warum sieht mein bauch aus wie schwanger — when to see a doctor?

A bloated belly that looks like a pregnancy can have various causes. Often it is due to increased gas production in the gut, e.g., from hard-to-digest foods (legumes, cabbage, onions), food intolerances (lactose, fructose, gluten), or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) or constipation are also possible. Important: A persistently bloated belly should be evaluated by a doctor, especially if accompanied by pain, diarrhea, weight loss, or blood in stool. Blood tests for IgG antibodies against foods, as sold by some companies (e.g., MyBody-X), are not scientifically validated for diagnosing intolerances. They often yield false positives and may lead to unnecessary dietary restrictions. Instead, medical guidelines recommend a controlled elimination and challenge test under medical supervision. A stool microbiome test can provide insights into gut flora but does not replace a medical diagnosis. For persistent symptoms, seeing a gastroenterologist or primary care physician is the safest course.