# Alcoholism and Abdominal Distention

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alcoholism-and-abdominal-distention/482940>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [January 25, 2009, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alcoholism-and-abdominal-distention/482940 "2009-01-25T19:02:21Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![SiXSwordS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/49beb7/32.png) [@SiXSwordS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SiXSwordS)\
**Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alcoholism-and-abdominal-distention/482940/1 "2009-01-25T19:02:21Z")

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In [this](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=502989) thread there are several references to chronic alcoholics having abdominal distention as a result.

What causes this?

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**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\
**Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alcoholism-and-abdominal-distention/482940/2 "2009-01-25T19:15:48Z")

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Could be a number of things, but the most common is cysts or fluid accumulation from either liver or pancreas damage caused by the alcohol. Also possible are the masses and tumors that can cause abdominal distention in anyone, alcoholic or no. [http://yourtotalhealth.ivillage.com/does-expanding-abdomen-mean-cirrhosis.html](http://yourtotalhealth.ivillage.com/does-expanding-abdomen-mean-cirrhosis.html)

OK, this doesn’t answer the question, but I found it while looking for a useful page for you, and it’s so funny I have to share:

> [@](#):
>
> Results: 1 cause of **Abdominal swelling** AND\*\* Alcohol use\*\*
> 
> ```
> 1. Pregnancy
> The condition of supporting a fetus from conception till birth....read more »
> 
> ```
> 
> [From here.](http://symptoms.wrongdiagnosis.com/cosymptoms/abdominal-swelling/alcohol-use-desc.htm)

:eek:

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**Author:** ![SiXSwordS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/49beb7/32.png) [@SiXSwordS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SiXSwordS)\
**Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alcoholism-and-abdominal-distention/482940/3 "2009-01-25T19:28:45Z")

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> [@WhyNot](#):
>
> OK, this doesn’t answer the question, but I found it while looking for a useful page for you, and it’s so funny I have to share:

I believe scientists have proven a direct relationship between drinking and pregnancy. A similar study that found some interesting facts about [Red Wine](http://www.theonion.com/content/news/study_finds_link_between_red_wine) consumption.

So, the liver and more than likely the pancreas become damaged and that leads to cysts? Or is it that the damage leads to some kind of edema?

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**Author:** ![Huerta88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/82dd89/32.png) [@Huerta88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Huerta88)\
**Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alcoholism-and-abdominal-distention/482940/4 "2009-01-25T19:30:43Z")

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> **[Ascites](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ascites)**
>
> Ascites is the abnormal build-up of fluid in the abdomen. Technically, it is more than 25 ml of fluid in the peritoneal cavity, although volumes greater than one liter may occur. Symptoms may include increased abdominal size, increased weight, abdominal discomfort, and shortness of breath. Complications can include spontaneous bacterial peritonitis.
> In the developed world, the most common cause is liver cirrhosis. Other causes include cancer, heart failure, tuberculosis, pancreatitis, and blocka...

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**Author:** ![SiXSwordS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/49beb7/32.png) [@SiXSwordS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SiXSwordS)\
**Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alcoholism-and-abdominal-distention/482940/5 "2009-01-25T19:46:13Z")

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Very helpful, thank you.

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**Author:** ![SiXSwordS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/49beb7/32.png) [@SiXSwordS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SiXSwordS)\
**Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alcoholism-and-abdominal-distention/482940/6 "2009-01-25T19:59:26Z")

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If anyone else is interested, I found a good explanation [here](http://hepatitis.about.com/od/complications/a/Ascites.htm).