Condition guide
Bloating
Uncomfortable bloating and gas? Find relief from bloating with the right remedies and dietary changes.
Find the right medicineTreatment and relief options
- Simethicone for gas relief
- Peppermint tea or oil for digestive comfort
- Avoid gas-producing foods (beans, cabbage, carbonated drinks)
- Eat slowly and chew thoroughly
- Regular gentle exercise to aid digestion
When to get help
- Severe abdominal pain with bloating
- Bloating with vomiting or inability to pass gas
- Unexplained weight loss
- Blood in stool
- Persistent bloating for weeks
Good to know
Bloating, indigestion, constipation or pain?
Bloating is a feeling that your tummy is full, stretched or gassy, often with burping or wind. If the discomfort sits in the upper tummy or lower chest after eating, with burning or feeling full too soon, it is more likely indigestion. If you are also passing hard stools less often, constipation may be behind it, and more fibre, water and exercise can help both. If pain rather than fullness is the main problem, see stomach pain.
When bloating keeps coming back
Regular bloating can be linked to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), coeliac disease or food intolerances such as lactose intolerance. Talk to your doctor or a dietitian before cutting out foods, and keep a note of what makes your bloating worse. For IBS, a dietitian can help find your triggers and may suggest a low FODMAP diet.
Feeling bloated is also one of the most common symptoms of ovarian cancer, although having it does not always mean you have cancer. See your doctor if bloating is new or lasts more than a few weeks, especially with feeling full after small amounts, pelvic pain or changes when you wee. A symptom diary can help at the appointment.
Sources: healthdirect — Bloating; healthdirect — Indigestion; healthdirect — Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS); healthdirect — Ovarian cancer
Frequently asked questions
Gas from food, swallowing air, constipation, food intolerances, or IBS. Persistent bloating needs evaluation.
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Medical disclaimer
This information is general in nature and isn’t a substitute for professional medical advice. Always read the label and follow the directions for use. Talk to your pharmacist or doctor about what’s right for you.