Once the acute episode of diverticulitis is over, a high-fiber diet can help keep you regular and avoid future complications. Pelvic inflammatory disease PID occurs when the uterine lining, fallopian tubes, or ovaries become infected, usually from sexually transmitted diseases like chlamydia or gonorrhea. It can also occur during childbirth, abortion , or miscarriage, or with insertion of an intrauterine device. Bloating accompanied by fever, pain, and tenderness in the pelvic area, plus a vaginal discharge, is very suggestive of PID.
A careful pelvic exam and treatment with antibiotics are essential for PID. Untreated, it can lead to infertility and ectopic pregnancies a pregnancy that implants and grows in the fallopian tubes rather than in the uterus and can cause life-threatening tubal rupture.
The lag time between initial symptoms and diagnosis can be years, and bloating is one of the early symptoms. There may be other symptoms present outside of the GI tract, including mouth ulcers , joint pain, skin lesions, and inflammation in the eyes.
X-rays and even colonoscopy may not show the inflammation, which usually occurs at the end of the small intestine the ileum , an area not within easy reach of the endoscope. More sophisticated imaging techniques such as a CAT scan, MRI , or video capsule endoscopy a tiny ingestible micro-camera in a pill may be required. In , she founded the Digestive Center for Women, an integrative practice that incorporates nutritional optimization, exercise physiology, biofeedback, and stress reduction as part of the therapeutic approach to digestive disorders.
Important: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not Everyday Health. By subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Health Topics. Health Tools. Healthy Living. Scientists also believe that the condition might have a genetic factor, as it seems to be heritable. The treatment for AAG involves addressing any nutrient deficiencies.
People with iron deficiency may require intravenous iron infusions, while those with vitamin B12 deficiency may require vitamin B12 injections. This impairment causes blood to build up in the chest. The fluid may then seep down into the abdomen, causing stomach swelling.
Congestive heart failure generally develops as a result of other conditions, such as high blood pressure and coronary artery disease. According to the International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders , these reasons include:.
If a person experiences severe or persistent stomach swelling, their doctor may run one or more of the following tests to identify the cause:. The effective treatment of stomach swelling usually requires the identification and treatment or management of the underlying cause.
However, people may also benefit from some general strategies to help ease the swelling. Some medical treatments that may help reduce stomach swelling include :. A person should see their doctor if they experience severe, persistent, or recurrent stomach swelling, especially if other symptoms accompany the swelling. The outlook for a person with a swollen stomach depends entirely on the cause.
People can talk to a doctor for information on their individual treatment options and outlook. If the stomach regularly swells after a meal, a person should consider eliminating gas-producing foods from their diet. Foods that cause gas include :. There are many potential causes of stomach swelling. A swollen abdomen occurs when your stomach area is larger than normal. This is sometimes known as a distended abdomen or swollen belly.
A swollen abdomen is often uncomfortable or even painful. A swollen abdomen has a number of potential causes and is a common occurrence. Your abdomen could be swollen for different reasons. These range from eating too much to pregnancy.
Only your doctor will be able to determine the exact cause of your swollen abdomen. A common cause of abdominal swelling is gas. Swallowing air as part of a nervous habit or from eating foods that are high in fiber can lead to gas production. Irritable bowel syndrome IBS is a disorder that causes cramping and pain in your stomach, among other symptoms. IBS can also cause bloating and gas, which could cause you to have a distended abdomen.
Lactose intolerance is a condition that occurs when your body is unable to digest lactose, a sugar found in dairy products. Symptoms of lactose intolerance include abdominal bloating and gas. These symptoms can cause your abdomen to swell. If you experience a swollen abdomen within two hours of ingesting dairy, you might be lactose intolerant. Lactose intolerance is most common in people of African, Asian, Hispanic and American Indian descent.
Ascites is a condition that occurs when fluid builds up inside your abdomen. This buildup is usually due to problems with your liver, such as cirrhosis. Cirrhosis occurs when your liver becomes extremely scarred. Ascites can be caused by a number of underlying conditions that can be broadly categorized to include hepatic disorders like cirrhosis, cardiac disorders like congestive or right sided heart failure, malignancy like peritoneal carcinomatosis, and portal vein thrombosis.
Pancreatic disease like pancreatitis, and infectious disorders like tuberculosis can also cause the formation of ascites. Finally ascites can also be associated with hemodialysis in patients with end stage renal disease. Chronic use of medications including narcotic analgesics, sedatives and anticholinergics may also cause constipation with abdominal swelling.
Finally, malignancy, including colon cancer, generalized weakness and prolonged immobility and pregnancy can also result in abdominal distension. In a patient with abdominal swelling the differential diagnosis is broad, so focus on obtaining a history that addresses the most common causes of ascites and chronic constipation.
Ask the patient if there is any history of liver disease and heavy alcohol use. Take a detailed history of the type and quantity of alcohol the patient drinks per week.
Ask the patient about acetaminophen use including dose and duration. Ask about symptoms associated with heart failure including orthopnea and shortness of breath, and malignancy including weight loss and loss of appetite. Ask the patient if there is any history of thyroid disease, diabetes and neuropathy. Do you have a history of liver disease or cirrhosis? Is there a history of liver disease in your family?
Do you get short of breath when lying flat? Do you wake up in the middle of the night gasping for air? Have you ever been diagnosed with tuberculosis, or have you recently travelled to a country endemic for tuberculosis TB?
In a patient who may be constipated withassociated abdominal swelling, assess the nature and duration of theirconstipation. It is important to ask about the following associatedcauses:. Do you take any medications that cause you to be constipated or feel bloated? Are you taking any opiates like morphine? Narcotics, iron supplements, anticholinergics, and some anti-hypertensives like calcium channel blockers are associated with constipation.
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