Could the location of abdominal bloating help distinguish between disorders of gut–brain interaction? In this interview, Lukas Michaja Balsiger of KU Leuven discusses findings linking upper abdominal bloating more closely to functional dyspepsia and lower abdominal bloating to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). 

He highlights the substantial burden of this symptom and distinguishes the sensation of bloating from visible abdominal distension. Alongside these clinical observations, Balsiger explores unresolved questions about the microbiome: although changes in fecal and mucosa-associated microbial communities have been reported in IBS, their role as a cause or consequence of altered gut function remains unclear. 

Whether bloating location reflects differences in microbial composition along the gastrointestinal tract is still speculative. Further research is needed to clarify these relationships and their potential implications for treatment.