WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE . . .

...between bloating and distention?

BLOATING refers to the uncomfortable feeling of swelling and tightness in the abdomen, but it does not necessarily come with a visible change of shape.

It can be the result of a number of things, such as having a lot of gas in the gut, feeling very full after eating or misfiring of the brain’s hunger and fullness signals. Many women also feel bloated around the time of their period.

Distention is a physical increase in abdominal size, which usually comes alongside the feeling of being bloated.

When this happens often, it is usually due to an underlying condition. This includes an abnormal build-up of fluid in the abdomen, an ovarian cyst or a partial bowel blockage.