Abdominal distension (patient information)
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Charmaine Patel, M.D. [2]
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Abdominal distension Microchapters |
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Overview
What are the symptoms of (disease name)?
- Passing an excessive amount of gas or burping too frequently.
- Abdominal bloating.
- Cramping abdominal pain.
- Feeling of fullness in the stomach.
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Pre-menstrual or menstrual discomfort.
What causes abdominal distension?
- Air swallowing (a nervous habit)
- Constipation
- Gastroesophageal reflux
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Lactose intolerance and other food intolerances
- Overeating
- Small bowel bacterial overgrowth
- Weight gain
More serious causes of abdominal distension or bloating are:
- Ascites which is fluid that accumulates in the belly.
- Tumors
- Celiac disease, which is a condition caused by an allergy to a component of food called gluten.
- Dumping syndrome, which is a syndrome causing gastrointestinal side effects due to a tumor.
- Ovarian cancer
- When the pancreas is not able to make enzymes needed for digestion (pancreatic insufficiency)
Who is at highest risk?
When to seek urgent medical care
Diagnosis
Treatment options
What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)
Possible complications
Prevention
References
- ↑ Jiang X, Locke GR, Choung RS, Zinsmeister AR, Schleck CD, Talley NJ (2008). "Prevalence and risk factors for abdominal bloating and visible distention: a population-based study". Gut. 57 (6): 756–63. doi:10.1136/gut.2007.142810. PMC 2581929. PMID 18477677.