Get answers to your GERD and LERD questions by e-mailing Dr. George Fantry.
See Dr. Fantry's Bio | Q&A Archive
A swollen abdomen is when your belly area is bigger than usual.
See: Abdominal girth
Abdominal distention is a common condition, which usually results from over-eating, rather than from a serious illness. Simple weight gain , premenstrual syndrome (PMS) , pregnancy, or the unconscious swallowing of air can also cause distention.
Abdominal distention is often caused by intestinal gas. This may result from eating fibrous foods such as fruits and vegetables. Legumes such as beans are common sources of intestinal gas. People who are lactose intolerant cannot properly digest dairy foods, and eating such foods may cause distention.
Abdominal distention may also occasionally result from the accumulation of fluid in the abdomen, which can be a sign of serious medical problems. There are usually other symptoms in this case.
|
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial process . A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch). |