Causes and Treatments of Intestinal Distension

The phenomenon of intestinal distension necessitates ruling out whether it stems from abnormal bowel movements. Individuals prone to constipation are vulnerable to intestinal distension. Daily dietary attention is crucial, advocating increased intake of fruits, vegetables, and water, while minimizing spicy, stimulating, and gas-producing foods. Maintaining smooth bowel movements is imperative. Let's delve into the causes and treatments of intestinal distension.

I. Causes of Intestinal Distension

1. Gastrointestinal diseases that induce distension encompass: acute and chronic gastritis, gastroptosis, acute gastric dilation, pyloric stenosis, gastric ulcer, gastric cancer, among others; intestinal diseases include bacterial dysentery, amebic dysentery, intestinal tuberculosis, acute hemorrhagic necrotic enteritis, etc.; complete or incomplete intestinal obstruction; superior mesenteric artery syndrome; intestinal parasitosis; and gastrointestinal neurosis, which comprises aerophagia, gastric bubble syndrome, hepatosplenic flexure syndrome, colonic allergy, etc.

2. Liver, gallbladder, and pancreatic diseases contributing to distension are: acute or chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, primary liver cancer; biliary diseases like chronic cholecystitis, gallstones; and pancreatic diseases such as acute or chronic pancreatitis.

3. Peritoneal diseases that lead to distension include acute peritonitis, tuberculous peritonitis, peritoneal cancer, and the like.

4. Cardiovascular diseases associated with distension encompass congestive heart failure, angina pectoris, arrhythmia, mesenteric vascular embolism, thrombosis, mesenteric arteriosclerosis, and more.

5. Acute infectious diseases causing distension result from severe infections like toxicosis, septicemia, toxic pneumonia, typhoid enteritis, and others.

6. Other diseases contributing to distension include bronchial asthma, emphysema, hypokalemia, spinal lesions, drug reactions, connective tissue diseases, myxedema, malnutrition, and postoperative conditions.

II. Treatments for Intestinal Distension

Intestinal distension can be addressed through the following methods:

1. Dietary regulation: Consume liquid, soft, and easily digestible foods. Reduce intake of greasy and bean products, which tend to generate gas and exacerbate bloating.

2. Exercise regulation: Increasing exercise can stimulate gastrointestinal motility, facilitate expulsion of intestinal gas, and alleviate symptoms.

3. Medication: Administer orally medications that promote gastrointestinal motility, like Xinluona and Domperidone.

4. Traditional Chinese medicine treatment: Utilize herbal medicine and decoctions that enhance qi circulation and alleviate distension. Acupuncture and plaster therapy can also be effective treatments.