Abdominal Distention: Everything You Need To Know

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Chapters

0:00 Introduction
0:40 Causes of Abdominal Distention
2:00 Symptoms of Abdominal Distention
2:16 Diagnosis and treatment for Abdominal Distention
2:56 Treatment of Abdominal Distention

Abdominal distension occurs when substances, such as air (gas) or fluid, accumulate in the abdomen causing its expansion.[1] It is typically a symptom of an underlying disease or dysfunction in the body, rather than an illness in its own right. People with this condition often describe it as "feeling bloated". Affected people often experience a sensation of fullness, abdominal pressure, and sometimes nausea, pain, or cramping. In the most extreme cases, upward pressure on the diaphragm and lungs can also cause shortness of breath. Through a variety of causes (see below), bloating is most commonly due to buildup of gas in the stomach, small intestine, or colon. The pressure sensation is often relieved, or at least lessened, by belching or flatulence. Medications that settle gas in the stomach and intestines are also commonly used to treat the discomfort and lessen the abdominal distension. Experts believe[who?] that a major cause of abnormal bloating is excessive eating and air swallowing, known as aerophagia.[non-primary source needed] Other causes of bloating and distension include inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn's disease[2][3] and ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, diabetes, functional dyspepsia, or transient constipation. In rare cases, bloating may occur in individuals who have milk intolerance (lactose intolerance), parasite infections such as giardia, food poisoning (bacteria), celiac disease, severe peptic ulcer disease, bowel obstruction, or after certain types of abdominal surgery.[citation needed]

Heart failure and cirrhosis are also a common cause of distension. In both of these disorders, fluid accumulates in the abdomen and creates a sensation of fullness. Abdominal distension can also be a symptom of ovarian cancer. Women are more prone to bloating and often identify these symptoms during menstruation.[4] Some individuals who develop distension may have either poor motility of their intestines or may be hypersensitive to gut sensations.[5] Certain medications, such as antidepressants and anti-spasmodics, can contribute to reduced gut motility. Studies have shown that swallowing air during eating or delayed emptying of the stomach from hyperacidity leads to bloating after a meal. Individuals who are constipated also complain of bloating. In some individuals who are hypersensitive, any volume of air may be perceived as fullness and there may not be actual abdominal distension.[6][7]

Abdominal distension (or "distended abdomen") can be a sign of many other conditions, including:

Ascites
Capillaria philippinensis
Celiac disease
Coccidiosis
Cystic fibrosis
Diverticulitis
Eosinophilic gastroenteritis
Fasciolosis
Gastroparesis
Giardiasis
Hookworm disease
Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis)
Kidney stones
Kwashiorkor
Lactose intolerance
Obstructed bowel
Ovarian cancer
Polycystic liver disease
Pregnancy
Premenstrual syndrome
Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection
Small bowel bacterial overgrowth syndrome
Strongyloidiasis
Tropical sprue
Weight gain
Whipple's disease
Anterior Pelvic Tilt (Lower Cross Syndrome)

Persistent or recurrent bloating may be caused by intestinal parasites, other infections, or other medical conditions.[citation needed]
Diagnosis

The first step in diagnosis is to determine the etiology of abdominal distension. After making a differential diagnosis of abdominal distension, it is important to take a careful medical history.

Here are the most common causes of abdominal distension classified as an underlying cause and as a secondary disease.

As an underlying disease cause:

Constipation
Lactose intolerance and other food intolerances
Overeating (due to overproduction of gases in the digestion process)

As a secondary disease cause:

Celiac disease
GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease)
Peptic ulcer disease
Accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity (e.g., ascites)

[africanfufu]

I just feel like I’ve been diagnosed by watching this video. I need to go check up. My stomach has been little bulging and I always feel full even without eating . Something clearly is not right in there.

[rachellizzie]

My stomach is so big right now and i can barely eat a meal without having constant pain. It keeps getting bigger every day, but Im losing weight, because I cant eat. Also I am havign an upper gi series this week so hopefully that will show something, because Im extremely uncomfortable.

[celiaperez]

My stomach feels like 4 months pregnant and I don't even eat that much. I just need a tummy tuck 🤢 idk what to do anymore

[tiwariji]

My cause is due to IBS And Lactose Intolerance 🙂🙂.. but i don't know when to get fit

[darrenhirst]

When you're male and women asks you when you're due?😂

[spinebuster]

_Quick fix: Avoid overeating. Don't drink soft drinks. Drink lots of water_

[sapnasingla]

My causes : kidney stone and weight gain
Symptoms: abdominal pain and cramping

[giorgiog]

Something is off with my stomach. Since the pandemic, I got abdomen got super distant with this hard type of lamp pulling around my lower right abdomen like something is stuck in there. Also. I do have right Lower back pain ( opposite side of each other. ) i have frequent urination. Dribbling urine. Diarrah. Etc.. I thought it was appendicitis but no. All tests came back negative. I am loosing my damn mind. 😭😭😭

[batulkhan]

From past 3days i m notice the my lower belly has increased much just like a pouch, I m not married yet, worrying about it plz can some say y is it

[maralindkrejci]

Your photos show people that do not have a visible distended stomach or at least what I would call distended. Is there anyone that has followed any of the treatments you suggest and show photos of proof that the treatment works?

[nonnalovepriceless]

I have a swallon colon and can’t go loo 😢😢😢😢😢😢

[karenohanlon]

I have a hernia and swallow air. I chew gum.
My stomach swells on eating bread or eating too fast.

[ralbarran]

I've decided that I have.... let's see... Ascites. Yes, that must be it.

[think]

Low fiber diet shows a lettuce salad???

[Olivia--]

Excessive eating. Constipation. Wheat allergy. Parasites. Bacteria fungus. That's me. Slowly but surely getting worse. I do well eating small portions for a while....then eat bagels and pizza ..🥴

[timetraveler]

whoa i think i might be pregnant .... better stop drinking ... im a man but the news says i can get pregnant n ow.