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abdominal distention Swelling of the abdomen,
sometimes referred to as bloating. Doctors evalu-
ate abdominal distention as a clinical indicator for
a wide range of health conditions. The most com-
mon cause of transitory abdominal distention is
excessive intestinal gas resulting from eating too
fast, which results in swallowing of air along with
the food. The BACTERIAin the COLONthat ferment
high-fiber carbohydrates such as vegetables, fruits,
and legumes (beans) also produce intestinal gas
during digestion. Infants often swallow air when
nursing or bottle feeding, which can cause notice-
able abdominal distention rather rapidly. “Burp-
ing” the infant relieves the distention. Abdominal
distention due to EATING HABITSdissipates as the
meal moves through the gastrointestinal system.
Completely chewing food before swallowing,
especially meats and high-fiber foods, helps slow
eating, prepare food for digestion, and reduce the
amount of air that enters the gastrointestinal sys-
tem.
Menstruating women often experience transi-
tory abdominal distention in the few days before
and during MENSTRUATION, a result of fluid reten-
tion related to hormonal changes taking place in
the body. Abdominal distention is a normal fea-
ture of PREGNANCY. In early pregnancy the disten-
tion and corresponding discomforts may mimic
gastrointestinal causes, though as the pregnancy
continues the characteristic abdominal enlarge-
ment becomes apparent. Extreme OBESITY may
mask this presentation, however, resulting in the
appearance of generalized abdominal distention
rather than characteristic pregnancy. Abdominal
distention often is an early sign of ECTOPIC PREG-
NANCY, a life-threatening condition in which the
fertilized egg implants in the fallopian tube instead
of the UTERUS. Doctors commonly test for preg-

nancy in women of childbearing age who seek

treatment for abdominal distention.

Abdominal distention that develops gradually

and persists may signal health conditions that

require medical attention. The most common

cause of prolonged abdominal distention is

OBESITY, in which excessive body fat accumulates

in the central abdomen. The resulting distention

may cause the abdominal wall to protrude or

cause generalized thickening through the midsec-

tion (the “spare tire” presentation of ABDOMINAL

ADIPOSITY). Weight reduction results in the gradual

recession of abdominal adiposity. ASCITESis a form

of abdominal distention that results from fluid

accumulating in the peritoneal cavity. Chronic

LIVERdisease, HEART FAILURE, and chronic KIDNEY

disease are among the health conditions associated

with ascites. Less commonly, abdominal distention

may signal tumors, UTERINE FIBROIDS, OVARIAN CYST,

and other growths affecting the abdominal organs.

Abdominal distention is a symptom in numerous

gastrointestinal conditions including IRRITABLE

BOWEL SYNDROME (IBS), MALABSORPTION disorders,

and intestinal obstruction.

The doctor should evaluate abdominal disten-

tion that persists or in which there is accompany-

ing PAIN, FEVER, or GASTROINTESTINAL BLEEDING.

Palpation (feeling the abdomen), BARIUM SWALLOW

and BARIUM ENEMA, X-ray endoscopic procedures

such as gastroscopy and COLONOSCOPY, ULTRASOUND,

COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY (CT) SCAN, MAGNETIC

RESONANCE IMAGING(MRI), and paracentesis (with-

drawing fluid from the abdominal cavity through

the abdominal using a needle and syringe) are

among the common diagnostic methods the doc-

tor may use to identify the cause of abdominal

distention. Treatment targets the underlying con-

ditions.

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