How To Take Away Bloated Stomach

How Long Does A Bloated Stomach Last

If your bloating is due to something you ate or drank or to hormone fluctuations, it should begin to ease within a few hours to days. If you are constipated, it wont go down until you start pooping. Water, exercise and herbal teas can help encourage all of these things along. If it doesnt go away or gets worse, seek medical attention.

How To Reduce Bloating

The best bloated stomach remedies depend on whats causing your bloating. Common causes include trapped wind, indigestion, food intolerances, irritable bowel syndrome , constipation and hormonal changes like the menopause. Read more about the causes of a bloated stomach.

Find below the many self-care measures you can try at home to relieve bloating.

These Steps Will Show You How To Reduce Bloating

When you’re trying to ease the pressure off of your bloated tum , you’ll want to rely on these digestion-promoting methods to help you reduce bloating in just 24 hours. Here, we help you identify which habits and foods can help reduce bloating and rev up your metabolism along the way.

Hopefully, after you follow a few of our 25 tips on how to reduce bloating there will be minimal instances of trying to squeeze into your favorite pair of jeans.

Don’t Miss: What To Do When Your Stomach Hurts At Night

Over The Counter Treatments Available

Over-the-counter medications can be an effective way of treating the signs of gas, bloating and trapped wind. Amcal stock a wide range of laxatives, suppositories, fibre supplements, and more to help you find relief and improve your digestive health.

Charcoal can absorb gas that has collected in the bowel and bind substances together to move them out of the body. Our Charcocaps are a natural way to help reduce flatulence and ease related symptoms. You can also shop Mintec Peppermint Oil capsules for IBS Relief to help relieve abdominal cramps, wind and bloating.

We have capsules for flatulence, including De-Gas, Gasbusters and Dulcogas dissolvable crystals with Simethicone to decrease gas bubbles. If constipation is a problem, we have a selection of fibre supplements to help move things along, including Normacol, Senokot tablets, and Movicol powder for kids and adults. For a natural solution, try Prunelax in gel or tablet form to help you maintain regular bowel movements.

We also stock Lacteeze tablets to replace lactase enzymes in the body and relieve bloating, wind, cramping, and diarrhoea associated with dairy intolerance.

How Do You Get Rid Of A Stomach Ache In 5 Minutes

Over the counter medical treatment

• For gas-related pain, OTC medication like Mylanta, Gas-X can help get rid of gas and bloating.
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease can cause stomach ache and burning sensation , an antacid or acid reducer like Pepcid AC or Zantac 75 can help.
• For constipation, a mild OTC stool softener or laxative can help relieve constipation in most cases.
• Abdominal cramps can occur due to diarrhea. Medicines like Pepto-Bismol, which contain loperamide or bismuth subsalicylate, can help reduce diarrhea and cramps.
• Pain relievers, such as Paracetamol, Ibuprofen, can help reduce the abdominal pain and the pain of cramps caused due to several conditions. It may be combined with anti-cramping medications.

Lifestyle and home remedies:

Anti-inflammatory foods:

Eating foods that have anti-inflammatory properties can reduce abdominal pain. These foods include blueberries, squash, cherries, capsicum, tomatoes, cold-water fish that are high in omega-3 fatty acids, beans, green leafy vegetables, and almonds. These foods also improve overall body health. Itâs advised to incorporate these foods in the diet throughout the year, instead of just during the periods. Sugary food, fried and fatty foods, white bread or pasta, alcohol, caffeine, and tobacco can increase cramps.

Herbs to reduce cramps:

You May Like: How To Tighten Stretch Marks On Stomach

Remedies For Belly Fat

While a simple diet change helps get rid of bloat, belly fat takes a bit more work. Try for at least 30 minutes of exercise each day. Following a healthy diet filled with lean meats, fruits, vegetables, and lots of water can also help shed those pounds. It is important to remember that everyone gains and loses weight differently, so be sure talk to your doctor about what fits best for you.

Read Also: What Food Makes Your Stomach Feel Better

What Naturally Reduces Bloating

Here are additional suggestions to decrease bloating: Eat slowly, and consume smaller, more frequent meals. Chew your foods well. Drink beverages at room temperature. Have your dentures checked for a good fit. Increase physical activity during the day. Sit up straight after eating. Take a stroll after eating.

Don’t Miss: How To Help Anxious Stomach

Get More Active Every Day

Exercise helps your body move stool and gas out of the colon and may make bowel movements more regular. Exercise also releases extra sodium from the body through sweating, which can help to relieve water retention.

It is vital to drink plenty of water before and after exercising to stay hydrated, as dehydration can make constipation worse.

Foods To Avoid If Youre Feeling Bloated

We all have gas in our bodies, but some people experience uncomfortable amounts of it, making them look and feel bloated. Bloating is usually caused by three main conditions: swallowing excess air, eating certain foods, and having bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine. While there’s no universal cause or treatment for bloating, people often find that cutting out certain foods and implementing a specialized diet can bring immense relief.

Also Check: What Medication Do You Take For Stomach Ulcers

How Is Heartburn Diagnosed

Often all that a health-care professional requires is a thorough history and physical to make the preliminary diagnosis of heartburn. To evaluate if there is any damage and how severe your heartburn is, the doctor my suggest some of the following tests:

• Endoscopy: A flexible scope is passed down the esophagus to examine the esophagus as well as the stomach. Biopsies can be taken if indicated. This lets the doctor see if there is any obvious damage, and also eliminate other reasons for the patients symptoms .
• Upper GI series : After drinking a liquid that coats the inside of the digestive tract, X-rays are taken. These X-rays will show the outline of the digestive system.
• Ambulatory pH testing: This test measures the acidity in the esophagus via a small tube that goes through the nose into the stomach.

Read Also: What To Give Toddler For Stomach Bug

Sip Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar also helps promote a healthy gut and digestive system by increasing stomach acid and aiding your bodys ability to absorb key nutrients. Because of its high acidity, apple cider vinegar can cause indigestion and damage the teeth and throat it is best when diluted and used in small amounts.

Also Check: How To Get Flat Stomach Naturally

How To Get Rid Of A Bloated Stomach

One of the most effective bloated stomach remedies is improving your diet, since the foods you eat play a huge part in regulating how much air and poop is trapped inside your digestive tract.

To keep things flowing smoothly, you want to make sure to eat a high-fiber diet, aiming for about 2530 grams every day or even more.

This isnt too difficult when you eat plenty of whole foods, including veggies, fruits, nuts, seeds, legumes and ancient grains. It can certainly help you to track your symptoms after eating certain foods known to cause bloating, but remember that a bloated stomach is caused by your entire lifestyle, not just the food on your plate.

Some of the best foods for helping to battle stomach bloating include:

Now that you know what you should eat, lets look at some of the foods that might make your bloating even worse. More often than not, some of these foods might be the culprit:

Take Time To Meditate

The older, wiser, less-bendy sister of yoga, meditation is an amazing activity that people can reap major rewards from. A 2014 study in Eating Behaviorsfound that individuals who meditate are less likely to overeat or give in to emotional eatingand this is key if you want to stay on track with your anti-bloat plan over the next day. To get started, unroll a yoga mat or sit on a carpet in a sunny room and take five uninterrupted minutes thinking about something that you’re grateful for.

Read Also: How To Soothe Baby Stomach Ache

How Common Is Stomach Bloating

Between 10% and 25% of otherwise healthy people complain of occasional abdominal bloating. As many as 75% describe their symptoms as moderate to severe. About 10% say they experience it regularly. Among those diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome , it may be as much as 90%. Up to 75% of women experience bloating before and during their period. Only 50% of people who experience bloating also report a distended abdomen.

Prevention And Relief From Abdominal Bloating

• Avoid consuming gas-producing foods like cabbage, beans, and carbonated drinks.
• Avoid swallowing air while eating or drinking.
• Do not smoke.
• Do not eat more than your stomach can take.
• Treat constipation as it is one of the main culprits behind stomach bloating.
• Exercise regularly and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
• Practise yoga mudras that can help ease digestion and gas problems such as Vayu mudra.

Most cases of abdominal bloating are not of much concern. But in some cases, stomach bloating can have severe side effects on your health and can even be a symptom of a more serious underlying medical condition.

Recommended Reading: How To Heal An Inflamed Esophagus And Stomach

Calm Your Mind And Body

When we are in pain, we tend to get anxious. Unfortunately, anxiety brings with it a heightened state of physical arousal that can make our pain worse. Taking a few minutes to calm down can be quite effective.

Relaxation exercises are a way to break the cycle of anxiety and pain. They offer a way to âturn offâ the state of heightened physical arousal. Of course, they work better with regular practice, but can still offer some benefits for immediate pain relief.

Three basic types of exercises are visualization, deep breathing, and muscle relaxation. With a little experimentation, you can decide which work best for you.

Why Do I Get A Bloated Belly In The First Place

According to medical nutritionist Dr Sarah Brewer, bloating can be caused by:

• Eating more food in one go than you’re used to
• Eating too quickly
• Eating rich foods that are high in fat
• Functronal disorders of the gut for example, the reduced production of stomach acid and enzymes, bile or pancreatic juices, which can occur during times of stress
• Conditions such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Know that your cycle may be at play, as well. ‘Bloating may also increase around the time of your period, she says.

A constant bloated stomach that doesn’t calm down could be a warning sign of something more serious: head to your GP if you’re concerned

You May Like: What To Stop Eating To Lose Stomach Fat

Rule Out Food Allergies And Intolerances To Common Foods

Food allergies and intolerances are relatively common.

When you eat foods that you are intolerant to, it can cause excess gas production, bloating and other symptoms.

Here are some common foods and ingredients to consider:

• Lactose: Lactose intolerance is associated with many digestive symptoms, including bloating. Lactose is the main carbohydrate in milk (
• 14 ).

Both lactose and fructose are a part of a larger group of indigestible carbs or fiber known as FODMAPs. FODMAP intolerance is one of the most common causes of bloating and abdominal pain.

If you strongly suspect that you have a food allergy or intolerance, see a doctor.

Summary

Food allergies and intolerances are common causes of bloating. Common offenders include lactose, fructose, wheat, gluten and eggs.

How Does It Work

Some people believe that following the BRAT diet can provide several benefits for those with an upset stomach and diarrhea. The apparent benefits include:

• Firmer stools. The foods in the diet are starchy and low in fiber, which may cause loose and runny stools to bind more easily.
• Gentle on the stomach. The foods are low in fat and protein, meaning that they are unlikely to irritate the stomach and put stress on the digestive system.
• Reduced nausea. Due to their bland flavor and lack of strong smells, BRAT foods do not tend to cause nausea or vomiting.

However, these foods do not have varied enough nutrients to warrant the long-term use of this diet.

You May Like: How Can You Neutralize Stomach Acid

You May Like: What Can Cause Stomach Pain And Bloating

Does Laying On Your Stomach Reduce Bloating

When the stomach empties faster, gas is able to move more quickly into your small intestine and cause less distress. Although many people who are experiencing gas or bloating feel better when they go horizontal, its actually better to stay upright. Simply lying down often provides relief from bloating, Palmer says.

When To See A Doctor

Although Gasnick suggests that bulging abdominal muscles caused by incorrect breathing during exercise are usually more aesthetically unappealing rather than actually painful, there are instances when this condition can actually be something more serious.

For example, Marko suggests that you should see a medical doctor if you:

• experience pain in your abdominal wall
• feel it hurts when moving or lifting something
• feel you cant control your midsection during everyday activities

Similarly, Gasnick adds that youll also want to contact a doctor if the pain in your abdominal area is spreading to the areas of the lower back, groin, buttocks, and legs, and is accompanied by increased heart rate, lightheadedness, confusion, nausea, anxiety, and vomiting.

These could be warning signs of an abdominal aortic aneurysm, she adds, which is a very serious and potentially life threatening condition if rupture occurs.

You May Like: Can You Get Stomach Cancer From Smoking

How Do I Debloat My Stomach

From the best foods to eat to reduce gas to new activities to try, these ideas will get your digestion back on track as quickly as possible. Eat potassium-rich foods. And asparagus. Go for a walk. Try dandelion root tea. Take an Epsom salt bath. Get out your foam roller. Consider taking a magnesium pill.

Dont Multitask When Eating

Im almost never just eating a mealIm also on my computer or watching television or scrolling through my phone, admits Lindsey Metrus, Byrdies senior editor. After a lifetime of bloat, she decided to try traditional Chinese medicine to ward off some of her discomfort. It turns out, the distraction was part of the problem. Multitasking with some sort of digital distraction leads to overeating or scarfing down food hurriedly, which translates to poor digestion. Its also one of the main reasons people face spleen qi deficiency, according to Emma Suttie, D.Ac., AP.

Metrus continues, I made it a point to enjoy as many meals as I could peacefully and undistracted, focusing on chewing each piece of food since breaking down foods before they get to the spleen means the spleen has less work to do. Not only will chewing slowly encourage healthier digestion and, in turn, less bloat, but it will also speed up your metabolism .

Read Also: Why Do Salads Give Me Diarrhea

Read Also: How Can I Burn Stomach Fat Fast

Does Drinking Water Help With Bloating

While it may seem counterintuitive, drinking water may help to reduce bloat by ridding the body of excess sodium, Fullenweider says. Another tip: Be sure to drink plenty of water before your meal too. This step offers the same bloat-minimizing effect and can also prevent overeating, according to the Mayo Clinic.

When To Contact A Medical Professional

Get medical help right away or call your local emergency number if you:

• Are currently being treated for cancer
• Are unable to pass stool, especially if you are also vomiting
• Are vomiting blood or have blood in your stool
• Have chest, neck, or shoulder pain
• Have sudden, sharp abdominal pain
• Have pain in, or between, your shoulder blades with nausea
• Have tenderness in your belly, or your belly is rigid and hard to the touch
• Are pregnant or could be pregnant
• Had a recent injury to your abdomen
• Have difficulty breathing

Recommended Reading: How To Prevent Stomach Ulcers

Read Also: What Will Help With Stomach Pain

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.”