What To Do For Bloated Stomach And Gas

How To Prevent Bloating

Typically, the first line of treatment for preventing gas and bloating is changing your diet. Research has shown that a low fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols diet can reduce the symptoms of gas and IBS. A low FODMAP diet avoids fermentable, gas-producing food ingredients, such as:

• Oligosaccharides, which are found in wheat, onions, garlic, legumes and beans
• Disaccharides, such as lactose in milk, yogurt and ice cream
• Monosaccharides, including fructose , apples and pears
• Polyols or sugar alcohols found in foods such as apricots, nectarines, plums and cauliflower, as well as many chewing gums and candies

In people sensitive to FODMAP-rich foods, the small intestine doesn’t always fully absorb these carbohydrates, and instead passes them to the colon, where they are fermented by bacteria and produce gas. To see if some of the FODMAP foods are causing your gas and bloating you can start by cutting out FODMAP foods and then slowly bringing them back into your diet one at a time to pinpoint any foods that are causing the problems.

In the long run, the key to preventing bloating is understanding its cause. If mild constipation is the problem, a fiber-rich diet, water and exercise may help, but these steps wont always work for chronic constipation. Chronic constipation and other conditions, such as IBS or gastroparesis, require medical treatment, so its important to talk to your doctor about your bloating symptoms.

Other Reasons For Bloating

There are also functional reasons that can cause bloating: You may have low levels of digestive enzymes, bile, or gastric juices which prevents efficient breakdown of your food.

The more undigested food that ends up in your intestines, the more gas and bloating you will experience. Digestive enzyme supplements can help these issues and as for increasing your stomach acids, your best bet is to limit the use of antacids.

An imbalanced gut microbiome can also influence digestive function and health. Undigested foods that make it to your gut will be broken down by bacteria, but not always the beneficial ones.

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SIBO, or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, is a similar problem that commonly causes gas, burping, acid reflux, and bloating. SIBO can result from a lack of stomach acid or when the resident bacteria grow out of balance.

Probiotics can help to regenerate a healthy balance, but you also need to avoid foods that trigger disruptions in the digestive tract.

It Could Be Constipation

While youre spending a lot of time at home, you may not be moving as much as you usually do. You may also be eating different foods. This can lead to constipation. You may be constipated if you experience:

• Fewer bowel movements than normal for you
• Stool that is lumpy or looks like pebbles
• Difficulty passing stool or a feeling that you still need to go after youre finished

Fortunately, you can make a number of at-home changes to help relieve your constipation. These include:

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How To Soar To Self

One of the herbs shown to have carminative effects is ginger, the subject of a review published in April 2015 in the journal European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Studies. It found that ginger helps speed digestion, which is important because if your stomach empties faster, gases can move more quickly into your small intestine to relieve discomfort and bloating.

Additionally, a study published in April 2015 in the Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine found that in people with functional dyspepsia, a condition of chronic or recurring pain in your upper abdomen, ginger combined with artichoke extract stimulated gastric emptying.

Other herbs and spices that may provide gas relief include:

• Chamomile
• Peppermint
• Spearmint

A combination of caraway and peppermint oils is the active ingredient in FDgard, a nonprescription formulation designed to help manage functional dyspepsia some doctors recommend it for gas and bloating.

Lemond notes that you should always get approval from your doctor before taking an herbal supplement. She suggests trying to gain the benefit of carminatives from the food you eat rather than by taking supplements, which she says should be taken with caution. “Some people think of herbal supplements as natural or straight from the earth, so they may be taken at will, but a lot of them have pharmaceutical effects and could interact with medication.”

How Is Bloating Diagnosed

Your doctor can generally diagnose the cause of your bloating through a physical exam in the office. They will ask you questions about your symptoms. They will want to know if your bloating is occasional or if it occurs all the time.

Temporary bloating is usually not serious. If it happens all the time, your doctor may order other tests. These could include an imaging test to look inside your abdomen. This could be an X-ray or CT scan.

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Video Answer: What Causes Stomach Bloating After Eating And How To

Its a mystery that has puzzled gastroenterologists for years. Why do they see so many patients who complain of bloating,diarrhoea and stomach pain after eating foods such as bread and pasta, but who test negative for coeliac disease? And more importantly why do many appear to get better when they switch to a gluten-free diet?

If you feel bloated after eating, this could be due to your habit of eating too fast. It is easy to fix the issue though just eat more slowly. Your brain receives satiety signals about 20 minutes after you eat your food, which means you will be able to eat less if you eat slowly.

If you experience stomach bloating after eating very little, maybe its what you drink rather than what you eat. Fizzy or carbonated drinks cause carbon dioxide to build up in the body, inflating your stomach, resulting in gas immediately after eating. The best drink to combat this is water. Just still water, not sparkling though.

Most digestive gas is air. It is a result of swallowing air when eating, drinking and talking. This is known as aerophagia. Mouth breathers tend to swallow more air and this may be due to a blocked nose or respiratory problems.

How To Avoid Your Dog Developing Colic

If your dog does have trapped wind and your vet cannot seem to pinpoint a medical reason, there may be some lifestyle changes that you can implement that will ease their symptoms.

• Give your dog a high-quality, balanced diet but dont make the change immediately, as that will cause more stomach issues. Gradually introduce the amended food on a 90/10 basis in favor of their old meal, gradually increasing the ratio of new food over a period of two weeks.
• Discuss the possibility of dietary supplements with a vet. You may be able to add something to your dogs diet that will help keep their digestive tract in tip-top shape, especially as they start to grow a little older.
• Make sure that your dog is not munching on table scraps, raiding the trashcan, consuming potentially toxic or irritable plant life, or eating too many high-sugar treats.
• Ensure that your dog is drinking fresh, clean water regularly. Tap water should be fine, but Fido will never complain if you are prepared to offer bottled mineral water instead.
• Keep up-to-date with worming your pet, and be sure to check them for any signs of infestation. That doesnt necessarily mean rifling through Fidos poop with a flashlight just watch out for symptoms such as bloody diarrhea, regular dragging or scratching of the bottom, and lethargy alongside a bloated stomach.

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Check For Lactose Intolerance

Lactose is a sugar found in milk.

Your body needs an enzyme called lactase to break down lactose. However, most people dont produce enough of this enzyme to break down lactose once they reach adulthood. The resulting condition is called lactose intolerance (

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• Increasing your fiber intake. Aim for 1830 grams per day of both soluble and insoluble fiber from whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds.
• Drinking adequate fluids. Drink 68.5 cups per day of water and other fluids.
• Exercising regularly. Walking, jogging, swimming, or bicycling for about 30 minutes each day may help keep your bowels moving regularly.

Keep in mind that you may need to increase your soluble fiber intake with caution, as this type of fiber is fermented in your colon and may contribute to bloated feelings .

Additionally, adding fiber to your diet too rapidly may worsen constipation, so its important to increase your intake slowly. Aim for an intake of 25 grams per day for women and 38 grams per day for men .

While constipation may be relieved with medication, certain types like bulk and osmotic laxatives may make bloating worse, so talk with your doctor about your symptoms to determine whats best for you .

Summary

Constipation may cause or exacerbate symptoms of bloating. Increased fiber and fluid intake, as well as physical activity, are effective natural treatments.

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Home Remedies: Gas Belching And Bloating

Bloating, burping and passing gas are natural and are usually caused by swallowed air or the breakdown of food through digestion. You may experience gas and gas pains only occasionally or repeatedly in a single day. When gas and gas pains interfere with your daily activities, there may be something wrong. Find out how to reduce or avoid gas and gas pains, and when you may need to see your doctor.

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Can Gas And Bloating Cause Headaches

It is possible that excessive gastrointestinal gas makes its way to your head and cause headaches.

Headaches provoked by abdominal bloating are mainly bought on by leguminous foods, such as beans, which are difficult to digest and are known to produce excessive gas that has nowhere to go. If your headache is set off by flatulence, it will automatically subside when the stomach bloating comes down.

What Causes Excessive Gas And Bloating

Excessive gas and bloating can come from eating certain foods that are more difficult to digest. For some people, these can include high-fiber foods like leafy greens and beans. There are also some medical conditions that can affect GI function and cause increased gas and bloating for some people after eating certain foods.

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Look At Supplements And Medications

Some supplements, such as iron, can cause constipation and other symptoms of indigestion. This can increase bloating. Potassium, on the other hand, may reduce bloating by helping to balance the bodys sodium levels .

Medications may also cause side effects that affect GI function or cause indigestion. If this happens, a doctor or pharmacist can suggest alternatives that are more gentle on the digestive tract.

Although it is not common, bloating and swelling of the abdomen can signify a severe medical condition. Liver disease, inflammatory bowel disease, heart failure, kidney problems, and some types of cancer can cause bloating.

Bloating that continues for days or weeks may indicate a health issue that needs medical attention. It is advisable to speak to a doctor about ongoing bloating that does not go away over time.

People whose bloating occurs alongside these symptoms should seek medical advice:

• appetite changes or trouble eating
• bright red blood in the stool
• black or dark maroon stools

When Should You See A Healthcare Provider For Bloating

Bloating is rarely a sign of a serious medical problem. However, bloating that is long-term and doesn’t respond to changes in eating habits or OTC treatments can sometimes be associated with certain diseases and conditions such as:

• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Kidney or heart failure

If you notice you’re frequently bloated or that you become bloated after eating certain foods, you may want to make an appointment to see your healthcare provider. Try to note what triggers your bloating and bring these notes to your appointment.

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Can Dogs Get Colic

Yes, Just like humans young and old, dogs can experience trapped wind. Thankfully, this is usually not quite such as worrying or dangerous as something like GVD though also just like in humans, Colic can still be very, very painful for your poor pooch.

Firstly, remember that your dog cant tell you when they are in pain so youre going to have to vigilant about learning the signals. Canines will usually communicate this through their body, so brush up on what tail positions mean it could help you administer some doggy first aid sooner rather than later.

Other symptoms of Colic in dogs include:

• Pained body language
• Restlessness and pacing
• Fatigue, listlessness, and depression
• Bloated abdomen

Keep an eye out for any of these symptoms, and read on to learn how you can soothe your dogs discomfort.

Carom Seeds Reduce Gas

Ajwain water is a great natural remedy to curb gas. The seeds contain essential oils that stimulate the salivary glands, which helps in the better digestion of food and prevents the formation of excess gas.

How to use:

Add 1 teaspoon of carrom seeds to a cup of water and allow it to soak overnight. Strain the tea and consume it in the morning.

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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.

Possible Reasons For Bloating And Distension Include:

• Too much gas in the intestine
• Abnormal levels of bacteria in the small intestine
• Imbalance of microorganisms that usually live in the bowel sometimes the result of taking antibiotics
• Food intolerance
• Increased perception and sensitivity to what is happening in the digestive tract
• Increased curvature of the lumbar region of the spine , which decreases the capacity of the abdomen to hold gas

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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?

Always Have A Bloated Stomach Here Are 10 Reasons Why

By Jillian Levy, CHHC

• Other Tips

Stomach bloating is so common these days that its been called an epidemic. If you frequently deal with distention, digestive discomfort and a bloated stomach, you probably want to know: Why do I feel bloated all the time?

With most peoples poor diets, high levels of stress, need for daily medications and exposure to various pollutants, its no wonder they suffer some sort of bloating more days than not.

While a bloated stomach is certainly uncomfortable even embarrassing when it comes along with gas or the need to run to the bathroom it might be an even bigger deal than you think. Below well look closer at reasons you may deal with an inflated belly, plus discuss bloated stomach remedies, such as foods to focus on and those to avoid.

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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.

Lemon And Baking Soda Ease Digestion

Baking soda contains flavonoids that aid digestion by neutralizing the excess stomach acid. However, it is important to use it in moderation, as excessive baking soda can render the stomach acids ineffective.

How to use:

Mix ½ teaspoon of baking soda and 1 teaspoon of lime juice in a cup of water and consume.

Note: This remedy is not scientifically proven but has been shown to alleviate the symptoms of gas.

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Does Quitting Smoking Cause Bloating

Quitting smoking can leave you with a bloated stomach and constipation. Nicotine stimulates intestinal transit and aids bowel movements, and habitual smokers often develop nicotine dependency.

A distended abdomen can be a withdrawal symptom of quitting smoking, which can take a month or two to subside. In the meantime, increase your fluid intake and eat a fiber-rich diet to encourage better digestion.