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Top Abdominal Distension Doctor- Dr. Scott
Stomach ache can be a burden in life. GastroDoxs in Houston is a clinic where Dr. Scott will provide qualified opinions and treatment to get the cause of your abdominal distension. He ensures that the diagnosis and the relief is correct by implementing changes in the lifestyle to the advanced minimal invasive surgeries.
Dr. Scott Liu, MD, is a board-certified gastroenterologist with over six years of experience and a background in military medicine. He earned his medical degree from the University of Maryland, Baltimore, completed his Internal Medicine residency at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, and finished his Gastroenterology fellowship through the National Capital Consortium. Dr. Liu provides comprehensive care for a broad range of digestive conditions, including abdominal pain, acid reflux, liver disease, chronic diarrhea, and colon cancer screening. He is a member of the American College of Gastroenterology and is known for his disciplined, patient-focused approach and clear communication.
Common Causes and Risk Factors
Binge eating or eating fast.
Filling up gas of carbonated beverage or of gulp air.
Moving bowels slowly and constipation.
Food intolerance (e.g. lactose intolerance or gluten intolerance)
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).
Small Intestinal Bacterial overgrowth (SIBO).
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD).
Hard to empty the stomach (Gastroparesis)
Hormonal (e.g. menstruation) alterations.
The abdominal fluid (Ascites).
Signs and Symptoms
Dilation of the abdomen or abdomen bloating.
Bullying or the constriction of the stomach area.
Excessive gas or flatulence
Abdominal pain or cramping.
Burping or belching
Postprandial heaviness.
Loss of appetite
Nausea or queasiness
Alterations in the bowel movements (constipation or diarrhea)
The diaphragm is compressed and leads to shortness of breath.
The abdomen has gurgling or rumbling.
Sharp or dull abdominal pain
How Dr. Scott Diagnoses Abdominal Distension?
Dr. Scott uses a step-by-step approach:
1. Medical History and Physical Exam
He starts by looking at what you eat, what you do on a daily basis, your bowel movements, past operations, stress and any medication or other supplements that can also be contributing to the bloating.
2. Blood Tests
Laboratory tests identify the possible reasons as:
Infectious or inflammatory manifestations.
Dysfunction of thyroid functioning.
Liver or pancreatic issues
Nutritional deficiency/anemia.
3. Breath and Stool Tests
Breath tests: These are the tests that are used in diagnosing Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO), lactose or fructose malabsorption.
Stool tests: Diagnostic infections, inflammation, fat malabsorption, and deficiency of digestive enzymes.
4. Imaging Studies
Abdominal ultrasound: It establishes whether fluid is present (ascites), gases, swellings of the organs, cancer.
CT scan or MRI:A more detailed description is provided in the event of the over-suspected mechanical obstruction, hernias or abnormal growths.
5. Endoscopy or Colonoscopy
In the suspicion of gastrointestinal obstruction/inflammation: Upper endoscopy: Verifies the gastric quality of gastritis, gastric ulcers or gastric stagnation. Colonoscopy: It examines etiology of colonic (including diverticulosis, strictures and cancers).
6. Functional and Motility Testing (if needed)
Gastric emptying scan: This will tell whether your stomach is emptying too slowly (gastroparesis).
Transit studies or motility tests: Test intestinal food movement.
7. Individualized Follow-Up
According to the findings of the tests, Dr. Scott will order further testing, trial of dietary changes, or consultations with nutritionist to get information about some of the triggers and develop a unique care plan.
Treatment
Our Team offers a full range of care for abdominal distension.
1. Lifestyle and Diet Changes
Have fewer meals but eat less.
Never consume fatty, spicy or acidic food.
Drink plenty of water
Calm down through meditation or exercise.
See the food that is painful.
2. Medications
Antigastritic/antipsychotic agents.
IBS cramps Antispasmodic.
Antibiotics for infections
Pain relievers as needed
3. Minimally Invasive or Advanced Procedures
Gastric removal of the gallstones.
Appendicitis laparoscopic appendectomy.
Colonoscopy to be able to identify and treat polyps.
Dr. Scott Liu, MD, is a board-certified gastroenterologist with over six years of experience and a background in military medicine. He earned his medical degree from the University of Maryland, Baltimore, completed his Internal Medicine residency at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, and finished his Gastroenterology fellowship through the National Capital Consortium. Dr. Liu provides comprehensive care for a broad range of digestive conditions, including abdominal pain, acid reflux, liver disease, chronic diarrhea, and colon cancer screening. He is a member of the American College of Gastroenterology and is known for his disciplined, patient-focused approach and clear communication.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is abdominal distension?
Abdominal distension refers to the feeling of fullness or visible swellings in the belly that in most instances are brought about by gas, fluid or digestive complications.
When do you visit the doctor because of abdominal distension?
Consult health care provider in which case the distension may be chronic, painful with weight loss, vomiting, or bloody stool or bowel patterns.
Are there any chances that the cause of abdominal distension is food?
Yes. The typical causes are lactose, gluten, and carbonated drinks, beans, high-fat or fiber food.
Does the abdominal distension worsen in the presence of stress?
Yes. The stress can also affect the digestion process, make it slower, aggravate the symptoms of such condition like IBS that may lead to bloating and discomfort.
Does abdominal distension equate to bloating?
The two complement each other yet they are not exactly the same. The bloating due to a subjective abdominal distension is known as distension.
Is the cause of abdominal distension constipation?
Absolutely. This might lead to a distended and swollen stomach, and discomfort as far as the stool is accumulated in the colon.
Diagnosis of abdominal distension?
To determine the cause, Dr. Scott implements physical examination, blood tests, stool and breath tests, imaging tests and others, endoscopy or motility tests.
Abdominal distension: Is it an ominous thing?
In some cases, yes. The chronic distension may be accompanied by the presence of such complications as ascites, tumour, bowel obstruction or liver disease, and has to be treated urgently.
Will dietary treatment decrease abdominal distension?
Yes. It is treatable in terms of reducing symptoms by eliminating trigger foods, eating slowly, low-FODMAP or anti-bloating diet.
What is involved in the treatment of abdominal distention?
The treatment may be dietary taking probiotics, motility or gas-relief drugs, and treatment of underlying causes based on the cause.
