Brief Answer:
Possible causes and how to further proceed explained below

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to "Ask a Doctor" service,

I carefully read your query.

A bloated or distended tummy can be caused by several causes other than pregnancy. If you are not in the childbearing age or if you have not missed any periods than pregnancy is not likely.

As for other causes, indigestion or constipation may be possible and in some cases, if you have problems with the liver, this may cause fluids to collect in your tummy. The distention will last as long as the underlying cause is present, so it will depend on the reason for the distention.

I would advise you to:
- have a pregnancy test is you are in the childbearing age and you are missing a period (just to rule out pregnancy for sure)

- take Omeprazole 20 mg 30 minutes before breakfast to help settle any indigestion that may be present

- avoid milk and very sweet or fatty foods. You can take yogurt and cheese. Some patients may have an intolerance to milk and get lots of abdominal distention due to this. Sweet and fatty food may cause a similar thing.

- try to have small meals, avoid heavy meals and also sparkling drinks. Avoid coffee and alcohol.

- You may take Movicol 1-2 sachets a day to help your stools be soft and your bowel movement be easy and have them regularly.

- exercise is important to keep your bowel healthy as well (try to be active)

- eat fruit and vegetable and avoid pasta

- simethicone, Pepto-Bismol or activated charcoal are over the counter pills that you may try if you think you have a lot of gas in your bowel (you may try one of them, simethicone is the most used one)

- if you are not better in 1-2 weeks with these measures or you think you are getting any worse please see your doctor. In this case, an abdominal ultrasound is needed to make sure your liver is well and there is no water collection between your bowels (ascites). Depending on the findings the doctor may ask of other tests as well (stool tests, endoscopic examination of the stomach, etc).

I hope this answers your query.
I remain at your disposal for further medical assistance.

Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj
General and Family Physician

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Brief Answer:
Congestive heart failure may cause abdominal distension due to ascites

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Thank you for your reply.

Congestive heart failure may affect the liver and cause it to leak fluids in the abdomen in the form of ascites. So, yes, congestive heart failure may cause abdominal distension.

Because you have some leg swelling as well, it is best to see your doctor and have an ultrasound done to evaluate the function of your heart. Congestive heart failure is generally treated with diuretics and other drugs to help the heart function better and the extra water that was retained to be filtered out through the kidneys.

Rarely ascites and leg swelling can be due to kidney function problems so the doctor may need to also do some blood tests to check kidney function as well (urea, electrolytes, and creatinine), especially if the heart ultrasound is normal and does not justify your symptoms. Liver function tests may be ordered as well (transaminases, bilirubin, coagulation time, albumin level in the blood, etc).

I hope this answers your query.
I remain at your disposal for further medical assistance.

Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj
General and Family Physician

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