Abdominal distension is the process in which your belly seems to be bigger or bigger than usual. A feeling of tightness, abdominal swelling or fullness may be experienced. In an infant, it tends to appear following a meal or because of stagnant gas. It is a type of condition that clinically is categorized under code R14.0 of the ICD-10 system.
You may experience one or more of the following signs:
Abdominal distension can stem from various factors in adults and infants:
Specializing in the field of patient-centered therapy and complete treatment of the digestive system, GastroDoxs offers professional diagnostics and feasible treatment to the abdominal distension and other disorders. We offer a caring, individualized therapy to you so that you can have the attention and help that would help you attain long term relief and a better quality of life. It should not be the swelling of the belly or bloating you but rather go ahead and reserve your appointment and begin the journey to a comfortable, healthy life.
We've successfully treated more than 381 patients, helping individuals improve their digestive health and overall well-being through expert, personalized care.
With over 20 years of experience, GastroDoxs has been a trusted provider of gastroenterology care, focusing on delivering the best outcomes for patients
Dr. Bharat Pothuri is a Board-Certified Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist. With extensive experience in digestive health, he specializes in advanced endoscopic procedures, chronic GI disorder management, and preventive care. Dr. Pothuri is dedicated to providing expert, patient-focused insights to help improve gut health and overall well-being.
Abdominal distension is an enlarging of the belly which is filled with gas, fluid or swelling of the digestive tract.
Some of the indications are a round or puffy belly, bloating, cramps, excessive burping or gas, pain or minor discomfort, and feeling full despite having small meals.
Among the most frequent causes include specific foods (beans, fizzy drinks, lactose, gluten), constipation, slow digestion, fluid retention, infection, inflammation, stress and anxiety.
R14.0 is the main ICD-10 code for abdominal distension.
You need to consult a physician in case your belly continues to swell, the distension is painful, progresses rapidly or is accompanied by other symptoms that may cause concern such as fever or weight loss.
Physical exam will be conducted by a gastroenterologist with potential tests including abdominal ultrasound, gas breath tests, lab tests, and endoscopy to determine the cause.
The distension in infants is usually a result of air, gas, or a formula that has been swallowed; in the exceptional instances, the distension may be an indication of an obstruction in the intestines which requires immediate care.
Although the majority of them result in easy remedies, such as feeding alteration or tummy massage, extremely uncommon and severe blockages can be examined surgically.
Some individuals may be helped by probiotics in supporting a healthy gut flora, that can lower gas generation and increase their digestion but not all people will.
Treatments of abdominal distension include gastroenterologists or stomach experts — like the team of GastroDoxs in Katy — who provide professional assessment and custom treatment plans.
