Abdominal distension occurs when your belly appears or feels larger than normal. You may notice a sense of tightness, swelling or fullness in your abdomen. In infants, it often shows up after feeding or due to trapped gas. Clinically, it's classified under code R14.0 in 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:
With a focus on patient-centered care and comprehensive digestive health solutions, GastroDoxs provides expert diagnostics and effective treatment for abdominal distension and related conditions. Our compassionate, personalized approach ensures you receive the attention and support needed to achieve long-term relief and an improved quality of life. Don't let bloating or belly swelling hold you back-book your appointment today and take the first step toward lasting comfort and wellness.
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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 means your belly looks or feels larger than normal, often due to gas, fluid, or swelling in the digestive tract.
Signs include a round or swollen abdomen, bloating, cramps, excessive burping or gas, discomfort or mild pain, and feeling full after small meals.
Common causes are certain foods (like beans or fizzy drinks), IBS, food sensitivities (lactose or gluten), constipation, slow digestion, fluid buildup, infections, inflammation, and stress or anxiety.
The primary ICD-10 code for abdominal distension is R14.0.
You should seek medical care if your belly remains swollen, the distension is painful, worsens quickly, or is accompanied by other concerning symptoms like fever or weight loss.
A gastroenterologist will perform a physical exam and may order tests such as abdominal ultrasound, breath tests for gas, lab work, or endoscopy to identify the cause.
In infants, distension often stems from swallowed air, gas, or formula issues; in rare cases, it can signal an intestinal blockage that needs prompt attention.
While most cases resolve with simple interventions like feeding changes or tummy massage, very rare and serious blockages may require surgical evaluation.
Probiotics can support healthy gut flora, which may reduce gas production and improve digestion for some people, but results can vary.
Abdominal distension is treated by gastroenterologists or stomach specialists-such as the team at GastroDoxs in Katy-who offer expert evaluation and personalized care plans.
