SYMPTOM CHECKER

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Abdominal swelling

What to expect at your health care provider's office

Your health care provider perform a physical exam and ask questions about your medical history, such as:

• Time pattern
  • When did the abdominal swelling begin?
  • Does it occur after meals or after eating specific foods?
• What other symptoms occur at the same time? For example, have you had:
  • Absent menstrual period
  • Diarrhea
  • Excessive fatigue
  • Excessive gas or belching
  • Irritability
  • Vomiting
  • Weight gain

• Abdominal CT scan
• Abdominal ultrasound
• Blood tests
• Colonoscopy
• Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD)
• Paracentesis
• Sigmoidoscopy
• Stool analysis
• X-rays of the abdomen

References

Proctor DD. Approach to the patient with gastrointestinal disease. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 134.

Postier RG, Squires RA. Acute abdomen. In: Townsend CM, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2008:chap 45.

Reviewer Info: Linda Vorvick, MD, Family Physician, Seattle Site Coordinator, Lecturer, Pathophysiology, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc. , 11/16/2008