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Review
. 2019 May;36(5):1075-1084.
doi: 10.1007/s12325-019-00924-7. Epub 2019 Mar 16.

Bloating and Abdominal Distension: Clinical Approach and Management

Amir Mari  1   2   3 , Fadi Abu Backer  1 , Mahmud Mahamid  2   3 , Hana Amara  2 , Dan Carter  4   5 , Doron Boltin  6   5 , Ram Dickman  7   8
Affiliations
Review

Bloating and Abdominal Distension: Clinical Approach and Management

Amir Mari et al. Adv Ther. 2019 May.

Abstract

Functional abdominal bloating and distension (FABD) are common gastrointestinal complaints, encountered on a daily basis by gastroenterologists and healthcare providers. Functional abdominal bloating is a subjective sensation that is commonly associated with an objective abdominal distension. FABD may be diagnosed as a single entity (the sole or cardinal complaint) or may overlap with other functional gastrointestinal disorders such as functional constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, and functional dyspepsia. The pathophysiology of FABD is not completely understood. Proposed underlying mechanisms include visceral hypersensitivity, behavioral induced abnormal abdominal wall-phrenic reflexes, the effect of poorly absorbed fermentable carbohydrates, and microbiome alterations. Management includes behavioral therapy, dietary interventions, microbiome modulation, and medical therapy. This review presents the current knowledge on the pathophysiology, evaluation, and management of FABD.

Keywords: Distension; Functional abdominal bloating; Functional constipation; Functional dyspepsia; Irritable bowel syndrome.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Algorithm for the approach and management of abdominal bloating and distension. FGID functional gastrointestinal disorders, FC functional constipation, IBS irritable bowel syndrome, FC functional dyspepsia, SIBO small intestinal bacterial overgrowth
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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