Meteorism

The excessive accumulation of gas within the gastrointestinal tract, producing abdominal distension, bloating, and tympanic percussion due to increased intraluminal gas volume.

Causes

• Aerophagia (air swallowing)

  • Rapid eating or drinking

  • Chewing gum

  • Carbonated beverages

  • Anxiety-related air swallowing

  • Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)

• Dietary causes and carbohydrate fermentation

  • Increased intake of fermentable carbohydrates

  • High-fiber foods

  • Artificial sweeteners containing polyols (sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol)

  • Excessive intake of gas-producing foods

  • Bacterial fermentation of undigested carbohydrates

• Malabsorption disorders

  • Lactose intolerance

  • Celiac disease

  • Fructose malabsorption

• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

• Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)

• Colonic bacterial composition

• Motility and transit disorders

  • Constipation

  • Delayed gastrointestinal transit

  • Gastroparesis

  • Intestinal pseudo-obstruction

• Mechanical and surgical causes

  • Bowel obstruction/adhesions

  • Postoperative ileus

• Inflammatory and ischemic causes

  • Intestinal ischemia

  • Peritonitis

  • Inflammatory bowel disease

  • Gastroenteritis