Abdominal Swelling: Causes

What causes abdominal swelling?

Abdominal swelling has many possible underlying causes. General conditions that can cause abdominal swelling include infection, malignancy, inflammation, trauma, obstruction and other abnormal processes.

Abdominal swelling can result from gastrointestinal or digestive conditions or from conditions of other body systems, such as the endocrine, nervous, reproductive and urinary systems.

Gastrointestinal causes of abdominal swelling

Abdominal swelling may accompany other conditions affecting the digestive tract including:

• Appendicitis

• Celiac disease

• Colorectal cancer and pancreatic cancer

• Diverticulitis

• Food poisoning

• Gastritis

• Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis)

• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

• Lactose intolerance and other food intolerances

• Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis, liver failure)

• Overeating

• Pancreatitis

• Viral gastroenteritis

Other causes of abdominal swelling

Abdominal swelling can also be caused by problems in body systems other than the digestive tract including:

• Abdominal tumor or mass

• Advanced stages of certain cancers, such as lymphoma and breast, colon, stomach or ovarian cancer

• Alcohol abuse

• Ascites

• Ovarian cyst

• Portal hypertension

• Pregnancy

• Swallowing air

• Uterine fibroids

• Weight gain

Life-threatening causes of abdominal swelling

In some cases, abdominal swelling may accompany a serious or life-threatening condition that should be immediately evaluated in an emergency setting. These include:

• Abdominal abscess

• Abdominal aortic aneurysm

• Abdominal trauma

• Acute congestive heart failure

• Bowel obstruction

• Hepatic encephalopathy

• Peritonitis

What are the potential complications of abdominal swelling?

In some cases, abdominal swelling can be associated with serious and life-threatening complications, especially if the swelling is severe or the underlying disease or condition is untreated or poorly managed. Complications of these conditions include:

• Bowel obstruction

• Difficulty breathing

• Severe discomfort or pain

• Peritonitis

• Reduced appetite

• Shock