You Live A Sedentary Lifestyle
Diet and lifestyle also play a role. A sedentary lifestyle is linked to having higher amounts of that hard-belly visceral fat . Women are more likely to store fat as subcutaneous fat than visceral fat, though they start storing visceral fat when they reach menopause.
There are many ways to get started moving moreeven getting up and walking around more frequently during the day matters. If you want a gym routine and don’t really know where to start, try this total body workout.
Dont Have Dinner Late
Eating too late at night can make you feel bloated. And no one likes to go to bed on a full stomach. Not to mention the strain on your digestive system! And it can lead to weight gain.
Thats one thing I like about Intermittent Fastingwith my 4 to 5-hour window of eating from 11:30 am to 4 pm ish, theres no late-night eating for me. Learn all about Intermittent Fasting here.
Hard Stomach: Causes And Effective Natural Treatments That Really Work
Jenny Hills, Nutritionist and Medical Writer Health
Bloating around the abdominal region can cause a hard stomach. Some people experience that the area around their stomach becomes hard and rigid after eating or if they have issues digesting food. Usually, the bloating and feeling of tightness in the stomach goes away after passing gas, having a bowel movement, or taking natural remedies to relieve bloating. However, some serious medical conditions can cause your stomach to become hard and bloated.
Apart from causing abdominal discomfort, a hard, rigid stomach can cause embarrassment. Some women say that their stomachs become so stiff and swollen that others think they are pregnant. Of course, pregnancy is one reason for having a larger stomach. But, if your hard stomach is because of a digestive problem, there are many effective home remedies to help you get relief.
This article looks at the different reasons you can experience a hard stomach and what you can do to relieve the bloating.
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What Are Some Other Ways To Avoid Bloat
Eating the right foods is a great way to keep bloat at bay, but its not the only thing that can help.
Eat slowly
For starters, how you eat is just as important as what you eat. When you eat quickly, you swallow more air, which contributes to bloating, explains Cassetty. To combat this, make an effort to eat slowly and chew foods more thoroughly. Remember, its a marathon, not a race.
Limit FODMAPS
Its also important to limit your intake of carbohydrates known as FODMAPS, which arent well digested and get fermented, thereby producing excess gas and bloating. Examples of high-FODMAP foods are dried fruit, cauliflower, kale, and milk. People with IBS are especially vulnerable to bloating when they consume these foods, but some of these carbohydrates can cause bloating even in people who dont have IBS, Cassetty says. Sugar alcohols, for example, which are found in sugar-free candies and gum, are hard for most people to digest.
Limit processed foods
Try to keep your consumption of processed foods to a minimum, and instead focus on whole and minimally processed foods. Its important to eat a range of plant foods, including a half plate of fruits or veggies at all of your meals, Cassetty advises. This strategy helps you reduce your sodium intake and boost your potassium intake, which can help minimize bloating from water retention. Its also a good strategy for increasing your fiber intake.
Keep the fizzy stuff to a minimum
Working With A Doctor
It is important to speak openly and honestly with your physician to express a clear picture of your experiences and symptoms. FGIDs present special challenges when communicating, specifically because of their vague symptoms and sensitive subject matter.
There isnt a diagnostic test for bloating or distension however your doctor may run some tests to rule out underlying problems or associated disorders.
For more information about GI tests and how to prepare for them, see our website www.aboutGIMotility.org or see IFFGD publications #111 or #510.
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How Do You Get Rid Of Gas Quickly
Here are some quick ways to expel trapped gas, either by burping or passing gas.
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Natural And Other Remedies For Gas
Two products on the market can help with food-related gas and bloating. Both products are packaged forms of the enzymes needed to break down the problematic carbohydrates. Lactase, found in products such as Dairy Ease and Lactaid, can be taken with dairy foods to help break down lactose and lessen gas. Beano helps digest the indigestible carbohydrate in beans and other gas-producing vegetables.
Natural remedies for gas include:
- Peppermint tea
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Side Effects Of Abdominal Bloating
Some of the side effects and complications of a bloated abdomen that call for immediate medical attention include:
- A pain or pressure in the chest
- Breathing difficulty
- Vomiting blood or some black substance
- Severe and intolerable abdominal pain
- Rapid pulse
- Signs of jaundice such as yellow skin or eyes
If you experience any of the above-mentioned side effects, visit your doctor immediately. This is because it can have a serious impact on your health if left unattended for too long. However, for mild to moderate cases you can go ahead and try out these effective home remedies for bloated stomach. And yes, do let us know if this article helped you by posting in the comments section below.
Belly Bloat Cause #: Eating Too Much Fiber
“Many women make drastic changes to their diet when it’s bikini season,” says Tamara Duker Freuman, R.D., a nutritionist in New York City who specializes in digestive disorders. “If you’re used to lower-fiber meals and you suddenly start eating a lot of fruit, salads, and bran cereals, you’re going to be significantly bloated.” That’s because you don’t have the right bacteria in your gut to help digest the increased amount of fiber. We all have trillions of bacteria in our intestines, which help us process the food that our stomach and intestines have a hard time breaking down, Dr. Quigley says. “When undigested food reaches your colon, bacteria feed on it and produce gas,” he explains. The type of bacteria that’s in your gut is determined in part by what you eat, and some sorts produce more gas than others. Without the right kind, fibrous foods, which are typically slower to digest, linger in the gut even longer, giving bacteria plenty of time to munch away and create gas. Not only that, but “everything from energy bars to yogurt is fortified with fiber these days,” says Joy Bauer, R.D., author of The Joy Fit Club: Cookbook, Diet Plan, and Inspiration. “It’s a problem because they typically contain large amounts of inulin, a fermentable fiber that may cause gas and bloating when consumed in large quantities.”
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More Reasons To Lose Your Belly Fat
While a small amount of jiggly, subcutaneous fat is harmless, most people who have lots of subcutaneous fat also have lots of hard, visceral fat. A high amount of visceral fat has been associated with a number of health risks, including cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. These increased risks occur because visceral fat is thought to secrete high levels of a molecule that has been linked to inflammation and insulin resistance, according to research from Washington University at St. Louis.
Here’s the surprise for many men: The health risks associated with stomach fat are present even if you’re not overweight. According to a 2015 study in the Annals of Internal Medicine, people with a “beer gut” who were otherwise at a healthy weight still had a higher risk of dying of heart disease than people who did not have excess belly fat.
Home Remedies For Bloating
Home Remedies
That feeling when your jeans just dont fit like they did last weekwomen know it well. Being more prone to bloating than men, women are likely to experience several of these days each month around the time Mother Nature arrives for her monthly visit. Although bloating is normal, the feeling is still unpleasant. Thankfully, there are some easy at-home remedies for reducing bloating.
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Other Serious Causes Behind Bloating And Gas
There can be other causes of gas that are related to more pressing concerns, so you should always discuss problems with bloating and gas with your doctor if they come on suddenly, are extreme or very painful, result in weight loss, cause severe diarrhea or constipation, or lead to a disruption in your life. Some more serious concerns behind bloating include:
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Colon Cancer
You Are Drinking Too Much Soda
Those bubbles in soda and other drinks like beer, champagne, or seltzer are filled with gas. When you drink them, they can fill up your digestive system. You may burp some of it away, but once the gas reaches your intestines, it stays until you pass it. And most sodas are full of sugar, which can make you hold on to water and feel bloated.
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What Can Be Done
Over-the-counter medications or a prescription from your doctor might help. Look for a medication containing alpha-D-galactosidase. It has an enzyme that breaks down indigestible sugars in vegetables and beans.
Tablets or capsules containing simethicone can also help alleviate symptoms of upper abdominal bloating. If youre a tobacco user, its a good reason to quit because it has been linked to heartburn, bloating, and other digestive problems. Fortunately, bloating is a very common affliction, and most people can find a remedy at the pharmacy. Other measures, such as a change in diet, the frequency and times between meals and a change in habits are all youll need to do to avoid bloating.
When to Worry
Usually, temporary bloating is very common and nothing to worry about. However, if the condition persists on a regular basis, or bathroom problems are a constant battle, there might be more serious medical conditions causing your discomfort, so youll need to consult your physician. There could be a physical obstruction in the stomach or small intestines, and if diagnosed by your health care provider, may need to be surgically corrected. Many people already know that gas-inducing foods can cause gas, but what most people dont suspect is an underlying chronic disease or cancer that could also be the cause.
Why Do You Get A Bloated Stomach
Bloat sneaks up on you in surprising ways, depending on what you eat, certain habits you have, and even specific medical conditions. For example, bloating can be a result of digestive distress from eating certain foods , eating habits that cause you to take in more air, and even certain conditions such as a weak heart or being pregnant can all contribute to water retention.
Women can also retain water while they’re menstruating. Those who have irritable bowel syndrome can also experience uncomfortable bouts of bloating after eating foods that contain FODMAPS or during moments of stress.
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Questions To Ask Your Doctor
- Do I need a test to diagnose lactose intolerance?
- Why do certain foods cause my bloating when they never used to?
- What can I do if I have diabetesand my medicine or artificial sweeteners cause bloating?
- Could my bloating be a sign of something more serious?
- What kind of tests will I need?
- What kind of over-the-counter medicine can I try?
Eat Slowly So You Dont Gulp Air
When you finally get home after a long day, youre totally famishedwe get it. But that doesnt mean you should scarf down your dinner in a hurry. Eating too quickly causes you to swallow excess air, which can lead to uncomfortable gas and bloating. Slowing down the chewing with your mouth closed, on the other hand, can have the opposite effect. Fight off the urge to engorge your entire meal by snacking on something like a small piece of fruit or an ounce of nuts before dinner is ready.
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Medications And Other Therapies
Some medications and other treatments have been found to help ease the symptoms of bloating and distension. Your doctor may talk to you about some of these options, depending on your symptoms and other health related considerations.
Antispasmodics: These can relax the muscles of the bowel and provide relief. Examples include dicyclomine and hyoscyamine in the United States and otilonium bromide or pinaverium bromide available in Latin America and some countries in Europe and Asia and a combination of pinaverium bromide with simethicone in some Latin America countries.
Probiotics: These dietary supplements contain live bacteria that help balance out the existing bacteria of the intestines. Some that include a relatively low level of probiotic bacteria are available over the counter or in yogurt varieties. Other options include Bifidobacterium infantis 35624 for individuals with irritable bowel syndrome in general, and Bifidobacterium animalis DN-0173 10 for patients with IBS with constipation .
Rifaximin: This antibiotic is only slightly absorbed and can be used for short periods of time. Usually it is used to lessen bloating in people with IBS whose symptoms do not include constipation, or in those with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth.
Other options: Medications that increase fluid content in stools, lubiprostone or linaclotide for example, may also be used.
What Can Cause Bloating After Menopause
Unfortunately bloating is not only a concern during menopause years but can continue to get worse as you age, even after your hormones have had time to stabilize. While diet and lifestyle can still cause bloating issues after menopause, there are other things that may be the culprit for your bloating.
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When Should I Be Worried About Abdominal Bloating
See your healthcare provider if your bloated stomach:
- Gets progressively worse.
- Persists for more than a week.
- Is persistently painful.
- Comes with symptoms of illness, such as fever, vomiting or bleeding.
A note from Cleveland Clinic
A bloated stomach is not a pleasant feeling. While its a common experience and usually temporary, you may become weary of the cycle. Spending a little focused attention on the problem to identify the cause can be well worthwhile. Try recording your symptoms and possible triggers in a journal. Note diet, hormonal and stress factors. When in doubt bring your notes to a specialist for professional guidance. The different factors that contribute to bloating can be complex and difficult to parse, but medical testing can help. As always, seek medical attention if your symptoms are persistent or severe.
Hard Stomach When To See A Doctor
In most cases, having a hard and bloated stomach is just a temporary discomfort that passes. Very often, home remedies help to get quick relief from the causes of a hard stomach. However, sometimes, a distended stomach is a sign of a more serious health condition.
Doctors from the Mayo Clinic say that you should visit a health care professional for bloating if you also have the following symptoms:19
- Severe pain along with a hard and bloated stomach
- Blood in your stools
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What Should I Eat When Bloated
Bloating can be caused by several different factors, but if you want to reduce bloating, food choices can help.
Bloating usually happens when your digestive system is out of whack and having trouble digesting certain types of food.
The following list includes nutritious foods that promote healthy digestion:
- Ginger
- Raw carrots
- Lean meats, including chicken and turkey
Ginger has traditionally been used for thousands of years because it helps stimulate gastric juices, which help with the breakdown and absorption of nutrients from our food!
Drinking ginger tea before meals can help reduce tummy bloat.
How Can I Prevent Stomach Bloating
If your stomach bloating is caused by diet or alcohol, you can help prevent it by making some lifestyle changes. Some good general guidelines include:
If the cause of your bloated stomach is something more specific, such as specific food intolerance, perimenopause or a medical condition, you might need a little help with diagnosis, treatment and prevention. Some options include:
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Eat Ginger Or Drink Ginger Tea
Ginger has been used for centuries to cure all kinds of basic ailments. Two compounds called gingerols and shogaols found in this root reduce inflammation in your gut and send a strong message to the muscles in your intestines to chill out. There are a few different ways to effectively get ginger in your system, but unfortunately, those sugary ginger chews arent one of them.
Instead, cut a few very thin slices of ginger and steep them in boiling water for 10 minutes. You can add honey and a squeeze of lemon to make it tasty before you sip on it. You can even chew on little pieces of raw ginger for a quick fix if you dont mind the taste. Powdered ginger root, which you can take daily as a supplement, is also an option.
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