What causes abdominal bloating with no gas or bowel movements?

Abdominal bloating, lack of flatulence, and absence of bowel movements may be caused by physiological factors or pathological conditions such as indigestion, hernia, etc. Appropriate treatment should be based on the specific situation. Details are as follows:

I. Physiological Factors

If daily physical activity is limited and excessive eating occurs, intestinal peristalsis may gradually slow down. Food remaining in the stomach for prolonged periods can be broken down by gastric bacteria, producing a certain amount of carbon dioxide, leading to these symptoms. It is recommended to increase physical activity according to individual health conditions to maintain regular bowel movements.

II. Pathological Factors

1. Indigestion

Consuming large amounts of hard-to-digest foods recently—such as rice cakes or glutinous rice dumplings—can lead to this condition. These foods contain high levels of starch with high viscosity and slow digestion rates, resulting in delayed gastric emptying. Undigested starch may also produce gas, causing the aforementioned symptoms. It is recommended to take medications such as domperidone tablets or omeprazole sodium enteric-coated tablets under medical guidance.

2. Hernia

Hernias are primarily associated with congenital developmental abnormalities. If the local abdominal wall tissue is weak, increased intra-abdominal pressure may allow gas to enter the area, triggering a hernia. As the condition progresses, the herniated area enlarges, intra-abdominal pressure remains elevated, and the volume of gas within the abdominal cavity increases, leading to these symptoms. Surgical repair at a hospital is recommended.

In addition, conditions such as intestinal adhesions, rectal polyps, or intestinal tumors may also cause these symptoms. If symptoms persist without improvement, early medical evaluation at a hospital is necessary.