What does abdominal distention indicate?

Abdominal distension occurs when substances, such as air (gas) or fluid, accumulate in the abdomen causing its expansion. It is typically a symptom of an underlying disease or dysfunction in the body, rather than an illness in its own right. People suffering from this condition often describe it as “feeling bloated”.

What is the medical term for abdominal distension?

A distended abdomen is abnormally swollen outward. You can see and measure the difference, and sometimes you can feel it. A distended abdomen can be due to bloating from gas, or it can be due to accumulated fluid, tissue, or digestive contents.

Is abdominal distention and bloating the same?

But did you know that they are actually different? Bloating refers to the sensation of abdominal (tummy) swelling, sometimes described as the feeling of an inflated balloon in the belly. By contrast, abdominal distention refers to an actual increase in measured abdominal size.

What are the six F’s of abdominal distension?

I still remember the medical school mnemonic-food, fat, flab, fluid, flatus, feces, fetus, factitious, fatal, and fruitcake.

What is differential diagnosis of abdominal distension?

What is the differential diagnosis for this problem? Broadly speaking, abdominal swelling can be due to ascites, organomegaly or constipation with retained air. These conditions can cause generalized abdominal distension or swelling.

What does distension mean in medical terms?

swelling
the act of swelling and becoming large by pressure from inside, or the result of this: Gaseous distension of the bowel causes considerable discomfort to the patient.

What is the difference between distention and distension?

Distension (spelled distention in many style regimens) generally refers to an enlargement, dilation, or ballooning effect. It may refer to: Abdominal distension, typically a symptom of an underlying disease or dysfunction in the body, rather than an illness in its own right.

What are the differential diagnosis of abdominal distension?

What causes long term abdominal distension?

Abdominal bloating and distension can develop for multiple reasons, including food intolerances, a previous infection that perturbed the intestinal microbiota, disordered visceral sensation, delayed intestinal transit, or an abnormal viscero-somatic reflux.

How do you measure abdominal distension?

First, the general contour of the entire abdominal wall is observed. The contour should be checked carefully for distention and note made as to whether any distention is generalized or localized to a portion of the abdomen. Similarly, the flanks should be checked for any bulging.

How do you write a distension?

Distension (spelled distention in many style regimens) generally refers to an enlargement, dilation, or ballooning effect.

What is distention medical term?

: enlarged, expanded, or stretched out (as from internal pressure) The abdomen was mildly distended with moderate tenderness …—