What causes a distended stomach in the elderly?

With age, the amount of acid present in the abdomen responsible for digesting food decreases. It is noticed that in the elderly the pepsin output is reduced by approximately 40 per cent. A decrease in pepsin makes it difficult for your body to break down protein, which makes people bloated and gassy.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on m.timesofindia.com

What does distended stomach indicate?

A distended abdomen is abnormally swollen outward. You can see and measure the difference, and sometimes you can feel it. A distended abdomen can be due to bloating from gas, or it can be due to accumulated fluid, tissue, or digestive contents. It can be chronic or acute.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on my.clevelandclinic.org

What conditions may have abdominal distension as a symptom?

Causes
  • Air swallowing (a nervous habit)
  • Buildup of fluid in the abdomen (this can be a sign of a serious medical problem)
  • Gas in the intestines from eating foods that are high in fiber (such as fruits and vegetables)
  • Irritable bowel syndrome.
  • Lactose intolerance.
  • Ovarian cyst or cancer.
  • Partial bowel blockage.
  • Pregnancy.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on mountsinai.org

How do you fix a distended stomach?

Beat The Bloat
  1. Eat slowly, and consume smaller, more frequent meals.
  2. Chew your foods well.
  3. Drink beverages at room temperature.
  4. Have your dentures checked for a good fit.
  5. Increase physical activity during the day.
  6. Sit up straight after eating.
  7. Take a stroll after eating.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on brighamandwomens.org

What cancers cause distended abdomen?

Cancers that can cause ascites include:
  • ovarian cancer.
  • breast cancer.
  • bowel cancer.
  • stomach cancer.
  • pancreatic cancer.
  • mesothelioma in the peritoneum.
  • lung cancer.
  • liver cancer.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on cancerresearchuk.org

Abdominal Distention: Everything You Need To Know

29 related questions found

What medical conditions cause abdominal bloating?

Abdominal bloating
  • Swallowing air.
  • Constipation.
  • Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
  • Irritable bowel syndrome.
  • Lactose intolerance and problems digesting other foods.
  • Overeating.
  • Small bowel bacterial overgrowth.
  • Weight gain.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on medlineplus.gov

What causes a big hard stomach?

What can cause a hard stomach? A hard stomach can happen for various reasons, including constipation, gastric cancer, and some chronic digestive conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on medicalnewstoday.com

Can heart problems cause stomach bloating?

Some non-GI disease, such as congestive heart failure and cirrhosis of the liver, can also cause bloating by causing fluid accumulation in the abdomen.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on med.unc.edu

Does distended stomach go away?

It usually goes away after a while, but for some people, it's a recurring problem. Digestive issues and hormone fluctuations can cause cyclical bloating. If your bloated stomach doesn't go away, you should seek medical care to determine the cause.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on my.clevelandclinic.org

What is the difference between distension and bloating?

But did you know that they are actually different? Bloating refers to the sensation of abdominal (tummy) swelling, sometimes described as the feeling of an inflated balloon in the belly. By contrast, abdominal distention refers to an actual increase in measured abdominal size.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on monashfodmap.com

What are the 5 causes of abdominal distension?

The main causes of generalised abdominal distension are easily remembered by the five Fs:
  • Fat (obesity)
  • Faeces (constipation)
  • Fetus (pregnancy)
  • Flatus (gastrointestinal)
  • Fluid (ascites)

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on patient.info

What deficiency causes abdominal distension?

Kwashiorkor is a type of malnutrition characterized by severe protein deficiency. It causes fluid retention and a swollen, distended abdomen.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on my.clevelandclinic.org

Which medicine is best for abdominal distension?

Best medication for bloating: Types and more
  • Simethicone.
  • Lactase.
  • Antacids.
  • Laxatives.
  • Bismuth salicylate.
  • Prokinetics.
  • Antispasmodics.
  • Alternative treatments.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on medicalnewstoday.com

Can liver problems cause a distended stomach?

Abdominal Swelling

A swollen abdomen can point to a condition called ascites, in which liver malfunction leads to an imbalance of proteins and other compounds, and fluid builds up in the tissues. The main symptom, potbelly, often signals cirrhosis.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on hawaiipacifichealth.org

What are the 6 F's of abdominal distension?

I still remember the medical school mnemonic-food, fat, flab, fluid, flatus, feces, fetus, factitious, fatal, and fruitcake. The ten “Fs” were the causes of abdominal distention.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

What is a progressive distension of the abdomen?

Progressive gastric distension is a rare condition, which may lead to gastric wall ischaemia and perforation. It is often diagnosed late in the course of the illness after complications are already present.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on racgp.org.au

Why does your stomach swell when you have congestive heart failure?

When the right side loses pumping power, blood backs up in the body's veins. This usually causes swelling or congestion in the legs and ankles as well as swelling within the abdomen, such as the GI tract and liver (causing ascites).

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on uoflhealth.org

How do you know if bloating is serious?

If your bloating is accompanied by abdominal pain, cramps, dizziness, nausea or vomiting, then it might be a serious problem. Regularly occurring bloating that doesn't improve with lifestyle changes, such as eating smaller meals or avoiding certain foods, may also point to a more serious issue.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on nowpatient.com

What are the abdominal signs of heart failure?

Symptoms of heart failure include shortness of breath, swelling in the legs and feet, and abdominal pain or nausea. Diagnosis includes tests for the existence of heart failure, followed by tests to evaluate the cause of the heart failure. Treatment for heart failure begins with lifestyle changes and medications.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on hopkinsmedicine.org

What are gastric symptoms of heart failure?

Unfortunately, if your heart isn't able to send enough blood to your stomach, it can cause severe issues – from sharp abdominal pain to diarrhea, nausea or vomiting after a meal.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on dixonbytutera.com

What are the symptoms of end stage heart failure?

These are the common symptoms of end-stage heart failure:
  • pain.
  • breathlessness on minimal exertion or at rest.
  • persistent cough.
  • fatigue (extreme tiredness)
  • limited physical activity.
  • depression and anxiety.
  • constipation.
  • loss of appetite and nausea (feeling sick)

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on mariecurie.org.uk

Is hard stomach serious?

In most cases, a tight stomach doesn't require a visit to the doctor. However, you should seek immediate medical attention if the tightness is accompanied with severe nausea, weight loss or difficulty breathing.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on carewellurgentcare.com

Why do I have a big stomach but I'm not fat?

If your stomach sticks out even if you are skinny, you may need to change certain habits to try to get rid of it. In order to do so, first you need to figure out what causes your protruded belly. It may be the regular consumption of alcohol, stress, hormones, bad posture, recent pregnancy, bloating, or others.

Takedown request   |   View complete answer on betterme.world