Flatulence (Meteorism): Medical History

Medical history (history of illness) represents an important component in the diagnosis of meteorism (flatulence).

Family history

  • Are there any diseases of the gastrointestinal tract in your family that are common?

Social history

  • Is there any evidence of psychosocial stress or strain due to your family situation?

Current medical history/systemic history (somatic and psychological complaints).

  • Do you often feel bloated after eating?
  • Do your clothes pinch your stomach?
  • Do you have a feeling of pain/pressure in the middle/lower abdomen?
  • How long have you had the discomfort?
  • Are the complaints consistent or what has been better or worse?
  • Do you have:
    • Belching?
    • Heartburn?
    • Nausea?
  • Do you have abdominal pain? If so, where and when?
  • Do you have increased meteorism after consuming.
    • Milk and dairy products?
    • Fruit?
    • Sorbitol-containing foods (sorbitol is a sugar substitute; contained, for example, in: dried dates, apples, apricots)?
  • You noticed an improvement by:
    • Bowel movement?
    • Winds?
    • Lying down?
    • Rest?
    • Laxative?
  • Have you noticed any unwanted weight loss?
  • Have you noticed blood buildup or mucus buildup on the stool?
  • What other symptoms did you notice?

Vegetative anamnesis including nutritional anamnesis.

  • Has your appetite changed?
  • What are your eating habits like?
  • Do you like to eat legumes, and the like?
  • Do you smoke? If yes, how many cigarettes, cigars or pipes per day?
  • Do you drink alcohol? If yes, what drink(s) and how many glasses per day?
  • Do you use drugs? If yes, what drugs and how often per day or per week?

Self history incl. medication history.

  • Pre-existing conditions (gastrointestinal diseases).
  • Operations
  • Allergies

Medications