Abdominal distension can be noticeable by a distended abdomen, it’s a very common issue and one that many people have to face at some point in their lives. It can be alarming when your stomach quickly appears bigger and often comes together with some symptoms such as discomfort or even pain. Understanding what the causes of underlying issues are, and options for the right type of treatment can help you manage this condition a lot better. In this blog, we will talk about the ups and downs of abdominal distension, how to be able to tell the difference from bloating and talk about the various types of remedies and treatment options that are currently open to address this issue.
What is Abdominal Distension?
Abdominal distension tends to happen when the stomach starts to feel full and tiger, making swelling visible. This condition can be uncomfortable, and at some times even painful. But what exactly causes a distended abdomen? There are many reasons and all can widely vary, from dietary factors to gastrointestinal disorders.
Distension meaning can be quite different, this is baked in the context that in medical terms, it refers to the abnormal size or “ballooning” of the abdominal area. This type of enlargement can result from gas, fluids, or even foods that the body has found difficult to digest. When the abdomen is distended, the stomach will look noticeably larger, with a feeling of tightness or general discomfort and cramps in your midsection. This discomfort often makes people seek out bloated stomach remedies, hoping for a quick fix.
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Causes of Abdominal Distension
There are several factors that can contribute to abdominal distension, from dietary habits to medical conditions. Here are some of the most typical causes:
- Overeating: Just consuming large meals, like those high in fat or fiber, can cause the stomach to swell for a while as the body works to digest the food. This is what often causes both loathing and distension to appear.
- Gas and Bloating: Gas can build up in the stomach but if not it can also build up in the intestines, this is a common cause of bloating and distension. this is because of swallowing air while eating, drinking highly carbonated beverages, or eating any foods that can cause gas as their being digested.
- Constipation: When feces builds up in the intestines, it causes the abdomen to be distended. Although constipation is commonly paired with a bloated stomach, this combination can be very uncomfortable, leading to many people searching for bloated stomach remedies.
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): IBS is a chronic condition that can affect the large intestine and leads to other symptoms such as cramps, abdominal pain, boating, and any changes in the patient’s bowel habits. A lot of people with IBS have frequent abdominal distension.
- Ascites: With this condition the accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity is more noticeable. This is often due to liver disease or some other sort of serious health issue.
- Food Intolerance: Some types of foods, such as dairy or gluten, can contribute to bloating and abdominal distension in people who are intolerant to them. This happens because the body isn’t able to properly digest the substances, thus leading to discomfort during a bloating period.
- Medical Conditions: Some conditions such as celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and certain types of cancers can all lead to constant abdominal distension. If the abdominal distension is constant or comes along with other symptoms, these may be concerning so it’s important to seek out medical advice from a healthcare professional.
Treatment Options for Abdominal Distension
Dealing with abdominal distension can be quite stressful, but there are various ways and treatment options available. Depending on the issue that is at hand, we will break down both some home remedies and medical treatments that can be used to help alleviate the feeling of discomfort that comes as a symptom of a distended abdomen.
Home Treatments
For cases where there is mild abdominal distension, those that are caused by diet or temporary digestion issues, home treatments can be surprisingly effective:
- Changes in diet: Changing your diet is one of the easiest ways to control abdominal distension. Reducing any type of foods that can cause gas, like beans, broccoli, and carbonated drinks can really help. Also, eating smaller portions, and having meals more frequently instead of eating large ones can also prevent overeating, this reduces the chances of distension. All of these changes can also take care of what causes bloating in the stomach, eliminating the need for bloated stomach remedies in the first place.
- Hydration: Drinking plenty of water can help keep your digestive system functioning perfectly, this prevents any constipation and reduces the chances of bloating and distension. Proper hydration is key to relieving cramps, which are often associated with a bloating period.
- Physical Activity: Exercising regularly, especially with activities such as walking or yoga, can really help get digestion going, and help relieve gasses and constipation. Even just a short walk after eating can help in reducing bloating and abdominal distension.
- Over-the-counter remedies: There are quite a few different over-the-counter medications that can help out with bloating and gas. Some examples are simethicone, it’s a popular anti-gas medication, and some fiber supplements can relieve constipation as well. But the important thing is to use these products as consulted by a healthcare provider if you’re not sure as to what to take.
Medical Treatment
If the remedies don’t seem to be giving any relief, or if you feel your abdominal distension is severe and persistent, it is time to seriously consider getting medical treatment:
- Prescription Medicine: Depending on the underlying causes of your abdominal distension, your doctor may prescribe you some medications, to take care of it. For instance, if IBS were to be causing the symptoms, then medication to control bowel movements, less gut sensitivity, or getting rid of the cramps might be recommended for you.
- Diagnostics and Tests: If it’s your abdominal wall that is swelling up it may be likely that it’s also giving you other symptoms like unexplained weight loss, severe pain, or blood in your stool, your doctor may see it necessary to make some diagnostic tests. The tests could include blood tests, imaging studies such as ultrasounds or CT scans, and also might or might not do some endoscopic procedures to get a closer look at the digestive system and track.
- Surgical Options: In some rare cases, surgery may be needed to fix the cause of the underlying abdominal distention. This could be the case if you have any sort of obstruction, a severe gastrointestinal disease, or any other serious conditions that can cause more persistent bloating and distension.
What is the Difference Between DIstension and Bloating?
Although the terms “distension” and “bloating” are commonly used to refer to this condition, they are not the same. Distension is referred to as the physical swelling or an enlargement of the abdomen, while bloating is more for the feeling of fullness or tightness that often comes together with distension.
When people refer to bloating meaning, it relates to feeling a kind of pressure or gas in the stomach, this may or may not cause some visible welling. It’s more likely than you think, to feel bloated without your abdomen looking distended. However, when the abdomen is distended, bloating is a common symptom.
Bloating can be a symptom of distension, but this might not always be the case, not every time there is bloating, does it result in a swollen abdomen that is clearly visible. Understanding the difference can help in describing any symptoms to a healthcare provider and finding the necessary treatment. Also, knowing what causes bloating in the stomach in the first place, can be critical in controlling and managing both bloating and distension, as it’s essential during a bloating period.
How Long Does It Take for a Distended Stomach to Go Away?
The amount of time it takes for abdominal distension to go away depends on its root cause. If you happen to have a distended stomach, it can be due to something like overeating or gas, it may fix itself within a few hours, to at most a day as your body tries to process the food or any gas passing through your system. When the cause of constipation is related to distension, it may take up to a day or two for the swelling to fully subside and also once you’ve had a bowel movement. Thus many people feeling cramps or discomfort during this time will probably look for bloated stomach remedies to speed up this process.
Contact
If you’re experiencing persistent abdominal distension, it’s important to consult with a healthcare professional to determine the underlying cause and the best treatment plan. At LIMARP, our experienced team is dedicated to helping you achieve optimal digestive health and overall well-being. We can help you navigate through bloating periods, cramps, and find the most effective bloated stomach remedies tailored to your needs.
Resources
For more information on abdominal distension and other related topics, check out these resources:
