Gastric distension

Gastric distention is the enlargement of the stomach, and can be due to a number of causes.^{[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.^[1] Distension of the stomach also stimulates the secretion of ghrelin.^[2]

Other causes include:

• binge eating associated with bulimia nervosa^[3]
• tumors causing obstruction^[4]
• diabetic neuropathy
• scarring due to pyloric gastritis^[5]
• delayed gastric emptying^[6]

To identify the cause of gastric distention, an upper endoscopy or barium upper GI imaging should be done.^[7]