What Is Distention?
Distention is the creation of internal pressure which causes the swelling and enlargement of specific organs which interferes with their ability to function. Treatment is dependent on the type, severity, and location of the distention. Most cases can be alleviated with lifestyle changes, but in some instances, the distention can be indicative of a more serious condition.
Abdominal distention is a common condition that usually results from overeating. Individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) often experience abdominal swelling and discomfort caused, in part, by the collection of gas in the digestive tract. The consumption of fibrous foods, such as vegetables and fruits, and dairy products, especially by lactose intolerant individuals, can also contribute to internal pressure. Lifestyle changes, such as dietary adjustments and employing stress reduction techniques, generally help with alleviating instances of abdominal distention and discomfort.
The abnormal enlargement of the bladder due to urine accumulation, resulting from an inability to excrete urine, is known as bladder distention. Medical causes for bladder enlargement include bladder cancer, prostate cancer, and bladder stones that cause interrupted urine flow leading to incomplete emptying of the bladder, known as urethral calculi. Inadequate drainage or irritation associated with catheter usage may also result in urine retention.
An individual with bladder distention may be asymptomatic, meaning exhibiting no symptoms, until the continued expansion of the bladder creates discomfort. In acute cases, however, the individual may experience sudden symptoms. Treatment for bladder distention includes catheterization or surgery when there is an obstruction of the urinary tract.
Conditions associated with vein distention include pericarditis, a swelling and inflammation of the sac surrounding the heart, and congestive heart failure. Both conditions can manifest in the distention of the jugular vein, affecting the return blood flow to the right atrium of the heart, causing it to protrude to the surface, or bulge. When a blockage occurs and blood backs up in the veins, fluids build up in the tissues of the body, which can lead to fluid overload and a condition known as edema, or swelling.
Acute pericarditis, also known as a heart infection, is most common and usually treatable with medication alone. Symptoms of acute pericarditis include muscle pain, feelings of weakness and fatigue, and a sharp, stabbing pain localized on the left side of the chest. Causes of pericarditis include fungi exposure, bacteria, and drug reactions. Pericarditis can be treated with an aspirin regimen and, in cases where bacterium is the culprit, antibiotics. Two complications — cardiac tamponade, a fluid buildup in the sac surrounding the heart, and constrictive pericarditis, a thickening and scarring of the heart sac — can result if cases of pericarditis are left untreated, and require hospitalization and surgery.
Congestive heart failure is a chronic condition that affects the heart's ability to pump blood to the body's organs. Abnormal heart rhythms, called arrhythmias; a heart attack; and heart defects at birth can contribute to the development of congestive heart failure. Symptoms include fatigue and weakness, heart palpitations, and weight gain resulting from fluid retention. Heart failure is an irreversible condition but can be managed with treatment, including lifestyle changes, medications, and surgery.
Written by J.M. Willhite
