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Intercostal retractions occur when the muscles between the ribs pull inward. The movement is most often a sign that the person has a breathing problem. Intercostal retractions are a medical emergency.
Causes of Abdominal Distension. The common causes of abdominal distension are usually gas, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and constipation. Other causes could be fibroids, ascites or intra-abdominal bleeding. Less common causes could be cysts, tumors and neoplasms.