In: Nursing
why does abdominal distension universal among patients with irritable bowel syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome is a disease of the large intestine. The disease is commonly characterized by symptoms such as abdominal pain, abdominal distension, nausea, vomiting abdominal cramps, diarrhoea etc.Some people may have the complaints of constipation also.The signs and symptoms are not common among all, it may vary among the individuals. The symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome begins usually after having food. One of the common symptoms of abdominal distension is found in all patients with irritable bowel syndrome.
The major reason for abdominal distension in irritable bowel syndrome is due to incresed production of gas. Apart from production, there will be retension of this gas in the abdomen and intestinal lumen takes place.Apart from gas forming, the individuals with irritable bowel syndrome may also have constipation and delayed absorption of ingested food items. This can also contribute to a feeling of fullness in the stomach. Which is clinically characterized by incresed abdominal girth, bloating and abdominal distension.
Most of the individuals with irritable bowel syndrome may have altered digestion. As a result carbohydrate metabolism is delayed among them.This will be leading to accumulation of metabolic products in stomach. Their will be more and more gas production from the intestinal bacteria. All these factors like accumulation of gas, accumulation of fecal matter due to constipation, accumulation of food and water due to delayed gastric emptying etc together contribute to the development of abdominal distension amomg IBS patients.