NHS Choices Condition
Content supplied by NHS Choices
Flatulence does not usually require a medical diagnosis, unless you are also experiencing additional symptoms, such as persistent abdominal pain, or blood in your stools, which may suggest that you have an underlying digestive condition.
In these circumstances, a blood test can be used to check for the presence of infection, and to determine whether you have a condition that is linked to a food intolerance, such as coeliac disease, or lactose intolerance.
Your GP may also ask you detailed questions about your symptoms and your bowel movements, such as whether you have to strain to pass a stool, or if you experience abdominal pain after eating. This sort of information can be useful in confirming a diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
If your additional symptoms are particularly severe, your GP may refer you for an endoscopy. An endoscopy is a procedure where a healthcare professional examines the inside of your stomach using a device called an endoscope. An endoscope is a thin, long flexible tube which has a light and a video camera at one end.
view information about Flatulence on www.nhs.co.uk »Important Notice
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