What Causes Abdominal Swelling?
This is a common condition and may be due to overeating, weight gain, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), contraceptive pill, pregnancy or constipation. Very often abdominal swelling is caused by intestinal gas as a result of a sudden increase in fiber such as vegetables and fruit. Eating fatty, salty or processed foods and drinking carbonated drinks or too much alcohol can also lead to a stomach bloating. Sometimes swallowing air unconsciously, too little protein in the diet, food allergies or being lactose intolerant may cause a puffy stomach. However, abdominal swelling may also be the result of a more serious illness that causes intestinal inflammation or obstruction such as colon cancer, diverticulitis, Crohn’s disease, or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Abdominal swelling occurs when large volumes of different gases – hydrogen sulphides or mercaptans are produced at a higher temperature and pressure. These gases stretch the gut wall past its elasticity limit, causing the abdomen to expa
