What medical conditions cause distended stomach?

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.

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What are 2 major causes of abdominal distention?

Causes might include:
  • Gas from functional indigestion, food intolerances or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
  • Constipation causing a build-up of feces and back-up of digestive contents.
  • Urinary retention causing a build-up of urine.

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What diseases have abdominal distention?

The list of organic disorders that can cause bloating and distension also includes celiac disease, pancreatic insufficiency, prior gastroesophageal surgery (such as fundoplication or bariatric procedures), gastric outlet obstruction, gastroparesis, ascites, gastrointestinal or gynecologic malignancy, hypothyroidism, ...

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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)

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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.

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Abdominal Distention: Everything You Need To Know

16 related questions found

Why do I feel bloated all the time and my stomach enlarged?

The most common reason for bloating is having a lot of gas in your gut. This can be caused by some food and drinks, such as some vegetables and fizzy drinks, or by swallowing air when you eat. It can also be caused by a problem with your digestion, such as: constipation.

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Why is my stomach getting bigger and hard?

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).

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Does your stomach swell with liver problems?

Ascites can also develop when the liver isn't making enough blood protein (albumin). A swollen abdomen might cause discomfort or pain, and a loss of appetite or feeling full quickly. A swollen (enlarged) liver can cause pain in your right shoulder.

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Why is my stomach always distended?

Abdominal swelling, or distention, is more often caused by overeating than by a serious illness. This problem also can be caused by: Air swallowing (a nervous habit) Buildup of fluid in the abdomen (this can be a sign of a serious medical problem)

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What are the 6 F's 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. The “fatal” referred to tumors and the “fruitcake” to patients with psychiatric problems.

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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.

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What causes a protruding stomach on a woman?

A person's body composition changes as they age, which can lead to a belly bulge. For females, the decrease in the hormone estrogen during menopause triggers an accumulation of body fat. Fat tissues produce estrogen, so more is produced after menopause to create a balance.

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What is the difference between abdominal distention and bloating?

Abdominal bloating is characterized by symptoms of trapped gas, abdominal pressure, and fullness. Abdominal distension is defined as a measurable increase in abdominal girth. These symptoms frequently co-exist, although they can occur separately.

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How do you cure 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.

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Can distended abdomen lead to heart failure?

Swelling or pain in the upper abdomen (stomach area) can occur due to fluid build-up (congestion) in the body, which is a sign of worsening heart failure. The discomfort is due to fluid retention and congestion in the liver and gut.

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What are the complications of abdominal distension?

Complications of gastric distension include massive dehydration with hypochloraemic metabolic alkalosis and prerenal failure, and perforation with resultant sepsis, multi-organ failure and death.

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Can you reverse a distended stomach?

Exercise, supplements, massage, dietary changes, and other strategies can all help reduce bloating quickly. Abdominal bloating is when the abdomen feels full and tight.

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Why does pancreatitis cause abdominal distension?

There are often other symptoms associated with acute pancreatitis. Abdominal distension is common (as fluid leaks into the space behind the abdominal organs, causing them to protrude forward). Mild fever is usual. Patients tend to 'under-breathe', which can cause respiratory problems.

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Why is my abdomen fatter than my stomach?

Why is my upper stomach bigger than my lower stomach? Upper belly fat is usually the result of the accumulation of visceral fat around your abdomen area. Stress, unhealthy lifestyle, and lack of sleep make your upper stomach bigger than your lower stomach.

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What are the 4 warning signs of a damaged liver?

10 early signs and symptoms of liver disease
  • A general unwell feeling. ...
  • Jaundice or yellowing of the skin and eyes.
  • Frequent gassy sensation. ...
  • Confusion. ...
  • Fluid retention: A weak liver can result in swelling due to fluid retention, especially of the feet and ankles.

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Is my belly swollen due to fatty liver?

Some non-laboratory signs may give your doctor reason to suspect fatty liver disease: - Abdominal bloating after eating Carbohydrates (sweets/starchy foods) can indicate an increased accumulation of fat within the liver cells.

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What are the first signs of a bad liver?

If signs and symptoms of liver disease do occur, they may include:
  • Skin and eyes that appear yellowish (jaundice)
  • Abdominal pain and swelling.
  • Swelling in the legs and ankles.
  • Itchy skin.
  • Dark urine color.
  • Pale stool color.
  • Chronic fatigue.
  • Nausea or vomiting.

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