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Distention causes organs to swell and interfere with their function. Abdominal distension can result from overeating, IBD, and fibrous foods. Bladder distension can be caused by cancer or stones. Venous distension can cause heart failure. Treatment depends on the severity and location of the problem.
Distention is the creation of internal pressure that causes specific organs to swell and enlarge, which interferes with their ability to function. Treatment depends on the type, severity, and location of the problem. Most cases can be relieved with lifestyle changes, but in some cases, pressure can be an indication of a more serious condition.
Abdominal distension is a common condition that usually results from overeating. Individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) often experience abdominal bloating and discomfort caused, in part, by gas collecting in the digestive tract. Eating fibrous foods, such as fruits and vegetables, and dairy products, especially by lactose intolerant individuals, can also contribute to gas and pressure. Lifestyle changes, such as dietary adjustments and the use of stress reduction techniques, generally help relieve bloating and discomfort.
The abnormal enlargement of the bladder due to urine accumulation, resulting from the inability to pass urine, is known as bladder distension. Medical causes of this problem include bladder cancer, prostate cancer, and bladder stones, known as urethral stones, which cause the flow of urine to stop, leading to incomplete emptying of the bladder. Inadequate drainage or irritation associated with catheter use can also cause urine retention.
An individual with an enlarged bladder may be asymptomatic, meaning they show no symptoms, until the continued expansion of the bladder creates discomfort. In acute cases, however, the individual may experience sudden symptoms. Treatment for this condition includes catheterization or surgery if there is a urinary tract obstruction.
Conditions associated with venous distension include pericarditis, swelling and inflammation of the sac surrounding the heart, and congestive heart failure. Both conditions can affect the jugular vein, cutting off blood flow back to the right atrium of the heart, causing the vein to swell. When a blockage occurs and blood pools in the veins, fluid builds up in the body’s tissues, which can lead to fluid overload and a condition known as edema or swelling.
Acute pericarditis, also known as a heart infection, is the most common and usually treatable with medication alone. Symptoms include muscle pain, a feeling of weakness and fatigue, and a sharp, stabbing pain on the left side of the chest. Causes of infection include exposure to fungi, bacteria, and drug reactions. Pericarditis can be treated with a regimen of aspirin and, in cases where the bacterium is the culprit, antibiotics. If this condition is not treated, two complications can occur: cardiac tamponade, accumulation of fluid in the sac surrounding the heart and constrictive pericarditis, thickening and scarring of the heart sac 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, can contribute to the development of congestive heart failure, as well as a heart attack and heart defects at birth. Symptoms include fatigue and weakness, heart palpitations, and weight gain resulting from fluid retention. Heart failure is a life-threatening condition but can be managed with treatment, including lifestyle changes, medications, and surgery.
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