern, but if it doesn’t go away and is accompanied by symptoms like severe pain, blood in the stool, weight loss, or loss of appetite, it is important to see a doctor to rule out a digestive health problem.

Common Symptoms

“After having a greasy, salty fast food meal, I feel like my stomach is especially full, and I have a lot of gassiness.”
“Several hours after overeating, my belly sticks out, and I feel as if I have something stuck inside it.”
“Certain foods make my stomach feel uncomfortable, and I have the sensation of needing to have a bowel movement.”

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What Our Patients Are Saying

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I’ve been a patient of Dr. Weber for almost a decade. My husband for more than & it was he who recommended Dr. Weber. He’s knowledgeable & well experienced in his field. Plus he’s an all around kind & nice guy. And you’d like how the office & tech staff are trained to run the operation of this practice. Efficient, patient and helpful! I’d feel very comfortable recommending this practice.

Vicki M.

I had a great time. Everyone was very friendly and professional. One nurse said I had nice eyes, which really helped my self esteem. Dr. Willie was fantastic. His concern about having magenta ink for the printer really shows what a caring man he is. The pictures turned out great. I framed them and hung them up on my wall at home. But, seriously the experience was pleasant. Thank you to everyone involved.

Terry M.

Lord knows having a colonoscopy is zero fun. The prep nearly did me in. But after arriving at suite 270 every single person was pleasant and efficient. The attention to cleanliness in the office is very apparent and appreciated. Every employee introduced themselves by name, apologized for an IV that took two tries and made sure I was as comfortable as can be before I was ready to leave. However, I’m going to enjoy every minute of the five years before I need to return!

Marie C.

I have been here several times and have always been treated great. The receptionist are so kind and the nurses are wonderful so is the anesthesia person are so kind and answers any concerns you might have. My Dr Bologna is awesome. This is the place to go if you need endoscopy or colonoscopy. Thank all the staff for being so kind

Debbie A.

Our Doctors

We’re proud of our team here at Digestive Health Institute. Our health care providers include some of the very best colorectal surgeons, gastroenterologists and physician assistants. To learn more about our qualified team of specialists, please visit our providers page.

Amir Abadir MD, FRCPC

Anezi E. Bakken MD, MS

Sante D. Bologna MD, FACP

M. Emin Donat MD, FRCPC

Freeha Khan MD

Partha S. Nandi

Leonard G. Quallich III MD

Jack Tocco DO

John R. Weber MD

Richard T. Wille MD

Tusar Desai MD

Aalia Saeed, MD

FAQs

What happens during my first visit?

If you are a new patient, you can expect to have a complete physical exam. You will also be asked detailed questions about your current problems and your past medical history, your current medications, allergies, your family history and other pertinent medical information. If you are taking medications, please bring a completed medical history form with you to your appointment. Once the physician has reviewed your medical information and completed the physical examination, a plan of care will be developed. You may need to be seen again in the office, be referred back to your family physician for follow-up care, or require additional testing. If additional tests are needed, we will assist you in scheduling these tests.

What if I need to schedule an endoscopic procedure?

An endoscopic procedure allows the physician to visualize a part of your gastrointestinal tract with a special instrument called an endoscope. If your family physician has ordered testing, you will be contacted by telephone by one of our staff members. If a physician orders testing and you are in the office, the procedure can generally be scheduled during the course of your visit. You will be given a date, time, and location for the test, as well as written instructions telling you how to prepare for the test. If you have any questions about the procedure, please feel free to ask one of our staff members or the physician.

How do I get test results?

We ask that you wait 10 to 14 days before contacting us for results. Often results come from several different sources. This information needs to be compiled and reviewed by your physician before you can be appropriately advised.

What insurances do you accept?

We accept payment from most insurance companies including Medicare, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Blue Care Network, Physicians Health Plan, Cofinity, Sparrow Professional Health Network, Medicaid, McLaren, Health Plus, and several others. Accepted insurances are subject to change at any time without notice.

If your insurance requires an authorization from your primary care physician, you may be asked to assist us in obtaining this authorization.

All patients are responsible for all copays and deductibles at the time of service.

If you have any questions regarding your benefits or insurance coverage, please contact our Billing Department at 248-844-9710.

What if I need to contact the doctor?

To contact your doctor during business hours please call our main number 248-844-9710. If you have an urgent need to speak with the doctor after hours, you will be rerouted to our after hours answering service, and your doctor will be paged. In the case of a medical emergency please proceed directly to the nearest hospital emergency room.

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