Bloating and Abdominal Distension: Clinical Approach and Management.

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.

Definition

In 2016, the Rome IV working team revised the Rome III diagnostic criteria and updated the clinical evaluation and treatment for functional abdominal bloating and distension (FABD) [1]. According to the Rome IV, FABD is characterized by (subjective) symptoms of recurrent abdominal fullness, pressure, or a sensation of trapped gas (bloating), and/or measurable (objective) increase in abdominal girth (distention) [1]. Bloating and distension may be the manifestations of organic disorders which should be diagnosed and treated separately. Common non-functional etiologies are listed in (Table 1).

Table 1

Non-functional etiologies for abdominal bloating and distension

Celiac disease

Lactose, fructose, and other carbohydrates intolerance

Pancreatic insufficiency

Gastroparesis

Diabetes mellitus

Hypothyroidism

Scleroderma

Chronic idiopathic pseudo-obstruction

Small bowel bacterial overgrowth

Acute gastroenteritis

Gastric malignancy

Bowel malignancy

Ovarian malignancy

Ascites

Primary FABD should be diagnosed as a single entity (the sole or cardinal complaint) that does not overlap with other functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID) such as functional constipation (FC), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and functional dyspepsia (FD). However, Rome IV diagnostic criteria permit the coexistence of mild abdominal pain and/or minor bowel movement abnormalities. Finally, symptom onset should be at least 6 months before diagnosis and the predominant symptom (bloating or distention) should be present during the last 3 months [1].

Epidemiology

Bloating and distension have been reported by 30% of the adult general population and are almost universal among patients with IBS [2]. However only about half of the patients with bloating also report abdominal distension. In addition, bloating is more common among patients with IBS, and distension is more common in patients with chronic constipation [3]. A telephone survey reported a prevalence of 16% in US adults who were asked about bloating or distension during the last month [4]. Women were more likely than men to report bloating (19% vs 10.5%) and were more likely to have severe symptoms (24% vs 13%). However, other studies have not identified different prevalence rates of bloating by gender (21% and 19%) [3, 5].

Pathophysiology

The pathophysiology of FABD is multifactorial and not completely understood. Several underlying mechanisms have been proposed and may coexist in an individual patient (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

Increased Intraluminal Content

Intraluminal content includes gas, air, water, and fecal material. Air and gas may become abundant within the lumen through aerophagia and potentially from overproduction of gas by colonic or small intestine bacteria [6]. Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), gas underabsorption, and diet high in fermentable, poorly digested and absorbed carbohydrates may all play a role [7]. However, recent studies have shown minimal, if any, differences in gas contents between IBS and healthy controls who consumed similar amounts of fermentable carbohydrates [8, 9]. In another study comparing gas contents using a novel abdominal CT method, Accarino et al. did not find any change in the total abdominal volume during episodes of severe bloating, compared to baseline [10]. Therefore, on the basis of the mentioned studies, excessive intraluminal gas is unlikely to be a major underlying mechanism for symptom generation in FABD.

Visceral Hypersensitivity

Functional abdominal bloating and distension may originate from increased gut sensitivity and abnormally increased attention to intraluminal contents. In fact, patients with IBS have an increased awareness of their gut contents and motility, and may experience normal or slightly altered gut intraluminal content as bloating [11]. In their comprehensive review, Malagelada et al. used the term “conscious perception” to explain the role of the brain–gut axis in symptom generation (abdominal bloating). According to this model, visceral allodynia (seen also in IBS) is responsible for the bloating sensation that occurs in the presence of normal or only mildly increased amounts of intraluminal gas or other bowel content [12].

Abdomino-Phrenic Dyssynergia

This term, coined by the Barcelona group, describes the response of patients with FABD to a meal. According to studies by the group, patients with FABD have an abnormal muscle activity characterized by anterior abdominal wall relaxation and diaphragm contraction. This activity redistributes abdominal gas, thereby causing an anterior wall protrusion and visible distension. This is in contrast to healthy controls who in response to a meal experience contraction of anterior abdominal wall muscles and relaxation of the diaphragm [10]. The reason for this paradoxical maneuver in FABD is not completely understood. It may be related to an abnormal viscero-somatic response to innocuous intraluminal stimuli involving the brain–gut axis. Regardless of its cause, the description of abdomino-phrenic dyssynergia represents a novel and major mechanism that may explain the occurrence of FABD [12].

Constipation and Outflow Obstruction

Functional abdominal bloating and distension may be related to constipation and to functional outflow obstruction. Retained stool in the rectum may cause impaired gas evacuation and slowing of intestinal transit [13]. Compared with healthy volunteers, patients with FABD have a slower colonic transit [14]. Randomized controlled trails show that patients with constipation-predominant IBS (IBS-C) treated with lubiprostone or linaclotide experience a significant improvement in bloating [15-17]. Furthermore, among patients with functional outlet obstruction (dyssynergia), prolonged balloon expulsion correlates with the presence of FABD [18].

Obesity

Rapid weight gain and weight loss are associated with aggravation and improvement in bloating, respectively [12]. In one study, recent weight gain coincided with new onset bloating in 25% of the participants [5]. A possible mechanism may involve an abnormal viscero-somatic reflex originating in the abdominal adipose tissue which modulates the brain–gut axis, resulting in FABD [12, 19].

Dysbiosis

Aberrant constitution or alteration in colonic microbacteria may lead to increased production of colonic gas by fermentation or decreased gas consumption, leading to increased colonic gas content and bloating [20]. Collins et al. found that interruption of the host–microbiota equilibrium affects the intestinal immune system and leads to inflammation. This, in turn, leads to gut sensory and motor dysfunction which may contribute to bloating [21]. Others have noted a relationship between colonic flora and the chemical composition of colonic gas. An interesting finding is that low producers of methane describe increased bloating following ingestion of sorbitol and fiber [22]. Molecular analysis of fecal samples from IBS patients have failed to demonstrate a clear unifying texture for the IBS microbiome, but have revealed an increased ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes species [23]. More recently, Ringel-Kulka et al. investigated the relationship between the intestinal microbiota, abdominal bloating, and altered bowel patterns in a cohort of patients with IBS and found significant changes in microbiota among different IBS subtypes. In particular, the authors noted that bloating was associated with specific microbial taxa [24].

Psychological Comorbidities

The relationship between psychological comorbidities and FABD has not been fully investigated. Nevertheless, it has been suggested that stress may contribute to increased perception of abdominal bloating. In one study it was reported that women with bloating frequently reported a history of depression and anxiety [25].

Evaluation

As for any other medical condition, evaluation starts with a detailed medical history, physical examination, and appropriate diagnostic tests. As mentioned, it is crucial to exclude any organic cause for bloating and distention, including celiac disease or any other malabsorptive disorder, gut dysmotility, and chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction. Common organic etiologies responsible for abdominal bloating and distension are described in Table 1.

In addition, the presence of alarm signs, such as weight loss, rectal bleeding, or anemia, should be investigated immediately. History taking should focus on diurnal changes, relationship to certain foods or food components (dairy products, wheat, fructans, fat, fiber, poorly digested and absorbed carbohydrates), and change in bowel habits. The severity of FABD is often lowest in the morning/night and greatest post-prandial (after breakfast) and during the early evening [26]. Symptoms suggestive of an overlap with IBS, functional dyspepsia, or functional constipation should be recorded as well. A concurrent diagnosis of another FGID often changes treatment modalities.

A physical exam may reveal an increase in abdominal girth and signs of bowel obstruction. Rectal and pelvic examination should be performed in constipated patients. Abdominal distention may be objectively assessed by abdominal inductance plethysmography, an ambulatory device that can continuously measure patients’ abdominal girth [27]. Although there are no validated guidelines for the evaluation of FABD, the Rome IV 2016 working group recommends basic diagnostic tests such as complete blood count (CBC) if anemia is suspected, celiac serology (and if positive, duodenal biopsies should be added), abdominal x-ray to rule out obstruction, and a breath test for the diagnosis of SIBO [28].

Treatment

After the exclusion of alarm signs, organic disease, and overlap with other FGID, the next step is to offer a stepwise, individualized treatment as described in Fig. 1. Patients with mild functional bloating may need merely reassurance that the condition is benign and does not herald any life-threatening disease.

Symptomatic Treatment

Several agents are available for the treatment of FABD. Antispasmodics have shown some clinical benefit in symptoms relief in some patients [12]. Simethicone was found to reduce the frequency and severity of gas, distention, and bloating in a double-blind trial [29]. In two other controlled trials, peppermint oil significantly reduced distention compared to placebo [30, 31]. Despite their popularity, evidence is lacking in regard to other commonly used agents such as activated charcoal, Iberogast, and magnesium salts.

Dietary Intervention

The role of dietary therapy in the management of bloating symptoms is crucial and generally introduced early in the treatment plan. The main rationale of dietary therapy is to identify foods to which the patient is intolerant and thereby reduce excessive fermentation of food residues. Empiric restriction of lactose and other poorly absorbed carbohydrates may be initially performed [12]. Alternatively, a low FODMAP (fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols) diet and other elimination diets may be offered to patients with FABD who have failed restriction diets [32]. In our opinion, diet interventions with restrictive diets should be delivered by trained dieticians who closely collaborate with the clinician. This approach may increase the patient’s compliance and reduce the risk of nutritional deficiencies. It should be noted that an over-restrictive diet may in and of itself alter the colonic microbiota with undesired consequences [33]. Although unproven, in certain cases it seems appropriate to assess objectively the presence of carbohydrate intolerances by performing the corresponding breath tests [12].

Relief of Constipation

Patients with chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) and IBS-C commonly report of bloating. Lubiprostone, a chloride channel agonist, was found to decrease bloating in two placebo-controlled clinical trials that enrolled patients with IBS-C [16, 34]. Prucalopride, a selective 5-HT4 receptor agonist, was found to increase spontaneous bowel movements and to reduce bloating [35]. Similarly, linaclotide, a guanylate cyclase C agonist, was found to improve constipation (increased spontaneous bowel movements) and to reduce abdominal pain and bloating in patients with CIC and IBS-C [36-42].

Finally, in one small placebo-controlled clinical trial, intravenous administration of neostigmine was found to enhance clearance of infused jejunal gas in a cohort of patients with abdominal bloating [43]. However, in another trial of IBS patients with bloating, it was found that pyridostigmine provided only a minimal effect on symptoms [44].

Microbiome Modulation

Reducing gas-producing bacteria or causing alterations of their metabolic activities may decrease excessive fermentation and bloating. Rifaximin, a poorly absorbed broad-spectrum antibiotic, was found to improve bloating and flatulence in controlled trials in patients with and without IBS [45, 46]. Probiotics may become a therapeutic option in FABD; however, studies have revealed mixed results, probably due to the lack of standardized study methods [47, 48]. In a recent review, it was suggested that probiotics have a role in the treatment of functional gastrointestinal disorders [49]. In a double-blind study by Ringel et al. it was shown that Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium lactis Bi-07 improved bloating in non-constipated patients with FGID [50].

Abdominal Biofeedback Therapy

As previously described, post-prandial FABD may result from abnormal anterior abdominal wall relaxation and diaphragmatic contraction. These behaviors cause a redistribution of intrabdominal gas, resulting in an anterior wall protrusion and visible distension [10].

The explanation for these behaviors may be related to an abnormal viscero-somatic reflex, causing a thoraco-abdominal striated muscular activity that reshapes the abdomen and pushes it to protrude anteriorly [12]. This abnormal reflex activity or behavior is potentially amenable to biofeedback therapy. In fact, Barba et al. showed that it is possible to educate patients on how to use their abdominal and diaphragmatic muscles [51]. FGID patients with distension were randomized to biofeedback or placebo. Biofeedback sessions were offered on separate days up to three times during a 1- to 2-week period [12, 51]. Biofeedback effectively diminished diaphragmatic and intercostal muscle contraction, decreasing both subjective bloating and abdominal girth [51]. These findings suggest that FABD may be improved by performing diaphragmatic or abdominal breathing. This simplification of biofeedback training, 5 min before and 5 min after meals, effectively relaxes the intercostal muscles and the diaphragm while contracting the anterior abdominal muscles [51].

Modulating the Brain–Gut Axis

If an amplified perception of bowel wall stretch and visceral hypersensitivity are key components in the pathogenesis of FABD, then modulating the brain–gut axis seems to be a reasonable treatment option. Antidepressants, such as tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and selective noradrenalin reuptake inhibitors (SNRI), were evaluated in patients with IBS. However, their exact role of these antidepressants in improving bloating symptoms is unclear [52, 53]. In a small, controlled crossover study, citalopram (an SSRI) showed an increase in the number of days without bloating at 3 and 6 weeks [53].

In another study, desipramine (TCA) combined with cognitive behavioral therapy decreased bloating [54]. Hypnotherapy and cognitive behavioral therapy, which are commonly offered to patients with IBS, may also be effective in patients with FABD [12, 55].

Compliance with Ethics Guidelines

This review article is based on previously conducted studies and reviews and does not contain any studies with human participants or animals performed by any of the authors.

Summary

Functional abdominal bloating and distension is a prevalent condition, with an adverse effect on general well-being and quality of life. Therapy may target gut motility, muscular tone, microbiota, visceral sensitivity, diet, and/or psychological comorbidity. A stepwise, multidisciplinary, individualized approach is desirable. Further studies are warranted to better elucidate the pathophysiological basis of FABD. Well-designed clinical trials in which bloating and distention are primary endpoints are needed to validate the putative treatments.