Abdominal Distension - Causes

Causes

Experts believe that the major cause of abnormal bloating is excessive eating, and sleep swallowing, known as aerophagia. Other causes of bloating are 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 like 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. It is believed that individuals who develop distension either have poor motility of their intestines or are hypersensitive to gut sensations. Experts believe that in most cases, the combination of swallowed air and fluid in the abdomen creates a swirling sensation in the bowels that leads to bloating. Moreover, when the intestines are swollen with air, they push up against the diaphragm and can induce a sensation of pressure in the lower chest. Studies have shown that swallowing air during eating or delayed emptying of the stomach from hyperacidity leads to bloating after a meal. Individuals who are constipated also complain of bloating. In some individuals who are hypersensitive, any volume of air may be perceived as fullness and there may not be actual abdominal distension. In some individuals with abdominal bloating, there may be an increasing abdominal girth either from fluid or air accumulation.

Abdominal distension (or "distended abdomen") can be a sign of many other conditions, including:

• Coeliac disease
• Tropical sprue
• Small bowel bacterial overgrowth syndrome
• Kwashiorkor
• Eosinophilic gastroenteritis
• Giardiasis
• Strongyloidiasis
• Coccidiosis
• Capillaria philippinensis
• Hookworm Disease
• Whipple's disease
• Ascites
• Diverticulitis
• Fasciolosis
• Kidney stones
• Lactose intolerance
• Obstructed bowel
• Polycystic liver disease
• Pregnancy
• Premenstrual syndrome
• Weight gain
• Ovarian cancer