A stool test is a critical part of a comprehensive gut evaluation. However, not all stool tests are created equal. And unfortunately, your doctor may not know that. Many health practitioners understand that treating the gut is important for many health conditions, but most of them don’t know the best way to evaluate the gut. This article reviews the basics of stool testing so you don’t waste your money on the wrong test.

Bloating is the sensation of pressure in the abdomen WITHOUT a change in girth. A change is girth (often described as a pregnant belly look by patients) is abdominal distention. You can have bloating with abdominal distention but you may just have bloating. With abdominal distention, there is usually pain, which we call visceral hypersensitivity