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Abdomen - swollen

• Overview
• Treatment

Alternative Names:

Swollen belly; Swelling in the abdomen; Abdominal distention; Distended abdomen

Home Care:

Distention resulting from a heavy meal will go away when the food is digested. Eating in moderation will help prevent swelling.

For distention caused by swallowing air, awareness often leads to self-control. Eat slowly, avoid carbonated beverages, avoid chewing gum or sucking on candies, avoid drinking through a straw, or sipping the surface of a hot beverage.

For distention caused by malabsorption , try changing diets and reducing milk consumption. Consult your doctor.

For irritable bowel syndrome, increase dietary fiber , decrease emotional stress , and consult your doctor.

For distention resulting from other causes, follow prescribed therapy to treat the underlying cause.

Call your health care provider if:

Reasons to call your health care provider include:

• The abdominal swelling is getting worse and does not go away
• The swelling is accompanied by other unexplained symptoms
• Your abdomen is tender to the touch

What to expect at your health care provider's office:

Your health care provider will obtain a medical history and perform a detailed examination.

Medical history questions documenting swollen abdomen in detail may include the following:

• Time pattern
  • Did it begin recently?
  • Does it occur after meals or after specific foods?
• What other symptoms are occurring at the same time? Especially, have you noticed:
  • Weight gain
  • Irritability
  • Absent menstrual period
  • Vomiting
  • Excessive fatigue
  • Excessive gas (flatus) or belching
  • Diarrhea

Diagnostic tests that may be performed include the following:

• Abdominal CT scan
• Abdominal ultrasound
• Blood tests
• Endoscopy
  • Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD)
  • Colonoscopy
  • Sigmoidoscopy
• Laparoscopy
• Paracentesis
• Stool analysis
• X-rays of the abdomen

• Review Date: 10/26/2006
• Reviewed By: Benjamin W. Van Voorhees, MD, MPH, Assistant Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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