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)