Table 2.

Characteristics of each cluster in terms of prevalence, main symptoms, when and where they occur, their cause and their impact on the individual.

Cluster	Prevalence	Main symptoms	Occurrence	Cause	Impact
Constipation	17.9%	Blocked sensation, dry, small and hard stools, difficult defecation.	At home, during the day.	Physiological: intestinal dysfunction, slow digestion. Lifestyle: delayed defecation as not at home.	Image: feeling heavy and big. Physical condition: afraid of blocked bowel.
Intestinal heaviness	7.6%	Fullness sensation, full tummy, weight in the tummy, pain, twisted intestines.	Evening.	Physiological: intestinal dysfunction, slow digestion. Lifestyle: stress, during periods. Food habits: eat too quickly, eat too much.	Image: feeling heavy and big, I feel bad about my body. Physical condition: tired, loss of energy, lack of well-being. Social life: frustration as cannot eat what I want. Worried about my appearance.
Abdominal pressure	11.4%	Tummy enlarged, hard, rigid wall, tight skin, air bubbles, internal tension, something expanding inside me.	Work place, during the day.	Physiological: intestinal dysfunction, slow digestion. Food habits: eating too much, fatty foods, fruit and vegetables.	Image: feeling heavy and big, feel bad about my body, concern about appearance. Physical condition: backache, work, stress, clothes do not fit, feeling unwell. Social life: social relationship and sex life disturbed. Vitality: lack of vitality and energy.
Swollen tummy	9.1%	Swollen tummy, like a big balloon, tummy feels it is going to explode, something expanding inside me.	Evening.	Physiological: during periods, tired. Food habits: vegetables, spicy food, cereals, do not chew enough.	Image: like a balloon. Physical condition: feeling uncomfortable in clothes.
Intestinal pain	5.9%	Pain, contractions, twisting and stretching.	Night and morning.	Physiological: intestine too sensitive. Food habits: alcohol.	Physical condition: backache, intestinal movement, difficult to work, difficult to concentrate, uncomfortable in clothes. Vitality: bad mood, helpless.
Gurgling	5.3%	Internal movements and gurgling.	Afternoon and evening.	Food habits: coffee, uncooked vegetables, spicy food, too much food, eating too quickly. Lifestyle: tired.	Image: feeling unwell. Physical condition: disturbed at work. Social life: not at ease in surroundings.
Flatulence	14.9%	Frequent gas, smelly wind, cannot stop passing wind, fermented stools.	Out of home.	Food habits: uncooked vegetables, fruits, spicy food, cereals, soft drinks, vegetables, alcohol, eating too quickly, insufficient chewing, food in excess. Lifestyle: hold it in because not at home.	Image: feeling dirty. Physical condition: bad breath, losing control, disturbed at work. Social life: not at ease in surroundings, social relationships disturbed, need isolation, concern about appearance.
Diarrhoea	8.4%	Loose or watery stools, explosive defecation, fermented stools.	During summer, at home, in the morning.	Food habits: uncooked vegetables or fruits, soft drinks, cereals. Physiological: intestine too sensitive, intestinal dysfunction.	Physical condition: bad breath, disturbed at work, interference with daily life. Social life: need of isolation, sensation of losing control of situation, not at ease in surroundings, social relationships and sex life disturbed. Vitality: feeling helpless.
Gastric pain	2.4%	Expanding and tearing tension inside, contractions.	Night and morning.	Physiological: intestinal dysfunction.	Image: feeling dirty. Physical condition: feel unwell, backache and headache, sleeping badly. Social life: need isolation, loss of control, not at ease with surroundings, worse with food consumption, social relationships and sex life disturbed. Vitality: bad mood, feeling helpless.
Acid reflux	8.5%	Burning sensations in the throat, acid reflux.	At home, during sleep.	Physiological: slow digestion. Food habits: fatty food, spicy food, too much coffee, soft drinks, alcohol, eating too quickly. Lifestyle: being stressed.	Physical condition: sleeping problems, bad breath. Social life: frustration about food.
Burning	5.2%	Burning sensations, a volcano in my tummy, hot in tummy, fire inside me.	Workplace.	Physiological: intestine too sensitive. Lifestyle: being stressed. Food habits: coffee, soft drinks.	Physical condition: Disturbance of daily life, difficulties in concentration, poor sleep. Social life: frustration about food, not at ease with surroundings, difficult social relationships. Vitality: lack of vitality, feeling helpless.