What is the reason for abdominal distension

Generally speaking, people will have a moderate feeling of fullness in the abdomen after a meal, which is normal. However, if you feel bloated before eating and have no appetite, you should pay close attention to it. Abdominal distension is a common digestive system symptom in daily life, often accompanied by vomiting, belching, diarrhea, etc. There are many causes of abdominal bloating, such as gastrointestinal bloating, ascites, and abdominal tumors.

1. What is abdominal distension?

Bloating is a common digestive symptom, not a disease. It can be a subjective feeling of fullness in part or all of the abdomen, usually accompanied by related symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, belching, etc.; it can also be an objective examination finding, such as the discovery of bulging in part or all of the abdomen. The main causes of abdominal distension are gastrointestinal bloating, ascites caused by various reasons, abdominal tumors, etc.

2. Causes

1. Gastrointestinal bloating caused by lesions of the digestive tract organs (including gastrointestinal tract, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, etc.).

2. Excessive accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity.

3. Intra-abdominal mass or expansion of organ capsule.

4. Excessive gas is produced during the metabolism of food or drugs.

5. Stress (including psychological, infection, etc.).

6. Pleural and abdominal effusion caused by other systemic diseases (heart, kidney, endocrine, nervous, blood, etc.).

3. Clinical manifestations

Bloating can vary in severity, from very mild to severe and uncomfortable. Changes in circadian rhythm are a common feature of bloating. In most patients, bloating develops progressively during daily activities and tends to decrease or disappear after resting at night. Diseases associated with abdominal bloating include constipation, diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, indigestion, eating disorders and obesity, flatulence, organic diseases (including certain malignant tumors), etc.

4. Diagnosis

1. Medical history

Whether the patient has a history of abdominal surgery, ulcers, etc. If you have diabetes, you should pay attention to gastroparesis. If you have fever, night sweats, cough and abdominal distension, you should pay attention to intestinal tuberculosis.

2. Physical examination

Generally, flatulence causes a bloated abdomen.

3. Auxiliary examination

The corresponding diagnosis can be made based on laboratory tests, imaging examinations, etc.

5. Treatment

1. Treatment of primary disease

Treatment is mainly aimed at the primary disease.

2. General treatment

Reduce gas-producing foods and limit the intake of gas-producing foods, such as onions, celery, etc. Keep bowel movements regular.

3. Medication

(1) Prokinetic agents can be used to treat patients with decreased gastrointestinal motility.

(2) Enzyme preparations can promote the decomposition of food residues that are not fully digested by endogenous enzymes.

(3) Probiotics and prebiotics can improve the intestinal microecological environment, reduce gas production, and alleviate abdominal bloating symptoms.

4. Others

For those with severe abdominal distension, use rectal tube to vent gas, gastrointestinal decompression, appropriate oxygen inhalation, etc. You can also apply hot compress to the abdomen and turpentine to the navel.