What does abnormal distension mean?
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.
What does gastric distension mean?
Gastric distension is the enlargement of the stomach, and can be due to a number of causes. Physiologic (normal) gastric distension occurs when eating. Distension of the upper stomach stimulates the secretion of stomach acid, while distension of the lower stomach stimulates gastrin secretion.
Is abdominal distension serious?
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)
What does distension mean in medical terms?
Distension (spelled distention in many style regimens) generally refers to an enlargement, dilation, or ballooning effect. It may refer to: Abdominal distension, typically a symptom of an underlying disease or dysfunction in the body, rather than an illness in its own right.
How is gastric distension treated?
Given the broad range of possible causes associated with bloating and distension, identifying the most effective treatment for each individual with symptoms can be a complex process. Therapeutic options include dietary changes, probiotics, antibiotics, prokinetic agents, antispasmodics, neuromodulators and biofeedback.
Is bloating and distension the same?
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.
What does abdominal distension feel like?
A bloated stomach is first and foremost a feeling of tightness, pressure or fullness in your belly. It may or may not be accompanied by a visibly distended (swollen) abdomen. The feeling can range from mildly uncomfortable to intensely painful.
What causes severe bloating and distension?
Possible reasons for bloating and distension include: Too much gas in the intestine. Abnormal levels of bacteria in the small intestine (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth – SIBO) Imbalance of microorganisms that usually live in the bowel (dysbacteriosis); sometimes the result of taking antibiotics. Food intolerance.
Is distension the same as bloating?
Can gas bloat your stomach?
The most common cause of stomach pain and bloating is excess intestinal gas. If you get a bloated stomach after eating, it may be a digestive issue. It might be as simple as eating too much too fast, or you could have a food intolerance or other condition that causes gas and digestive contents to build up.