Medical Terminology for Bloating
The medical term for bloating is "abdominal bloating," which is formally defined as a subjective sensation of trapped gas, abdominal pressure, and fullness, and when severe enough to impair daily activities, it is classified as a disorder of gut-brain interaction (DGBI). 1
Formal Medical Definitions
Abdominal bloating refers specifically to the subjective sensation of trapped gas, abdominal pressure, and fullness without necessarily having a measurable increase in abdominal girth. 2
Abdominal distention is the related but distinct term for a measurable, objective increase in abdominal girth. 1, 2
These two terms are often used together but represent different phenomena—bloating is what the patient feels, while distention is what can be measured. 2
Clinical Classification
When bloating symptoms occur frequently or severely enough to disrupt daily activities (more than 3 days per week), they meet criteria for functional abdominal bloating and distention, which is a specific DGBI category under Rome IV diagnostic criteria. 1
The global prevalence of functional bloating and distention as a primary disorder is 3.5% (4.6% in women and 2.4% in men). 1, 3
However, bloating is far more common (>50%) when it occurs alongside other DGBIs such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), functional constipation, or functional dyspepsia. 1
Related Medical Terms
Meteorism is an older, less commonly used medical term that also refers to abdominal bloating or gaseous distention. 4
Tympanites is another archaic term referring to abdominal distention with gas. 4
Flatulence specifically refers to the passage of intestinal gas, which is distinct from bloating but may occur together. 1
Important Clinical Distinction
The term "bloating" in medical documentation should specify whether it refers to the subjective sensation alone or includes objective distention, as this distinction guides diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. 2, 5