Abdominal bloating: pathophysiology and treatment

A Young Seo, Nayoung Kim, Dong Hyun Oh, A Young Seo, Nayoung Kim, Dong Hyun Oh

Abstract

Abdominal bloating is a very common and troublesome symptom of all ages, but it has not been fully understood to date. Bloating is usually associated with functional gastrointestinal disorders or organic diseases, but it may also appear alone. The pathophysiology of bloating remains ambiguous, although some evidences support the potential mechanisms, including gut hypersensitivity, impaired gas handling, altered gut microbiota, and abnormal abdominal-phrenic reflexes. Owing to the insufficient understanding of these mechanisms, the available therapeutic options are limited. However, medical treatment with some prokinetics, rifaximin, lubiprostone and linaclotide could be considered in the treatment of bloating. In addition, dietary intervention is important in relieving symptom in patients with bloating.

Keywords: Bloating; Pathophysiology; Rifaximin; Therapy.

Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of interest: None.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Luminal and mucosal colonic microbiota and their roles in gut homeostasis. Modified from Parkes et al.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Potential mechanisms behind bloating and visible distension in functional gastrointestinal disorders. Modified from Simrén. CNS, central nervous system; ENS, enteric nervous system; GI, gastrointestinal.

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