KONTAN.CO.ID – JAKARTA. A distended stomach occurs when the abdominal area appears larger than normal. There are several factors that cause a distended stomach, from eating too much to pregnancy.
In addition, a common cause of a distended stomach is gas buildup. Ingesting fumes from consumption of high-fiber foods can cause gas production.
Although common, a distended stomach can cause discomfort. Reporting from Healthline, July 31 2019, there are several health conditions that cause a distended stomach, including:
1. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
IBS is a medical problem that causes cramps and abdominal pain. IBS can cause bloating and make your stomach bloated. According to the International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Diseases, about 1 in 10 people experience symptoms of IBS.
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2. Lactose intolerance
Lactose intolerance is a condition that occurs when the body cannot digest lactose, which is the sugar found in dairy products. One of the symptoms of lactose intolerance is flatulence, gas buildup, and a distended stomach. If your stomach appears distended within two hours of consuming dairy, this could be a sign of lactose intolerance.
3. Ascites
Ascites is a health problem that occurs due to fluid buildup in the stomach caused by liver problems such as cirrhosis. When ascites first develops, there may not be any symptoms. However, when the fluid builds up, the stomach will appear more and more bulging.
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4. Other causes
A distended stomach can be caused by less common factors, such as the buildup of gallstones in the gallbladder. Weight gain can also cause a distended stomach, as can intestinal blockage.
How to deal with a distended stomach
If you don’t have any discomfort or pain following a distended stomach, try home remedies for it. However, if the distended stomach starts to feel painful, consult a doctor immediately to find out the cause.
1. How to deal with a distended stomach at home
A distended stomach caused by eating too much can be overcome by providing a pause for the stomach to digest food. Eating small portions can also help prevent bloating after meals.
Also, consider eating more slowly so that your stomach has enough time to digest your food. If bloating is caused by bloating, avoid foods that contain gas, such as beans, broccoli, and cabbage. Meanwhile, for a distended stomach caused by lactose intolerance, avoid various dairy products.
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2. Medical care
If home treatments are not effective for treating a distended stomach, consult a doctor to get the right treatment. Your doctor may recommend using a diuretic, which will help your kidneys remove more fluid, causing a distended stomach. In rare cases, an infection can develop in the ascitic fluid, so the patient must undergo strict treatment and antibiotics to treat the distended stomach.
This article has been published on Kompas.com with the title Causes and Ways to Overcome a distended stomach that should not be underestimated.
Author: Lulu Lukyani
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Editor: Wahyu T. Rahmawati
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