Diagnosing flatulence The flatulence itself does not require a diagnosis, if the patient is passing wind a lot, then he/she has flatulence. The doctor may try to find out what the underlying cause might be.
The doctor will check the patient's medical history, ask questions about dietary habits, and carry out a physical exam. He/she will check to determine whether there is any distension in the abdomen and listen for a hollow sound by tapping the abdomen (a hollow sound usually means there is gas).
The doctor may also ask about the patient's bowel movements, whether there is any straining when passing a stool, or whether there is abdominal pain after meals. These kinds of questions may help the doctor decide whether the patient might be suffering from IBS (irritable bowel syndrome).