What does a rigid abdomen mean?
Overview. Abdominal rigidity is stiffness of your stomach muscles that worsens when you touch, or someone else touches, your abdomen. This is an involuntary response to prevent pain caused by pressure on your abdomen. Another term for this protective mechanism is guarding.
Does your lower stomach get hard in early pregnancy?
During the early stages of pregnancy, around 7 or 8 weeks, the growth of the uterus and the development of the baby, turn the the belly harder.
Should abdomen be firm or soft?
Normal: Abdomen is soft, rectus muscle is relaxed and no discomfort is elicited during palpation.
Why do doctors press your abdomen?
Pressing on your stomach is a way to find out if the size of your internal organs is normal, to check if anything hurts, and to feel if anything unusual is going on. Looking, listening, and feeling are all part of a physical exam.
What does a tight stomach feel like?
A tight stomach is often described as a sensation in which the muscles in your stomach feel tight for a period time. It may feel similar to abdominal bloating, and is often accompanied by other symptoms such as cramping. The sensation may be described differently by different people.
Why does my tummy feel heavy?
The cause of heaviness in your stomach is often a reflection of your eating habits, such as: eating too much. eating too quickly. eating too often.
What are the signs of an abdominal injury?
Recognizing abdominal injuries
- Abdominal pain.
- Tenderness over the injured area.
- Rigid abdomen.
- Left arm and shoulder pain (spleen)
- Right-sided abdominal pain and right shoulder pain (liver)
- Blood in the urine (kidney)
- Cold, sweaty skin (early signs of shock)
What happens if you get hit really hard in the stomach?
Most blows to the abdomen aren’t serious. But a severe blow can cause internal bleeding and shock, which can be life-threatening. Danger signs after someone has received a severe blow to the abdomen include the following: The abdomen is hard or tender, which can be a sign of internal bleeding.
Is a hard stomach normal?
If your stomach is feeling hard and swollen, it’s usually a side effect from certain foods or drinks. Sometimes, when accompanied by other symptoms, a hard stomach is an indication of an underlying condition. A hard, swollen stomach will usually go away after you stop consuming whatever food or drink triggered it.
