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Concept
Abdominal distension
Summary
Abdominal distension occurs when substances, such as air (gas) or fluid, accumulate in the abdomen causing its expansion. 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.
One of the causes of abnormal bloating is excessive eating and air swallowing, known as aerophagia. Other causes of bloating and distension include inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn's disease 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.
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. Some individuals who develop distension may have either poor motility of their intestines or may be hypersensitive to gut sensations. Certain medications, such as antidepressants and anti-spasmodics, can contribute to reduced gut motility.
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Related publications (1)
Related concepts (16)
Nausea
Nausea is a diffuse sensation of unease and discomfort, sometimes perceived as an urge to vomit. While not painful, it can be a debilitating symptom if prolonged and has been described as placing discomfort on the chest, abdomen, or back of the throat. Over 30 definitions of nausea were proposed in a 2011 book on the topic. Nausea is a non-specific symptom, which means that it has many possible causes.
Bloating
Abdominal bloating (or simply bloating) is a short-term disease that affects the gastrointestinal tract. Bloating is generally characterized by an excess buildup of gas, air or fluids in the stomach. A person may have feelings of tightness, pressure or fullness in the stomach; it may or may not be accompanied by a visibly distended abdomen. Bloating can affect anyone of any age range and is usually self-diagnosed, in most cases does not require serious medical attention or treatment.
Gastroparesis
Gastroparesis (gastro- from Ancient Greek γαστήρ – gaster, "stomach"; and -paresis, πάρεσις – "partial paralysis"), also called delayed gastric emptying, is a medical disorder consisting of weak muscular contractions (peristalsis) of the stomach, resulting in food and liquid remaining in the stomach for a prolonged period of time. Stomach contents thus exit more slowly into the duodenum of the digestive tract. This can result in irregular absorption of nutrients, inadequate nutrition, and poor glycemic control.
Related lectures (5)
Abdomen Anatomy: Viscera, Peritoneum, Digestive and Urinary SystemsBIO-320: Morphology I
Covers the anatomy of the abdomen, digestive and urinary systems.
Food Biotechnology: Enzymes and Protein SourcesENG-436: Food biotechnology
Covers the use of enzymes in food processing, protein sources, and their environmental impact.
Abdominal Muscles Contraction and RespirationBIO-320: Morphology I
Discusses the role of abdominal muscles in respiration and intra-abdominal pressure.