Health Library

Abdomen - swollen

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

A swollen abdomen is when your belly area is bigger than usual.

I Would Like to Learn About:

Causes

Abdominal swelling, or distention, is more often caused by overeating than by a serious illness. This problem also can be caused by:

• Air swallowing (a nervous habit)
• Buildup of fluid in the abdomen (this can be a sign of a serious medical problem)
• Gas in the intestines from eating foods that are high in fiber (such as fruits and vegetables)
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Lactose intolerance
• Ovarian cyst or cancer
• Partial bowel blockage
• Pregnancy
• Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
• Uterine fibroids
• Weight gain

Home Care

A swollen abdomen that is caused by eating a heavy meal will go away when you digest the food. Eating smaller amounts will help prevent swelling.

For a swollen abdomen caused by swallowing air:

• Avoid carbonated beverages.
• Avoid chewing gum or sucking on candies.
• Avoid drinking through a straw or sipping the surface of a hot beverage.
• Eat slowly.

For a swollen abdomen caused by malabsorption, try changing your diet and limiting milk. Talk to your health care provider.

For irritable bowel syndrome:

• Decrease emotional stress.
• Increase dietary fiber.
• Talk to your provider.

For a swollen abdomen due to other causes, follow the treatment prescribed by your provider.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Contact your provider if:

• The abdominal swelling is getting worse and does not go away.
• The swelling occurs with other unexplained symptoms.
• Your abdomen is tender to the touch.
• You have a high fever.
• You have severe diarrhea or bloody stools.
• You are unable to eat or drink for more than 6 to 8 hours.

What to Expect at Your Office Visit

Your provider will perform a physical exam and ask questions about your medical history, such as when the problem began and when it occurs.

The provider will also ask about other symptoms you may be having, such as:

• Absent menstrual period
• Diarrhea
• Excessive fatigue
• Excessive gas or belching
• Irritability
• Vomiting
• Weight gain or loss

Tests that may be done include:

• Abdominal and pelvic CT scan
• Abdominal and pelvic ultrasound
• Blood tests
• Colonoscopy
• Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD)
• Paracentesis
• Sigmoidoscopy
• Stool analysis
• Urine tests
• X-rays of the chest or abdomen

Related Information

References

Ball JW, Dains JE, Flynn JA, Solomon BS, Stewart RW. Abdomen. In: Ball JW, Dains JE, Flynn JA, Solomon BS, Stewart RW, eds. Seidel's Guide to Physical Examination. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 18.

Landmann A, Bonds M, Postier R. Acute abdomen. In: Townsend CM Jr, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 21st ed. St Louis, MO: Elsevier; 2022:chap 46.

McQuaid KR. Approach to the patient with gastrointestinal disease. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 123.

Review Date: 10/20/2022  

Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Clinical Professor, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, for Health Content Provider (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. 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 policy, editorial process and privacy policy. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics. This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- 2024 A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.