What can cause a hard stomach? A hard stomach can happen for various reasons, including constipation, gastric cancer, and some chronic digestive conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Abdominal cramps produce a tightening or squeezing sensation in the belly. Cramps are usually related to gas, indigestion, diarrhea, bloating, constipation, menstruation, or possible miscarriage. Cramps tend to come and go, and may disappear entirely on their own.
Causes might include: Gas from functional indigestion, food intolerances or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Constipation causing a build-up of feces and back-up of digestive contents. Urinary retention causing a build-up of urine.
However, if you experience a feeling of tightness in a your stomach, it may not be the result of healthy intentions. A “rock hard” stomach may be the result of digestive or hormonal issues, and there are several symptoms to be aware of if you're questioning the tightness in your abdominals.
A hard stomach can have many different causes. People may have issues that are simple to treat, such as constipation, or they could have a more serious condition, such as IBS or IBD.
A swollen tummy (abdomen)
This might be because: the liver gets bigger from the growing cancer, and causes swelling on the right side of your abdomen. the cancer (or cirrhosis) increases pressure in the liver causing blood to back up in the vessels (veins). This forces fluid out of the veins into the abdomen (ascites)
Although a bloated stomach is a common symptom that is not harmless, it can actually be a sign of something serious. A bloated stomach that lasts longer than 2 weeks after taking medications, weight loss, pale skin, loss of appetite and yellowing of the skin can be warning signs of cancer.
A feeling of tightness in a person's stomach is usually the result of digestive or hormonal issues. The sensation often goes away on its own, but it can also signal an underlying health issue.
Most often, a lump in the abdomen is caused by a hernia. An abdominal hernia occurs when there is a weak spot in the abdominal wall. This allows the internal organs to bulge through the muscles of the abdomen. A hernia may appear after you strain, or lift something heavy, or after a long period of coughing.
Most of the time, gas is no more than a minor annoyance. However, gas occasionally produces intense pain that makes the entire abdomen feel full and tender. This pain can radiate to the back, causing back pain and bloating. Minor gastrointestinal problems, such as stomach viruses, may also cause intense gas pain.
Your healthcare provider also looks for tenderness or pain that you might feel when they briefly push in and then quickly lift their hands off your stomach. Such pain means that the membrane that lines the belly cavity is inflamed. This often happens when the appendix is diseased.
Hard belly fat: Hard belly fat is known as visceral fat, which is located around your organs and it is more harmful then soft belly fat. Unlike soft belly fat, you cannot see hard belly fat as they are located deep under the skin.
Upper abdominal bloating may be related to slow movement of the intestine called gastroparesis, swallowing air while eating, an infection, or overeating. Lower abdominal bloating can be from constipation, IBS, gas caused by food intolerance, or fluid retention.
The liver typically contains some fat, but excessive buildup can cause fatty liver disease. Fatty liver disease can decrease liver function and lead to weight loss, fatigue, and swelling in the abdomen or belly. Fatty liver disease can occur when there is more than 5% fat in the liver.
Abdominal pain or a feeling of fullness in the upper right side of the abdomen (belly). Nausea, loss of appetite or weight loss. Yellowish skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice). Swollen abdomen and legs (edema).
Contact your provider if: The abdominal swelling is getting worse and does not go away. The swelling occurs with other unexplained symptoms. Your abdomen is tender to the touch.
If your bloating is accompanied by abdominal pain, cramps, dizziness, nausea or vomiting, then it might be a serious problem.
Abdominal bloating is characterized by symptoms of trapped gas, abdominal pressure, and fullness. Abdominal distension is defined as a measurable increase in abdominal girth. These symptoms frequently co-exist, although they can occur separately.
Abdominal (belly) pain. A mass or swelling in the abdomen. Nausea and vomiting. Feeling full after eating only a small amount of food.
However, it may be time to seek medical attention when stomach pain progresses, and you begin to develop other symptoms. If the following symptoms accompany your stomach pain, it may be time to go to the emergency room: Abdomen is extremely hard. Abdominal tenderness when touched.
Hard fat raises LDL cholesterol, increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke. Soft fat can lower LDL cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. Exercise increases hard fat, improving metabolism and calorie burning.