What Is A Bloated Stomach
A bloated stomach is first and foremost a feeling of tightness, pressure or fullness in your belly. It may or may not be accompanied by a visibly distended abdomen. The feeling can range from mildly uncomfortable to intensely painful. It usually goes away after a while, but for some people, its a recurring problem. Digestive issues and hormone fluctuations can cause cyclical bloating. If your bloated stomach doesnt go away, you should seek medical care to determine the cause.
Eat At Regular Intervals
Many people experience bloating directly after a big meal. It is possible to avoid this by eating several smaller meals each day, which can help to keep the digestive system moving.
Swallowing food quickly can introduce air into the digestive tract. Drinking from a straw can also lead to people swallowing more air, which in turn leads to gas and bloating. People who have bloating should avoid using straws if possible and try eating slowly to avoid swallowing air during meals.
How To Get Rid Of Bloating: 8 Steps
May 26, 2022
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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Why Is My Stomach Bloated
The most common cause of stomach pain and bloating is excess intestinal gas. If you get a bloated stomach after eating, it may be a digestive issue. It might be as simple as eating too much too fast, or you could have a food intolerance or other condition that causes gas and digestive contents to build up. Your menstrual cycle is another common cause of temporary bloating. Sometimes a bloated stomach can indicate a more serious medical condition.
The Drink That Cures Bloating
One of the most uncomfortable things in the world is to be bloated. Walking around feeling like you’re pregnant, wishing for something like a bowel movement in hopes that it will help ease some of the discomfort. It sucks!
I know because I dealt with bloating for a long time. I thought it was something that I couldn’t get rid, I just had to deal with it. Then I started eating plant-based and incorporating this juice and now my bloat is gone!
For people suffering from any type of digestive issues this juice is like a miracle drink. Not only will it help rid the bloating and heal digestion problems, it will also assist in weight loss, lowering cholesterol and fight inflammation.
This incredible healing juice only contains one ingredient, which is celery! Celery juice is one of the best ways to hydrate your body. I learned this from the Medical Medium after we had him on the TV show I’m a producer for.
Celery juice is extremely alkalizing so it balances the body’s PH levels, which is key for optimal health. Consuming 14 16 oz of celery juice a day can work wonders! Drinking it on an empty stomach is extremely important for your body to absorb all the nutrients.
You don’t want to mix other foods or ingredients with this juice. Anything else in the stomach will change the effects of the celery. I like to have one first thing in the morning following it with this.
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When To Seek Medical Attention
If you’ve tried some of the natural remedies to get your digestive tract on track, but you’re not feeling any relief, it could be a medical condition that’s causing the bloating. A bloated stomach is one of the main symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease, including ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.
Other medical conditions can also cause gas and a bloated stomach, for example:
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Gastroesophageal reflux disease
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Gynecological problems like ovarian cysts and endometriosis
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Celiac disease
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Liver disease
If you experience bloating with other symptoms like severe pain, unexplained weight loss, diarrhea, or you have a relative with a history of colon cancer or gastrointestinal disease, you should seek medical attention urgently. There are tests like X-rays, ultrasound scans, blood tests, and colonoscopies that can help determine the reasons why you have a bloated belly. It’s important to know what the underlying cause is so you can explore treatments.
It’s important to discuss your stomach problems that don’t go away with your healthcare provider because you could have a serious medical condition and may need urgent attention.
Be Mindful Of Food Intolerances
Its important to be aware of any food allergies or intolerances that you may have, as these can contribute to bloating.
For example, lactose intolerance the inability to digest the natural sugar found in milk can cause symptoms like bloating, fullness, gas, stomach pain, and diarrhea .
Similarly, those with celiac disease a sensitivity to gluten may experience digestive issues like bloating after consuming gluten-containing foods like wheat, barley, and rye .
Additionally, people with irritable bowel syndrome are sometimes advised to limit foods high in fermentable oligo-, di-, mono-saccharides, and polyols , which are carbs that are poorly absorbed in the digestive tract, to reduce gastrointestinal symptoms .
Being aware of which foods trigger your symptoms can help you modify your diet to prevent issues like bloating. Try keeping a food and symptoms journal for a few weeks to identify when your symptoms may arise.
summary
Certain food intolerances can cause bloating and other digestive issues for some people. Identifying and avoiding triggering foods may limit your symptoms.
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Remedies And Treatments For Bloated Stomachs
While stomach bloating will often resolve on its own, the following measures may help reduce bloating or address its underlying causes:
Exercise and Posture
Physical exercise can help reduce bloating and clear gas from the body. Posture adjustment can also help. The body retains more gas when you are lying on your back, so try to stay active throughout the day.
Over-the-Counter Medication
Both simethicone and activated charcoal are marketed as gas-reducers. The two have proven ineffective and/or inconsistent when used on their own in clinical trials. However, there is some evidence to suggest that they may work when combined or when used with magnesium oxide or loperamide .
Probiotics
The use of probiotics to help with digestive issues is common but little studied. Still, there is some evidence that using probiotics can help reduce stomach bloating. The formula in VSL#3 proved to reduce bloating in both adults and children in clinical studies.
Digestive Enzymes
One common cause of stomach bloating is the inability to digest certain foods. Most digestive enzyme supplements are effective only for people who cannot produce enzymes for medical reasons. However, over-the-counter enzymes have proven to help with the digestion of two commonly problematic foods: dairy and legumes .
If you have a hard time digesting the sugars in these foods, you might benefit from lactase supplements for dairy or alpha-galactosidase supplements for legumes.
Herbal Remedies
Diet
Foods That Help With Bloating
A lot of people skip sipping on water when they are bloated, when in reality they should be doing the opposite. “People tend to think that when they’re holding on to water they should cut back drinking it, but that’s not the case,” says David Grotto, R.D., the author of 101 Foods That Could Save Your Life
The Best Things You Can Eat
. Retaining water is actually your body’s way of holding on to fluid so you don’t dehydrate.
If you’re having a bloating problem, that’s the time you want to push fluids, not restrict them, Grotto says. Since lemons are a natural diuretic and a gentle laxative when added to warm water, consuming lemon water can help reduce the amount of salt retained in the body and help with bloating. Just make sure you drink from the glass and not through a straw, so you don’t take in any extra air.
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Water Weight Vs Fat Loss
Bloating can be caused by several factors, including gastrointestinal issues, food intolerances, and increased water retention.
When it comes to decreasing water retention to alleviate bloating, its important to keep in mind that theres a difference between losing water weight and body fat.
While the strategies listed above can help decrease bloating associated with fluid retention, water weight loss is usually short term and temporary.
In fact, short-term fluctuations in body weight can easily amount to 2.24.4 pounds over just a few days or weeks .
Meanwhile, losing body fat is a slower process that involves making long-term changes to your diet and lifestyle.
For the best and most sustainable results, its generally recommended to aim for 12 pounds of weight loss per week, and to achieve it via a combination of diet and exercise .
Thus, if your goal is to lose body fat and not just water retention weight, you may need to look further than the suggestions found in this article. Stop by this article for helpful tips on how to lose belly fat.
summary
Water weight loss is short term and temporary. While losing water weight can help decrease bloating, long-term fat loss can only be achieved through dietary and exercise modifications.
Foods To Reduce Bloating
There are several anti-bloating foods that you may already have at home or can easily find at the grocery store. There might not be a quick fix but sipping this debloating tea and adding some of these foods to your diet is going to make a long-term difference.
Many of us are lacking in fiber in our meals. According to the Mayo Clinic, Women should try to eat at least 21 to 25 grams of fiber a day, while men should aim for 30 to 38 grams a day. Often its easy to overlook potassium-rich foods. Thats unfortunate because potassium-rich foods help reduce bloating that may come from preprepared foods made with excess sodium.
Acquaint yourself with everything your produce aisle has to offer. You may need to avoid certain vegetables, for a time that cause discomfort. The good news is that there are so many other options that help aid in digestion!
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Foods To Avoid Or Enjoy In Moderation
Everyones body is different but there are specific foods that are known to cause bloating in many people. Fatty meals, especially those made with poor quality fats, while tasty can be a culprit. Thats why its great to add some sauerkraut, kombucha, or another fermented food to aid in digestion.
If you are experiencing chronic discomfort, even healthy foods like broccoli or white onions that normal circumstances are great for you, maybe ones you need to avoid until you pinpoint what foods are causing the bloating.
If boating is a consistent issue you may have to look at your eating habits to see what foods, may be triggering it. Sometimes our eating habits have to be modified to get ourselves feeling like our best selves.
- artificial sweeteners and sugar alcohols
- dairy products
- deep breathing
- drink lots of water
If you pay attention to what you are eating and how you are eating that should help you hone in on what your bloating triggers are. Remember to stay hydrated and be active to keep your digestion moving along smoothly. And the next time a bloated belly hits, I encourage you to drink this debloat tea so you can feel better quickly.
You can also pair it with the Stomach Soother Massage Oil for a double-whammy relief treatment.
Outlook For Ovarian Cancer
The earlier ovarian cancer is diagnosed and treated, the better the chance of a cure.
But often it’s not recognised until it’s already spread and a cure is not possible.
Even after successful treatment, there’s a high chance the cancer will come back within the next few years.
If it does come back, it cannot usually be cured. But chemotherapy may help reduce the symptoms and keep the cancer under control for several months or years.
Overall, around half of women with ovarian cancer will live for at least 5 years after diagnosis, and about 1 in 3 will live at least 10 years.
Cancer Research UK has more information about the survival statistics for ovarian cancer.
Page last reviewed: 10 February 2020 Next review due: 10 February 2023
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But Plain Water Might Actually Be Your Best Bet
Sure, guzzling glass after glass of regular water sounds, well, boring, but when it comes to the battle of the bloat, there’s no beating plain old H2O. It seems counter-intuitive, but if you feel like you’re retaining water, you’ll actually want to drink more water, not less.
“People tend to think that when they’re holding on to water they should cut back drinking it, but that’s not the case,” says registered dietitian David Grotto, who explained to Fitness magazine that our bodies actually hold on to fluids when they’re not getting enough of them, so if you’re feeling bloated, drinking water is a great way to help your body release fluids instead of trapping them in.
Nothing is better than plain water to keep you well-hydrated, and WebMD recommends getting at least 6-8 cups in per day. But you’ll actually want to avoid sparkling waters or seltzer the bubbles in carbonated drinks expand inside your stomach, leading to that uncomfortably full and bloated feeling.
Drinks With High Sodium Levels
Shop bought vegetable juices and canned soups might be marketed as healthy, but this isnt always the case.
Theyre often packed with sodium which is a big offender when it comes to bloating.
While it still isnt understood why exactly sodium causes bloating, a contributing factor could be that it causes water retention.13
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Take A Warm Bath Soaking And Relaxing
The heat of the bath can provide relief for a sore abdomen. Relaxation can reduce stress levels, which may allow the GI tract to function more effectively and help reduce bloating.
Quick fixes are not always effective for some causes of bloating. However, people who have frequent bloating may find that certain lifestyle changes can tackle the causes and reduce bloating over time.
People can use these simple steps to try to prevent bloating in the long-term:
Common Questions About Buscopan
Buscopan relieves stomach cramps and period pains by helping your digestive system and bladder relax.
It does this by reducing the wave-like contractions of the muscle in the walls of the stomach, bowel and bladder.
Buscopan helps to treat stomach cramps and period pains, but does not cure them.
Buscopan tablets start to work within 15 minutes. Talk to your pharmacist or doctor if your symptoms do not improve within 2 weeks.
Do not take Buscopan for longer than 2 weeks unless your doctor tells you to.
Talk to your doctor if your symptoms change, get worse or have not improved after 2 weeks. Your doctor will want to rule out an illness that may be causing your symptoms.
Buscopan is safe to take for a long time as long as you get advice from your doctor, you take the recommended dose and you’re not having any side effects.
Buscopan Cramps and Buscopan IBS Relief are essentially identical.
The tablets in each contain the same active ingredient and in the same strength .
But the 2 products are marketed differently.
Buscopan Cramps is targeted at stomach cramps. It can also be used to relieve period pain and the cramping pains some people get with IBS. It’s only available from behind the pharmacy counter, and can be taken by adults and children over the age of 6 years.
Buscopan IBS Relief is available from most pharmacies and supermarkets.
Buscopan Cramps is only available from behind the pharmacy counter.
There are other IBS remedies, including peppermint oil and mebeverine .
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Add Lemons Or The Fruit Of Your Choice For A Flavor Mix
If you get bored with plain water, you can infuse it with fruit for a hit of flavor. Lemon is a great choice, according to Redbook magazine. “Bitter foods like lemon help stimulate your body’s GI juices and aid the start of the digestion process,” says Frank Lipman, M.D., founder of Eleven Eleven Wellness Center in New York City. “When digestion is robust, your body breaks down food better and absorbs more of its nutrients …”
Steer Clear Of Sugar Alcohols
Sugar alcohols are a type of carb found naturally in certain fruits and vegetables. Theyre used as a low calorie sweetener in many processed foods.
Because theyre not fully digested by the body, they can cause digestive issues like gas, diarrhea, bloating, and stomach pain among some people .
Sugar alcohols are found in many processed foods like gum, granola bars, sugar-free candies, and soft drinks under names like xylitol, sorbitol, and maltitol. Thus, reducing your intake of these foods may minimize digestive side effects like bloating.
summary
Sugar alcohols are not fully digested by your body and can cause digestive issues like bloating among some people. Avoiding foods with these ingredients may reduce these issues.
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