Abdominal bloating
What this marker measures
The degree to which bother from a sensation of abdominal bloating is experienced.
Health categories/Interpretations informed by this marker
Clinical features
● Lower GI symptoms: abdominal bloating is a commonly-reported lower gastrointestinal symptom that can affect quality of life.
Interpreting the result
Patient management insights
GRADE C
Take alpha-galactosidase enzyme: supplementation with the enzyme α-galactosidase during meals may reduce bloating in GOS-sensitive IBS patients.4
GRADE C
Take ginger: ginger tablets may improve severity and frequency of constipation and nausea, and bloating severity, in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.5
GRADE C
Take PHGG: partially hydrolysed guar gum may improve bloating, stool frequency, stool form, straining, incomplete emptying sensation, abdominal pain and reliance on laxatives in patients with constipation, including those with slow transit.6–8
GRADE D
Tips for patients discussion
"Your questionnaire responses show that bloating is something you're experiencing. Bloating is very common and can affect how you feel day to day. There are a few options we can try to help ease it, and we'll start with the one that best suits your situation."
Source references for all clinical associations, interpretation definitions, and patient management insights on this card.
1. Dorosti, M. et al. Association of dietary fat type with abdominal bloating: a case control study. BMC Gastroenterol 26, 94 (2026).
2. Cappello, G. et al. Peppermint oil (Mintoil) in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome: a prospective double blind placebo-controlled randomized trial. Dig Liver Dis 39, 530–536 (2007).
3. Liu, J.-H. et al. Enteric-coated peppermint-oil capsules in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome: a prospective, randomized trial. J Gastroenterol 32, 765–768 (1997).
4. Tuck, C. J. et al. Increasing symptoms in irritable bowel symptoms with ingestion of galacto-oligosaccharides are mitigated by α-galactosidase treatment. Am J Gastroenterol (2017). doi:10.1038/ajg.2017.245
5. Foshati, S. et al. The effects of ginger supplementation on common gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial. BMC Complement Med Ther 23 (2023). doi:10.1186/s12906-023-04227-x
6. Kapoor, M. P. et al. Impact of partially hydrolyzed guar gum (PHGG) on constipation prevention: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Funct Foods 33, 52–66 (2017).
7. Polymeros, D. et al. Partially hydrolyzed guar gum accelerates colonic transit time and improves symptoms in adults with chronic constipation. Dig Dis Sci 59, 2207–2214 (2014).
8. Russo, L. et al. Partially hydrolyzed guar gum in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome with constipation: effects of gender, age, and body mass index. Saudi J Gastroenterol 21, 104–110 (2015).