What is Abdominal Swelling?
Abdominal swelling, also known as abdominal distension is a larger-than-normal stomach area. It is sometimes known as a distended abdomen or bloated belly. A swollen belly is always unpleasant or sometimes painful. A distended stomach refers to distention or swelling of the abdomen rather than the stomach itself. Many diseases and conditions can cause abdominal bloating when this is the case.
Eating too much or consuming foods that cause gas can cause temporary bloating in the stomach. However, if the abdominal swelling and pain is frequent, it may indicate a dietary problem or be a sign of a more serious underlying condition.
Digestion disorders, such as malabsorption or lactose intolerance, or bowel function disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or constipation, may be linked to these conditions. Bloating is another word often used to refer to a bloated belly.
What Conditions Cause Abdominal Swelling?
Here are the major conditions that cause the abdominal swelling or bloating;
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
IBS is a chronic gastrointestinal condition that causes symptoms such as:
- Swelling
- Stomach pain or discomfort
- Constipation or diarrhea
Lactose Intolerance
Lactose intolerance is a digestive disorder in which a person cannot digest the sugar lactose which is present in milk.
A person with lactose intolerance will develop uncomfortable or painful signs within hours of consuming milk or dairy products. The symptoms include:
- Stomach bloating
- Stomach cramps and aches
- Stomach roar
- Gas
- Flatulence
- Nausea
Cirrhosis
Cirrhosis is a condition in which working liver cells are replaced with non-functioning scar tissue. Scarring of the liver can lead to increased blood pressure in the blood vessels surrounding the liver. This can cause fluid to build up in the abdomen.
Autoimmune Diseases
The immune system erroneously attacks and kills healthy cells in the body in people with autoimmune diseases.
Autoimmune atrophic gastritis (GAA) is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system destroys the stomach’s parietal cells. These cells produce stomach acid, which the body needs to absorb vitamin B12.
The gradual loss of parietal cells in AGA can lead to iron and vitamin B12 deficiencies. The cause of AGA is unclear, but people may be at higher risk if they have:
- Autoimmune thyroiditis
- Type 1 diabetes
- Addison’s disease
- Vitiligo
Scientists also believe genetic factors could cause the condition, as it appears to run in families.
Congestive Heart Failure
Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a disease that reduces the heart’s ability to pump blood throughout the body. This alteration causes blood to pool in the chest. Then, the fluid can leak into the abdomen and cause stomach bloating.
Congestive heart failure usually develops because of other conditions, such as high blood pressure and coronary artery disease.
What are Common Causes of Abdominal Swelling?
Abdominal swelling can occur due to various reasons, ranging from dietary habits to underlying medical conditions. Some common abdominal swelling causes include:
- High salt intake
- Hypersensitivity to the digestive process
- Imbalance of the gut microbiota
- Small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)
- Gallstones
- A blockage in the gut
- Greater curvature in the lower spine, reducing the space for gas in the abdomen
- Edema caused by certain types of cancer or cancer treatments (abdominal swelling cancer symptoms)
In some cases, a swollen lower abdomen in females may be linked to hormonal fluctuations, ovarian cysts, or reproductive health conditions. If swelling is persistent or accompanied by other symptoms, seeking medical evaluation is important.
How Is Abdominal Swelling Diagnosed?
If a person experiences severe or persistent stomach bloating, their doctor may perform one or more of the following tests to identify the cause:
- Fecal analysis
- Blood tests
- Abdominal x-rays
- Barium swallow test, which uses x-rays to take pictures of the esophagus (feeding tube) while a person eats food
- Barium enema, which pictures the lower intestinal tract using X-rays
- A gastric emptying scan, which is a test to determine how fast food leaves the stomach
- Upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy, which involves the use of a flexible endoscope to image the upper GI tract
Abdominal Swelling Treatment
- If rest and reducing the amount of sodium in your diet do not work to relieve symptoms, your doctor may suggest that you use diuretics.
- Diuretics will help your kidneys remove more fluid that causes swelling. In rare cases, an infection in the ascites fluid can develop. If this happens, you will need to undergo rigorous treatment with antibiotics.
- Stomach swelling treatment not much available to relieve due to IBS and lactose intolerance.
- Ascites are usually a side effect of another serious problem in the body, such as cirrhosis.
- In addition to treating the offending condition, you may need to have the fluid removed. The fluid removal procedure, or paracentesis, varies in duration depending on the amount of fluid that needs to be removed.
How to Get Rid of a Swollen Upper Abdomen?
For stomach swelling treatment caused by IBS or lactose intolerance, treatment options are limited. However, managing diet, avoiding gas-forming foods, and taking prescribed medicines can help.
If you are looking for how to reduce abdominal swelling, making small changes like drinking enough water, eating less salty food, and doing light exercise can give some relief.
When to visit a Doctor?
You probably don’t need to see a doctor if you have occasional bloating or gas. However, it can be very serious and even life-threatening, with certain conditions that cause bloating, gas, and abdominal pain.
That is why it is so important to consult with your doctor if:
- Over-the-counter remedies or changes in eating habits don’t help.
- Has unexplained weight loss
- You have no appetite
- Have chronic or frequent constipation, diarrhea, or vomiting
- Have persistent bloating, gas, or heartburn
- Your stools contain blood or mucus
- There have been major changes in your bowel movements
- Your symptoms make it difficult for you to function
Seek immediate medical attention if:
- Abdominal pain is severe
- The diarrhea is severe
- You have chest pain
- You have a high fever
Your doctor will probably start with a complete medical history and physical exam. Be sure to mention your symptoms and how long you’ve had them.
Home Remedies for Abdominal Swelling
- Take a walk. Physical activity can cause the intestines to move more regularly, which can help release excess gas and stool.
- Preparing a cup of hot water with a few sprigs of mint leaves and a pinch of honey and drinking it right away can help improve the bloated feeling you are experiencing.
- Ginger is present in most foods. It has incredible gas-expelling properties and can quickly cure indigestion.
- Although it may seem counterintuitive, drinking a glass of warm water with a splash of lemon juice is one of the best home remedies for stomach swelling, as it helps with digestion and bloating.
- Apple cider vinegar has become more popular as a health supplement. It can be mixed early in the morning with a glass of warm water and eaten once a day.
- Yogurt has always been considered a refreshing food for hyperacidity. Contains natural probiotics that replace bad bacteria in the gut and improve digestion.
