Definition
Abdominal distension is a symptom caused by the accumulation of liquids or gases in the lumen of the intestine or in the peritoneal cavity. This phenomenon is determined by the increase in pressure that is created inside the abdomen (region between the chest and the pelvis), which pushes the abdominal wall outwards. The consequence is an increase in abdominal circumference.
Abdominal distention can be a simple swelling associated with functional disorders (such as meteorism, irritable bowel and premenstrual syndrome), but can also occur in the presence of intestinal obstruction, ascitic effusion or tumor masses.
Congestive heart failure and liver cirrhosis are among the conditions that can cause this event.
Pregnancy involves physiological abdominal distension.
Possible Causes * of abdominal distention
- Colon cancer
- Celiac disease
- Liver Cirrhosis
- Alitiasic cholecystitis
- Spastic colitis
- Ulcerative colitis
- Diverticulitis
- Pregnancy
- Intestinal Infarction
- Heart failure
- Food intolerance
- Toxic megacolon
- Cooley's disease
- Neuroblastoma
- Obesity
- Bowel obstruction
- Pellagra
- Heart failure
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Mallory-Weiss syndrome
- Premenstrual syndrome
- Tropical sprue
- Colorectal cancer
