The NHS has issued a stark warning, advising individuals to “call 999” if they experience certain symptoms alongside persistent bloating. Bloating is often dismissed as a minor issue, typically caused by excess gas from foods like fizzy drinks and vegetables or from swallowing air while eating.
It can also be a sign of digestive problems such as constipation, food intolerances, or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Women may notice bloating during their menstrual cycle as well.
However, bloating should not always be taken lightly, as it can indicate more severe health concerns. It could be an early warning sign of various cancers, including ovarian, bowel, and stomach cancer, for example.
Additionally, bloating might suggest the presence of ascites, which is fluid accumulation in the abdominal cavity often associated with liver cirrhosis, the most severe stage of liver disease. Other serious conditions linked to bloating include celiac disease, where gluten intake leads to immune system attacks on the small intestine, and endometriosis, where tissue resembling the uterus lining grows outside it, causing significant discomfort.
Given these potential risks, the NHS emphasises that anyone experiencing prolonged bloating should seek immediate medical attention by calling 999 or visiting A&E if they also have:
- You have a stomach ache that came on very suddenly or is severe
- It hurts when you touch your stomach
- You’re vomiting blood or your vomit looks like ground coffee
- Your poo is bloody or black
- You cannot pee, poo or fart
- You cannot breathe
- You have chest pain.
Other persistent symptoms with bloating should also prompt you to seek medical help in the form of a GP appointment. These include if:
- You’ve been feeling bloated for three weeks or more
- You feel bloated regularly (more than 12 times a month)
- You’ve tried changing your diet but keep feeling bloated
- You have a swelling or lump in your tummy
- You have bloating along with being sick, diarrhoea, constipation, weight loss or blood in your poo
- You find it difficult to move or do daily activities because you’re bloated.
If your bloating is likely just the result of diet or other lifestyle factors, the NHS recommends the following steps to alleviate it:
- Exercise regularly to improve your digestion and help prevent bloating – exercise can also help when you’re feeling bloated
- Chew with your mouth closed to avoid swallowing air
- Drink plenty of water
- Eat foods high in fibre if constipated
- Eat smaller, more frequent meals instead of large meals
- Massage your stomach from right to left to release trapped wind
- Do not drink lots of fizzy drinks, alcohol or caffeine in coffee and tea
- Do not eat lots of foods that are known to cause gas, like cabbage, beans or lentils
- Do not eat large meals late at night before bed, or slouch when eating
- Do not eat lots of processed, sugary, spicy or fatty foods
- Do not eat food you are intolerant to, if you have a food intolerance.