Why is My Abdomen Swollen?

Abdominal swelling occurs when the abdominal area is larger than normal. This is sometimes known as a distended abdomen or swollen belly. It can be seen, felt or measured, and often uncomfortable or even painful. A distended abdomen can be due to bloating from gas, or it can be due to accumulated fluid, tissue, or digestive contents.

In addition, it reduces the quality of your life and cripples your daily activities. Many factors are responsible for a swollen abdomen. Discussing your symptoms with your doctor is important, as this will help in the early detection and treatment of your condition. This condition can be managed with both medications administered by your doctor and also some natural herbs, supplements, fruits, and vegetables. Adding healthy foods rich in essential nutrients can help you manage a swollen abdomen.

A swollen abdomen may not necessarily mean you have cancer. It could just be a result of some mild factors like flatulence, bloating, or even indigestion, all of which can be treated at home. Eating foods rich in fiber and essential vitamins can help improve these conditions. However, when symptoms become severe and persist for days without getting better, it is best to stop the home remedy and visit the hospital for professional medical attention.

Causes of Abdominal Swelling

Generally, there are 5 substances that can cause abdominal swelling, they include:

Flatus(gas); results from the consumption of certain foods and drinks, especially carbonated drinks. When the stomach is loaded with gas, it becomes swollen and uncomfortable. Eating a fiber-rich diet can help improve move your bowels and get rid of the gas.

Fluid; excess fluid, including water, is also responsible for the swollen abdomen.

Fat; research has shown that 50% of swollen abdomen cases, especially in women, are caused by excess fat. Fat gets stored in several parts of the body, including the abdomen, and this can be dangerous, especially for women. This is because it makes you overweight and obese( risk factors for type 2 diabetes). On the other hand, it may tamper with your reproductive organs.

Feces; storing feces in your stomach is unhealthy, and it is one of the major causes of a swollen abdomen. Creating a habit of holding feces in the stomach for so long can expose you to the risk of certain gut health conditions that may leave your abdomen swollen, and this could also threaten your life. The stomach is not a septic tank that is meant to hold waste. Whenever you feel the urge to pass out feces, please do. Holding it is not necessary.

Foetus; it is not a new thing that happens n the abdomen. The growth of a foetus in the womb causes the abdomen to swell.

Generally, the causes of abdominal swelling can be classified into;

• Pathological
• Non-pathological

Pathological causes can further be grouped into;

• Gastrointestinal disorders
• Non-gastro intestinal disorders.

Gastrointestinal Disorders

Gastrointestinal disorders are characterized by an obstruction of the small or large intestine, causing a build-up of gas and fecal matter. It involves the partial paralysis of the stomach (gastroparesis), causing a build-up of digestive contents. These kinds of disorders come with severe discomfort and may linger for a while.

Also, they require immediate medical attention as leaving them untreated could be dangerous. While treating gastrointestinal disorders,  dietary changes, as well as lifestyle changes, can be initiated to help speed up the recovery process. Also, taking healthy supplements after meals can improve the symptoms or manage the conditions effectively. The following health conditions are examples of gastrointestinal disorders;

• Celiac disease
• Inflammatory Bowel disease
• Food intolerance like lactose intolerance
• Gas from functional indigestion
• Constipation causes a build-up of feces and back-up of digestive contents.
• Carcinoma of any part of the gastrointestinal tract
• Hepatomegaly; swollen liver
• Gastric outlet obstruction
• Pancreatic insufficiency

All the above-mentioned health conditions are gastrointestinal disorders. They cannot be completely treated at home using home remedies. You can only complement medically administered drugs with natural herbs and supplements to make the treatment process faster. However, it is best to discuss with your doctor the natural remedies you want to complement your medications with to avoid interactions.

Non-gastrointestinal Disorders

These are gut disorders that do not originate from the intestines but cause the abdomen to swell. The following are non-gastrointestinal disorders;

Peritonitis; is a condition characterized by the inflammation of the abdominal lining.

Ascites; this involves the build-up of fluid in the abdomen. This could be a result of other underlying health factors resulting from severe damage to vital organs in the body.

Intra-abdominal hemorrhage; internal bleeding. This is mostly caused by trauma, accidents, or surgeries on the abdomen.

Hernia; is a health condition that is common among men and mostly occurs directly below the abdomen. Although it does not originate from the abdomen, it causes abdominal swelling. It is more severe than most other non-gastrointestinal disorders and may require surgery to take it out.

Benign or malignant organ enlargements; when certain vital organs in the body begin to swell or grow bigger than normal, it may cause abdominal swelling. Some of the organs that may cause an obvious swell of the abdomen are the spleen and liver. Hepatomegaly and splenomegaly are terms used to describe the abnormal swelling of the liver and spleen, respectively.

When the liver and spleen grow bigger than normal, the other parts of the abdomen begin to swell abnormally. Many facets have been uncovered to be responsible for hepatomegaly and splenomegaly. Some of them include alcohol, herbs, medications, and certain underlying health conditions.

Ovarian tumor; tumors on the ovaries may not only cause the abdomen to swell, but they may also reduce the fertility and childbirth chances of affected women drastically.

Uterine fibroids Splenomegaly; is a condition that can be detected only through medical examinations and tests.

Urinary retention; the retention of urine in the bladder is caused by various factors. When urine can no longer be passed out due to some underlying factors, the abdomen begins to swell.

Non-pathological causes include;

• Pregnancy
• Significant weight gain
• Overeating

Common Symptoms Associated With Abdominal Swelling

• Abdominal pain
• Vomiting
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Weight loss
• Fever
• Belching

Diagnosis of Abdominal Swelling

History taking; the medical expert will, in most cases, take a comprehensive history while looking out for clues like the above mentioned associated symptoms

Examination: Majorly Abdominal Examination

Identify the type of swelling, whether it is bloating or a mass. In the case of masses, the doctor will try to identify whether they are rigid or mobile or if they are pulsatile or reducible.

The doctor may also try to identify areas of tenderness

Listen for Bowel Sounds

The doctor, during an examination, also tries to look out for jaundice, pallor, and lymphadenopathy.

These processes help the medical expert determine what the possible cause of your swollen abdomen could be.

Further investigations to pinpoint what the exact cause of your swollen abdomen is being carried out through;

• Full blood count
• Plain abdominal X-ray
• Abdominopelvic ultrasound
• Endoscopy
• Liver function tests
• Kidney function tests

Management of Abdominal Swelling

Identifying the cause of a swollen abdomen is one of the most important steps in managing or treating it. As stated above, a swollen abdomen can be caused by several factors ranging from mild to severe. The treatment of a swollen abdomen depends on the cause.

For mild causes like diarrhea, flatulence, or constipation, try over-the-counter medications and complement these medications with changes to your diet (add fiber-rich foods to your diets). Also, take supplements that are rich in essential vitamins and minerals.

In addition, take healthy yogurts, this is because they contain healthy gut bacteria that can improve gut health. However, for severe cases, you should visit the hospital for professional medical examination, as the severity may be compelled by an underlying health condition. When the underlying health condition is treated first, the swell in the abdomen disappears.

Conclusion

A swollen abdomen is caused by various factors. Identifying what factors are precipitating yours will help you know how to treat or manage it.