In brief
A feeling that your tummy is stretched, gassy or full. It is very common and often linked to food, but some symptoms that come with it need a doctor.
- See your doctor as soon as possible if bloating comes with diarrhoea, vomiting, blood in your poo, weight loss or a fever.
- Increase fibre slowly and drink enough water, because a high-fibre diet may not prevent constipation without it.
- Coeliac disease can only be confirmed with proper testing, including a small bowel biopsy.
When to get help
Get help now
- If you need urgent medical help, call triple zero (000) immediately.
See your doctor if
- Diarrhoea or vomiting.
- Ongoing or severe tummy pain.
- Blood in your poo or a change in your poo.
- Weight loss without trying.
- Loss of appetite or feeling full quickly.
- Fever.
Things that can contribute
- Certain foods
- Eating fast and swallowing air
- Fizzy drinks or chewing gum
- Constipation
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Coeliac disease
- Food intolerances
Questions you could ask your GP
- Should I be tested for coeliac disease before changing my diet?
- Could this be IBS, and would a dietitian help?
- Could any of my medicines be causing bloating?
Based on healthdirect Australia, Bloating. You can also check your symptoms with the healthdirect Symptom Checker, or speak with a registered nurse on 1800 022 222.
How it works
healthdirect lists everyday causes such as certain foods, swallowing air when eating too fast, and fizzy drinks or chewing gum. Regular bloating can come from conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, coeliac disease and food intolerances, such as lactose intolerance.
Adjusting your diet can help, and if constipation is part of the problem, more high-fibre foods and regular exercise can help. Your doctor may suggest blood or stool tests, a camera test to look inside your gut, or a scan. If you think you may have coeliac disease, keep eating gluten until you are tested.
Connections
5 connections on the map. Select a topic to read its page.
Bloating and tummy discomfort can be caused by
Stomach bloating and wind are symptoms of IBS.
Source: healthdirect Australia, Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Bloating and passing wind can be symptoms of coeliac disease.
Sources: healthdirect Australia, Coeliac disease; healthdirect Australia, Bloating
Constipation is one of the conditions that can cause bloating.
Source: healthdirect Australia, Bloating
Bloating and tummy discomfort is linked with
Food intolerances can cause bloating, gas and stomach aches.
Source: healthdirect Australia, Food intolerance and testing
Feeling bloated is a symptom of PMS.
Lab tests
Sources
Each connection above names its own source. See every source AskBioMap uses.
Summarised from healthdirect and the Better Health Channel. Sources read on 12, 13 and 16 October 2026. General education only, not medical advice. Spotted a mistake? Please tell us through the HuBu-Intel contact page.