Abdominal swelling, also known as a swollen belly or abdominal distention, is a condition caused from something as simple as overeating or as serious as a life-threatening disease or illness. Treatment varies, depending on the cause and extent of the swelling, and if the swelling is acute or chronic. In many diseases, abdominal swelling is one of several symptoms leading to a diagnosis.
Lactose Intolerance
Lactase is the enzyme produced by the small intestine to make milk or lactose products digestible. Lactose intolerance is a condition in which the small intestine doesn't make enough lactase. Lactose intolerance usually begins in children older than 5, with about 30 million Americans affected by the age of 20, according to MedlinePlus.
Symptoms include abdominal swelling, diarrhea, nausea, weight loss, abdominal cramps and slow growth. Treatment options include removing milk products from the diet, or substituting buttermilk, cheese, yogurt, ice cream, soy, rice milk or lactose-free milk products. In addition, lactase enzymes can be added to regular milk.
Short Bowel Syndrome
Short bowel syndrome, or SBS, defines conditions caused by poor nutrient absorption, especially following removal of half or more of the small intestine. Since most of the digestion and absorption of nutrients occurs in the small intestine, SBS requires nutritional supplements to avoid dehydration and malnutrition.
SBS symptoms include bloating, cramping, weakness, diarrhea, heartburn and weight loss. Specific treatment options depend on the extent of the disease. Mild SBS requires eating small, frequent meals; moderate SBS requires additional intravenous fluid and electrolyte supplements; severe SBS requires total intravenous nutrition, reports the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse.
Wilms' Tumor
Wilms' tumor, a rare kidney cancer that mostly affects children, is the most common cancerous tumor of the kidneys in children, according to MayoClinic.com. It usually occurs between ages 3 and 6.
Symptoms include abdominal swelling, a mass in the abdomen, stomach pain, nausea, fever, blood in the urine and constipation. Risk factors indicate girls are more likely than boys to develop a Wilms' tumor, and a family history of Wilms' increases the risk. Treatment options include surgery to remove the kidney or just the tumor and surrounding tissue. The use of chemotherapy and radiation is determined by the stage of the tumor.
Ulcerative Colitis
Ulcerative colitis is a chronic illness associated with inflammatory bowel disease in which the lining of the large intestine swells. Ulcerative colitis usually affects the entire colon, reports Seattle Children's, with most diagnoses occurring between the ages of 15 and 30.
Ulcerative colitis symptoms include severe abdominal swelling, chronic diarrhea, dehydration, weight loss and anemia. Treatment options include medications to reduce inflammation and for diarrhea control, antibiotics for infection, and surgery to remove the affected colon.
