Gastric distention is the enlargement of the
stomach
The stomach is a muscular, hollow organ in the upper gastrointestinal tract of Human, humans and many other animals, including several invertebrates. The Ancient Greek name for the stomach is ''gaster'' which is used as ''gastric'' in medical t ...
, and can be due to a number of causes.
Physiologic (normal) gastric distension occurs when eating. Distension of the upper stomach stimulates the secretion of stomach acid, while distension of the lower stomach stimulates
gastrin
Gastrin is a peptide hormone that stimulates secretion of gastric acid (HCl) by the parietal cells of the stomach and aids in gastric motility. It is released by G cells in the pyloric antrum of the stomach, duodenum, and the pancreas.
...
secretion. Distension of the stomach also stimulates the secretion of
ghrelin.
Other causes include:
*
binge eating
Binge eating is a pattern of disordered eating which consists of episodes of uncontrollable eating. It is a common symptom of eating disorders such as binge eating disorder and bulimia nervosa. During such binges, a person rapidly consumes an exc ...
associated with
bulimia nervosa
* tumors causing obstruction
*
diabetic neuropathy
*
scarring due to
pyloric gastritis
*
delayed gastric emptying
To identify the cause of gastric distention, an
upper endoscopy or
barium upper GI imaging should be done.
References
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Symptoms and signs: Digestive system and abdomen