Questionnaire — Bloating

Self-assessment for bloating: could a probiotic really help?
An informational tool based on clinical guidelines to understand if a probiotic may be indicated for you.
Offered by drdesimone.net and CDS22-formula

Disclaimer & privacy

This questionnaire is for informational and self-assessment purposes only. It does not provide a diagnosis and does not replace medical advice.

Any decisions regarding diet, lifestyle, or the use of supplements/probiotics should be made together with your doctor, especially in the presence of medical conditions, during pregnancy/breastfeeding, or when taking medications.

Privacy — This questionnaire runs entirely in your browser: we do not collect, store, track or transmit any data (personal or answers). Information remains on your device and disappears when you close or refresh the page. See our Privacy Policy.

Red flags

If one or more are present, stop the self-assessment and consult your doctor.

Assessment of IBS-characteristic symptoms

Please answer all questions.
1) After going to the bathroom, does bloating improve?
Need help?
Example: abdomen tense before evacuating, less distended afterwards.
2) Is bloating associated with diarrhea or constipation?
Need help?
On days you are bloated, you go to the bathroom much more or much less than usual, or stools are much looser or much harder.
3) On your worst days, are stools looser and/or do you have urgency to go?
Need help?
You have to rush to the bathroom and/or stools are unformed.
4) Did the problem start after a stomach bug or a course of antibiotics?
Need help?
Select “Yes” if symptoms appeared within 3 months of antibiotics or a gastrointestinal infection.
5) Does your abdomen swell especially in the evening or after high-FODMAP meals (legumes, onion, sweets, ripe fruit)?
Need help?
Notice if bloating worsens in the evening or after large meals or with foods like legumes, onions, fructose-rich fruit, crucifers.
6) Have you ever been told you might have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)?
Need help?
Select “Yes” if your doctor suspected irritable bowel syndrome.

Alternative causes of bloating

Please answer all questions.
7) Do you get bloated after milk/dairy (with diarrhea within 1–2 hours)?
Need help?
Select “Yes” if after milk/yogurt/ice-cream you generally have bloating and/or diarrhea within a few hours.
8) Do you swallow air (e.g., eating fast or carbonated drinks)?
Need help?
Select “Yes” if bloating is high-up with frequent belching, especially after fast meals or fizzy drinks.
9) Do you have severe constipation (<3 bowel movements/week), without relief after evacuating?
Need help?
Select “Yes” if fewer than 3 BMs/week with very hard stools (pellets/lumps) and no relief after.
10) Does bloating increase especially on menstrual days?
Need help?
In the days preceding or during menses, bloating increases noticeably.
11) Do you suspect SIBO: bloating, headache, lightheadedness/brain fog, with very tense abdomen or gas, 1–2 hours after sugary or carb-rich foods (bread, pasta, sweets)?
Need help?
Select “Yes” if bloating regularly appears 1–2 hours after bread/pasta/sweets, with very tense abdomen and strong-smelling gas. Consider discussing specific tests with your doctor.
Warning: At least one red flag is present. Stop here and contact your doctor.
Total score: 0.0
Answer the questions to get the classification.

Bloating diary

One minute a day to turn confusion into clarity. Download the diary, note the essentials, and find what truly works for you. Useful to learn about yourself, track, adjust, and discuss with your doctor based on facts.

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