Abdominal distension: why your belly feels swollen and what to try

Feeling like your stomach is tight, stretched, or bigger than usual? That's abdominal distension. Most of the time it’s from gas, overeating, constipation, or a food sensitivity. For people with diabetes, delayed stomach emptying (gastroparesis) can also make the belly feel full and bloated.

Distension is different from simple fullness. Bloating is the uncomfortable feeling; distension is the actual increase in belly size. Knowing which you have helps pick the right fix.

Quick relief tips you can try today

Eat smaller meals and chew slowly — that cuts how much air you swallow. Avoid fizzy drinks, chewing gum, and very fatty meals right before bed. Try a short walk after a meal; movement helps move gas through your gut.

Watch common triggers: beans, onions, garlic, cabbage, apples, and artificial sweeteners (sorbitol, xylitol) can cause gas. Many people feel better on a low‑FODMAP approach for a few weeks. If you have diabetes, balancing carbs and timing medications may reduce bloating — check with your care team before changing doses.

Constipated? Increasing fiber slowly, drinking enough water, and light exercise can help. Over‑the‑counter simethicone can reduce trapped gas for some people. A short course of a gentle laxative may be useful, but don’t rely on it long term without medical advice.

Tests, causes to consider, and when to see help

If your distension is sudden, severe, or comes with fever, ongoing vomiting, blood in stool, chest pain, or rapid weight loss, get medical help right away. These could mean obstruction, infection, or other serious problems.

Your doctor may start with a physical exam and basic blood tests. Common next steps: abdominal ultrasound, X‑ray or CT scan, stool tests, breath tests for bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), endoscopy, or a gastric emptying study if gastroparesis is suspected. Bring a list of your medicines — some drugs can cause swelling or slow digestion.

Other causes doctors look for include: persistent constipation, IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), lactose or fructose intolerance, SIBO, fluid buildup (ascites), or less commonly, ovarian or abdominal masses. Treating the cause is the best way to stop recurring distension.

Simple tracking helps a lot: write down what you eat, how you feel, and when symptoms start. That makes it easier to spot patterns and gives your provider useful clues. If lifestyle fixes don’t help within a couple of weeks, or symptoms keep coming back, schedule a checkup.

Want targeted tips? Tell your clinician about other health issues like diabetes, recent surgeries, or new medications. That fast detail can speed up the right tests and treatment so you stop feeling uncomfortable.