Gastric distension

Template:Short description Gastric distention is the enlargement of the stomach, and can be due to a number of causes.Template:Citation needed

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 secretion.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Distension of the stomach also stimulates the secretion of ghrelin.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Other causes include:

• binge eating associated with bulimia nervosa<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
• tumors causing obstruction<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
• diabetic neuropathy
• scarring due to pyloric gastritis<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
• delayed gastric emptying<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

To identify the cause of gastric distention, an upper endoscopy or barium upper GI imaging should be done.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>