Bloating and Distension in Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Recent Advances, Speculations, and Possible Implications for Future Treatment

Review Article

Bloating and Distension in Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Recent Advances, Speculations, and Possible Implications for Future Treatment

Lesley A Houghton

Affiliation: Neurogastroenterology Unit, School of Translational Medicine, GI Sciences, The University of Manchester, Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester, UK

ABSTRACT

The sensation of bloating, which is sometimes accompanied by an increase in abdominal girth (i.e., distension), is one of the commonest, most bothersome, and difficult to treat features of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). This review aims to clarify the meaning of the terms bloating and distension, explore their association with the other cardinal symptoms of IBS, identify factors that are associated with their presence, discuss various pathophysiologies and their possible interaction, and consequently how treatment could be targeted in future.

Keywords: bloating, distension, irritable bowel syndrome, diarrhea, constipation, transit, visceral sensation

Correspondence: L A Houghton, Neurogastroenterology Unit, Wythenshawe Hospital, Southmoor Road, Manchester, M23 9LT, UK. Tel: (44)‐0161‐291‐4186; Fax: (44)‐0161‐291‐4184; e‐mail: Lesley.Houghton@manchester.ac.uk