Flatulence: Causes of Bloating and Ways to Get Rid of It
Reviewed by Yevheniia Anatoliivna Minchuk, Gastroenterologist of the highest category, Dietitian updated: 11 June 2026
What Flatulence Is and How Bloating Manifests
Flatulence is an excessive buildup of gas in the intestines, causing a feeling of fullness, an increase in abdominal size, rumbling, and passing gas. Occasional bloating after certain foods is normal, while constant or pronounced flatulence may indicate a digestive problem.
Why the Abdomen Bloats: Main Causes of Gas Formation
| Cause | How It Triggers Bloating | Symptoms to Watch For |
|---|---|---|
| Dietary factors | Legumes, cabbage, carbonated drinks, excess fiber | Bloating mainly after certain foods |
| Imbalance of gut microbiota | Bacterial overgrowth, microbiome imbalance | Bloating, changes in bowel habits |
| Food intolerance | Lactose intolerance, gluten sensitivity | Bloating, diarrhea, discomfort after specific foods |
| Irritable bowel syndrome | Impaired bowel motility | Bloating linked to stress, changes in bowel rhythm |
| Digestive organ conditions | Pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, adhesions | Bloating combined with pain, digestive disturbance |
How to Quickly Relieve Bloating at Home
Quick relief can come from light physical activity (such as a walk), a warm compress on the abdomen if there are no contraindications, herbal tea with fennel or mint, and temporarily avoiding foods that increase gas formation. It also helps to eat slowly, avoid swallowing too much air, and not overeat.
How Flatulence and Excess Gas Formation Are Treated
Treatment depends on the cause and may include dietary adjustments, probiotics to restore healthy gut flora, digestive enzymes, simethicone-based products to reduce gas, and, if an underlying condition is found, its specific treatment.
When to See a Gastroenterology Department for Persistent Flatulence
See a doctor if bloating is constant, accompanied by abdominal pain, changes in bowel habits, unexplained weight loss, nausea, or vomiting. Such symptoms may point to conditions that require specialized evaluation and treatment.
Diagnosing Flatulence: Tests, Ultrasound, and Video Endoscopy
Stool Tests to Find the Causes of Bloating
A stool test helps assess how well food is being digested and can reveal hidden blood, parasites, or signs of a microbiota imbalance, which often accompanies chronic flatulence.
Abdominal Ultrasound for Flatulence
An abdominal ultrasound helps evaluate the liver, pancreas, and gallbladder, whose conditions often present with bloating.
If a more detailed examination of the lining is needed, a doctor may order gastroscopy or colonoscopy, especially if bloating occurs alongside other concerning symptoms.
Gastroenterologists Who Help with GI Symptoms
A gastroenterology consultation helps identify the cause of persistent flatulence and choose effective treatment. In cases requiring surgery, for example due to adhesions or other structural changes, the general surgery and laparoscopic surgery departments are involved.
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