Bloating becomes serious when it's persistent, severe, or accompanied by warning signs like unintentional weight loss, blood in your stool, severe abdominal pain, vomiting, fever, changes in bowel habits (diarrhea/constipation), or feeling full quickly. These symptoms can signal underlying conditions like infections, inflammatory bowel disease, or, rarely, cancer, and warrant a doctor's visit, especially if they don't improve with simple dietary changes.
Although a bloated stomach is a common symptom that is not harmless, it can actually be a sign of something serious. A bloated stomach that lasts longer than 2 weeks after taking medications, weight loss, pale skin, loss of appetite and yellowing of the skin can be warning signs of cancer.
You should worry about bloating and see a doctor if it's persistent, severe, or accompanied by red flag symptoms like unexplained weight loss, severe abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, changes in bowel habits (like bloody or black stools), fever, or loss of appetite, as these can signal serious conditions like celiac disease, IBD, or even cancer, though simple diet/lifestyle changes often resolve minor bloating.
Gas and bloating usually are caused by something your child eats or drinks, including some natural health products and medicines. Gas and bloating are usually harmless and go away without treatment. But changing your child's diet can help end the problem.
Omeprazole can also make you have more gas than usual. This can be uncomfortable, causing bloating, cramps, or flatulence. Omeprazole can also cause constipation, which can cause similar symptoms, though this isn't as common. Lifestyle changes, such as drinking more water and exercising, can help relieve constipation.
Common side effects of omeprazole include:
Simeticone (or simethicone) is a type of medicine called an antiflatulent. It's used to treat farting (flatulence), trapped wind and bloating, although we cannot be certain if it really works for these symptoms. People with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) sometimes take simeticone to ease their symptoms.
Causes might include: Gas from functional indigestion, food intolerances or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Constipation causing a build-up of feces and back-up of digestive contents. Urinary retention causing a build-up of urine.
Kwashiorkor is a type of malnutrition characterized by severe protein deficiency. It causes fluid retention and a swollen, distended abdomen. Kwashiorkor most commonly affects children, particularly in developing countries with high levels of poverty and food insecurity.
Symptoms
More serious disorders that may cause bloating are:
Bloating is where your tummy feels full and uncomfortable. It's very common and there are things you can do to ease it. But see a GP if you feel bloated a lot or it does not go away.
Excess intestinal gas: This can be due to increased gas production from food fermentation or delayed transit of gas through the digestive tract. Visceral hypersensitivity: If the nerves in your gut are overly sensitive, you may perceive normal amounts of gas or fullness as painful or excessive bloating.
Still, certain conditions are sometimes mistaken for bloating, including:
Nausea, heartburn, or bloating can have many causes. But for people with diabetes, these common digestion issues shouldn't be ignored. High blood sugar can lead to gastroparesis, a condition where your stomach doesn't empty properly. Diabetes can damage the nerves in the stomach and slow or stop digestion.
It's one of the most painful aspects of starvation to witness: the stomachs of children who are dying appear ridiculously swollen. It's as if the body plays an unbelievably cruel joke on itself, causing the starved to resemble people whose bellies are large from over-eating.
Abdominal swelling, or distention, is more often caused by overeating than by a serious illness. This problem also can be caused by: Air swallowing (a nervous habit) Buildup of fluid in the abdomen (this can be a sign of a serious medical problem)
Vitamin B12
People with chronic digestive illnesses (like Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis) are at higher risk for low vitamin B12 levels due to their reduced ability to absorb nutrients from food. A B12 anemia may worsen digestive symptoms, like diarrhea (commonly accompanied by bloating.)
Signs and Symptoms of Stomach Cancer
A GI doctor can help identify the triggers that may be causing IBS bloating. Increasing fiber intake and drinking plenty of fluids, managing stress, and increasing intake of probiotics may be helpful in reducing symptoms. Medications such as antispasmodics or antidiarrheals can be used to relieve symptoms.
Drinks that may reduce bloating include water, certain herbal teas, and fermented drinks like kombucha and kefir. Carbonated beverages, as well as drinks containing artificial sweeteners or caffeine, may lead to bloating.
Mebeverine hydrochloride (Colofac) or Hyoscine hydrobromide (Buscopan) are smooth muscle relaxants which reduce abdominal cramps and bloating. Reduce constipation by increasing your intake of soluble fibre such as oats or linseeds (up to 1 tablespoon daily). Available over the counter.