Abdominal distension is caused due to increased abdominal pressure and visible enlargement. It is common in GI disorder Abdominal bloating is a feeling of heaviness in the stomach usually accompanied with visible abdominal distension.
Bloating and distension both causes discomfort and pain to reduce quality of living.
In distension it shows increased abdominal size from food intolerance, digestive disorder, or gut bacteria overgrowth.
In this condition one should notice swelling of their belly. It may occur in acute and chronic forms.
Many healthcare providers describe a distended abdomen in five ‘f’s as:
flatus (gas)
fetus
feces
fluid
fat
Epidemiology
It affects 10% to 15% of the world population with bloating and distension symptoms.
IBS and functional dyspepsia patients experience distension, while constipation patients suffer from bloating.
Epidemiological studies assess prevalence and incidence of abdominal distension in various populations to understand how common this condition is.
Many people experience occasional bloating due to diet or temporary conditions.
Anatomy
Pathophysiology
Common cause of abdominal distension is gas accumulation in gastrointestinal tract.
Ascites occurs when fluid accumulates in the abdomen from cirrhosis, heart failure, or certain cancers causing bloating.
Intestinal inflammation can cause thickened lining, reduced motility, and abdominal bloating.
People with bowel disorders may feel bloated and sensitive to gas and contractions with minimum swelling.
Etiology
Causes for abdominal distension as:
Digestive Disorder
Fluid Buildup
Lactose Intolerance
Bacterial Overgrowth
Intestinal gas
Cyst or Tumor
Weak Abdominal Muscles
Genetics
Prognostic Factors
IBS has good prognosis with symptom management, advanced liver disease with ascites has poorer prognosis.
Distension severity affects prognosis. Acute from temporary diet error resolves fast with dietary changes.
Effectiveness of treatment, symptom management, distension reduction are important prognostic factors.
Clinical History
Abdominal distension affects individuals across various age groups including Children and Adolescents, young adults, and older adults with respect toage-related changes in gastrointestinal motility and increased prevalence of chronic conditions.
Physical Examination
Gastrointestinal Examination
Measurement of Abdominal Girth
Assessment of Percussion and Auscultation
Age group
Associated comorbidity
Associated activity
Acuity of presentation
Acute abdominal pain with distension, nausea, vomiting, constipation, dehydration, and electrolyte imbalances.
Abdominal pain begins near the umbilicus area, then moves to right lower quadrant. Episodes of bloating in the abdomen can be triggered by stress or food.
Differential Diagnoses
Pancreatitis
Diverticulitis
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Ascites
Laboratory Studies
Imaging Studies
Procedures
Histologic Findings
Staging
Treatment Paradigm
Use of antacids and proton pump inhibitors for gastroesophageal reflux disease to reduce stomach acid.
Use of prokinetics drug to enhance gastrointestinal motility also used in gastroparesis or functional dyspepsia.
Use of antispasmodics to relieve abdominal cramping and discomfort, especially in functional bowel disorders.
Laxative agents help to relieve constipation-related distension with good bowel movements.
Diuretics are important to manage ascites and fluid retention associated with conditions like heart failure or liver cirrhosis.
Treatment of underlying conditions includes functional bowel disorders, inflammatory bowel disease, and bowel obstruction.
Paracentesis performed for removal of ascitic fluid in severe ascites cases.
Endoscopy is conducted for treating strictures, polyps and tumors.
Surgical procedures including laparotomy and laparoscopy are used as per severity of patient.
use-of-phases-in-managing-abdominal-distension
In the initial diagnosis phase, evaluation of medical history, physical examination, and laboratory test to confirm diagnosis.
Pharmacologic therapy is very effective in the treatment phase as it includes use of diuretics, laxatives, PPIs and surgical intervention if needed. (in chronic cases only)
In supportive care and management phase, patients should receive required attention such as lifestyle modification and rehabilitation.
The regular follow-up visits with the gastroenterologist are schedule to check the improvement of patients along with treatment response.
Tea
Take a cup orally as needed
1.5 to 4.5 g leaf in 150 ml of water
Tincture
Take a dose of 2 to 6 ml thrice a day
Cream/ointment
Apply 1% of a 70:1 ratio of lyophilized aqueous extract topically two to four times a day up to two weeks
Abdominal distension is caused due to increased abdominal pressure and visible enlargement. It is common in GI disorder Abdominal bloating is a feeling of heaviness in the stomach usually accompanied with visible abdominal distension.
Bloating and distension both causes discomfort and pain to reduce quality of living.
In distension it shows increased abdominal size from food intolerance, digestive disorder, or gut bacteria overgrowth.
In this condition one should notice swelling of their belly. It may occur in acute and chronic forms.
Many healthcare providers describe a distended abdomen in five ‘f’s as:
flatus (gas)
fetus
feces
fluid
fat
It affects 10% to 15% of the world population with bloating and distension symptoms.
IBS and functional dyspepsia patients experience distension, while constipation patients suffer from bloating.
Epidemiological studies assess prevalence and incidence of abdominal distension in various populations to understand how common this condition is.
Many people experience occasional bloating due to diet or temporary conditions.
Common cause of abdominal distension is gas accumulation in gastrointestinal tract.
Ascites occurs when fluid accumulates in the abdomen from cirrhosis, heart failure, or certain cancers causing bloating.
Intestinal inflammation can cause thickened lining, reduced motility, and abdominal bloating.
People with bowel disorders may feel bloated and sensitive to gas and contractions with minimum swelling.
Causes for abdominal distension as:
Digestive Disorder
Fluid Buildup
Lactose Intolerance
Bacterial Overgrowth
Intestinal gas
Cyst or Tumor
Weak Abdominal Muscles
IBS has good prognosis with symptom management, advanced liver disease with ascites has poorer prognosis.
Distension severity affects prognosis. Acute from temporary diet error resolves fast with dietary changes.
Effectiveness of treatment, symptom management, distension reduction are important prognostic factors.
Abdominal distension affects individuals across various age groups including Children and Adolescents, young adults, and older adults with respect toage-related changes in gastrointestinal motility and increased prevalence of chronic conditions.
Gastrointestinal Examination
Measurement of Abdominal Girth
Assessment of Percussion and Auscultation
Acute abdominal pain with distension, nausea, vomiting, constipation, dehydration, and electrolyte imbalances.
Abdominal pain begins near the umbilicus area, then moves to right lower quadrant. Episodes of bloating in the abdomen can be triggered by stress or food.
Pancreatitis
Diverticulitis
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Ascites
Use of antacids and proton pump inhibitors for gastroesophageal reflux disease to reduce stomach acid.
Use of prokinetics drug to enhance gastrointestinal motility also used in gastroparesis or functional dyspepsia.
Use of antispasmodics to relieve abdominal cramping and discomfort, especially in functional bowel disorders.
Laxative agents help to relieve constipation-related distension with good bowel movements.
Diuretics are important to manage ascites and fluid retention associated with conditions like heart failure or liver cirrhosis.
Treatment of underlying conditions includes functional bowel disorders, inflammatory bowel disease, and bowel obstruction.
Gastroenterology
Food which causes gas should be avoided including beans, cabbage, and carbonated beverages for specific time.
Individual should increase dietary intake with fruits and vegetables to promote regular bowel movements.
Follow proper fluid intake on daily basis to support digestion and prevent constipation.
Heavy meals should be avoided close to bedtime to allow proper digestion and prevent discomfort during sleep.
Proper education and awareness about abdominal distension should be provided and its related causes with management strategies.
Appointments with a gastroenterologist and preventing recurrence of disorder is an ongoing life-long effort.
It targets bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine to reduce gas production.
Gastroenterology
Paracentesis performed for removal of ascitic fluid in severe ascites cases.
Endoscopy is conducted for treating strictures, polyps and tumors.
Surgical procedures including laparotomy and laparoscopy are used as per severity of patient.
Gastroenterology
In the initial diagnosis phase, evaluation of medical history, physical examination, and laboratory test to confirm diagnosis.
Pharmacologic therapy is very effective in the treatment phase as it includes use of diuretics, laxatives, PPIs and surgical intervention if needed. (in chronic cases only)
In supportive care and management phase, patients should receive required attention such as lifestyle modification and rehabilitation.
The regular follow-up visits with the gastroenterologist are schedule to check the improvement of patients along with treatment response.
Abdominal distension is caused due to increased abdominal pressure and visible enlargement. It is common in GI disorder Abdominal bloating is a feeling of heaviness in the stomach usually accompanied with visible abdominal distension.
Bloating and distension both causes discomfort and pain to reduce quality of living.
In distension it shows increased abdominal size from food intolerance, digestive disorder, or gut bacteria overgrowth.
In this condition one should notice swelling of their belly. It may occur in acute and chronic forms.
Many healthcare providers describe a distended abdomen in five ‘f’s as:
flatus (gas)
fetus
feces
fluid
fat
It affects 10% to 15% of the world population with bloating and distension symptoms.
IBS and functional dyspepsia patients experience distension, while constipation patients suffer from bloating.
Epidemiological studies assess prevalence and incidence of abdominal distension in various populations to understand how common this condition is.
Many people experience occasional bloating due to diet or temporary conditions.
Common cause of abdominal distension is gas accumulation in gastrointestinal tract.
Ascites occurs when fluid accumulates in the abdomen from cirrhosis, heart failure, or certain cancers causing bloating.
Intestinal inflammation can cause thickened lining, reduced motility, and abdominal bloating.
People with bowel disorders may feel bloated and sensitive to gas and contractions with minimum swelling.
Causes for abdominal distension as:
Digestive Disorder
Fluid Buildup
Lactose Intolerance
Bacterial Overgrowth
Intestinal gas
Cyst or Tumor
Weak Abdominal Muscles
IBS has good prognosis with symptom management, advanced liver disease with ascites has poorer prognosis.
Distension severity affects prognosis. Acute from temporary diet error resolves fast with dietary changes.
Effectiveness of treatment, symptom management, distension reduction are important prognostic factors.
Abdominal distension affects individuals across various age groups including Children and Adolescents, young adults, and older adults with respect toage-related changes in gastrointestinal motility and increased prevalence of chronic conditions.
Gastrointestinal Examination
Measurement of Abdominal Girth
Assessment of Percussion and Auscultation
Acute abdominal pain with distension, nausea, vomiting, constipation, dehydration, and electrolyte imbalances.
Abdominal pain begins near the umbilicus area, then moves to right lower quadrant. Episodes of bloating in the abdomen can be triggered by stress or food.
Pancreatitis
Diverticulitis
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Ascites
Use of antacids and proton pump inhibitors for gastroesophageal reflux disease to reduce stomach acid.
Use of prokinetics drug to enhance gastrointestinal motility also used in gastroparesis or functional dyspepsia.
Use of antispasmodics to relieve abdominal cramping and discomfort, especially in functional bowel disorders.
Laxative agents help to relieve constipation-related distension with good bowel movements.
Diuretics are important to manage ascites and fluid retention associated with conditions like heart failure or liver cirrhosis.
Treatment of underlying conditions includes functional bowel disorders, inflammatory bowel disease, and bowel obstruction.
Gastroenterology
Food which causes gas should be avoided including beans, cabbage, and carbonated beverages for specific time.
Individual should increase dietary intake with fruits and vegetables to promote regular bowel movements.
Follow proper fluid intake on daily basis to support digestion and prevent constipation.
Heavy meals should be avoided close to bedtime to allow proper digestion and prevent discomfort during sleep.
Proper education and awareness about abdominal distension should be provided and its related causes with management strategies.
Appointments with a gastroenterologist and preventing recurrence of disorder is an ongoing life-long effort.
It targets bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine to reduce gas production.
Gastroenterology
Paracentesis performed for removal of ascitic fluid in severe ascites cases.
Endoscopy is conducted for treating strictures, polyps and tumors.
Surgical procedures including laparotomy and laparoscopy are used as per severity of patient.
Gastroenterology
In the initial diagnosis phase, evaluation of medical history, physical examination, and laboratory test to confirm diagnosis.
Pharmacologic therapy is very effective in the treatment phase as it includes use of diuretics, laxatives, PPIs and surgical intervention if needed. (in chronic cases only)
In supportive care and management phase, patients should receive required attention such as lifestyle modification and rehabilitation.
The regular follow-up visits with the gastroenterologist are schedule to check the improvement of patients along with treatment response.
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