Do You Have To Put Up With Frequent Bloated Stomachs?
Aside from flatulence, bloating also includes other symptoms such as chest pain, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, bloody or darkened stools.
Others have difficulty in swallowing, burping or suffering from indigestion.
Stomach bloating also brings about breathing problems and the body can feel especially tired.
Bloating usually feels sharp causing the stomach to cramp.
Don't try to treat a bloated stomach by reaching for those pain killers
Instead, find a natural solution that works for you.
Soaking in a warm bath is very soothing or place a warm compress on the area either by using an old fashioned hot water bottle in a cosy cover or placing a heating pad there.
At the same time, rub some peppermint oil on the stomach area. An herbal tea infusion is also a good method to cure abdominal bloating and it is generally very effective.
Here are some tips to help you to avoid this pain and discomfort in the first place
1. While I am the first to encourage plenty of fresh vegetables and fruit in your diet, eating too many at once can cause a sudden increase in fiber and a bloated stomach. If you find this happens to you, ease up on these foods before gradually reintroducing them into your diet. Strike a happy medium between the veggies you eat that can cause bloating and gas, and the amount of fiber you need to avoid constipation.
2. Too much processed salt, whether at the table or through processed foods and salty snacks, can cause cells in the body to retain water, causing bloating. Avoid all processed salt and change to a 100% natural salt instead for a healthier alternative.
3. Too much alcohol, using contraceptive pills, being lactose intolerant and eating fatty foods can be further causes.
4. You may well find that moderating your milk and dairy products consumption helps because dairy is often an underlying cause of gas and bloating. You may be lactose intolerant if symptoms develop after consuming milk products. At the same time, consider going gluten-free. Many have found this to be the cause of their bloated stomachs.
5. Drinking plenty of pure, filtered water is a good way to keep the system clean and toxic free to help your intestinal tract stay healthy and your bowels regular. 8 glasses daily is usually ideal but note the color of your urine which should be the palest of yellow.
6. Sodas should always be avoided if you want optimum good health but if you are prone to bloated stomachs, coffee is a beverage you should cut out or cut down. Sodas, tea, coffee, energy drinks and even chocolate all contribute to belly bloat. The stimulants in caffeine causes the body to secrete hormones that cause bloating.
7. Exercise every day because this will help produce and release hormones that encourage regular and normal bowel activity.8. Changing to eating smaller meals but more often can often alleviate digestive problems including bloating and gas.
9. Some products include sorbitol (as a sweetener) which is not easily absorbed by your body so it stays in your intestines and produces gas. As little as 10 grams of sorbitol can cause you to feel bloated. Check the ingredients on the products you buy.
10. While fruit is a necessary part of a healthy diet, it can contribute to a bloated stomach if you eat too much in one sitting. The fructose in fruit metabolizes slowly and eating too much at once can cause it to ferment in your intestinal tract and lead to gas. Some experts say fruit should be eaten on an empty stomach.
11. Learn to slow down when you eat because eating too fast causes you to swallow surplus air which leads to gas. Limiting the amount of talking you do while eating can also stop gas!
If you find that, in spite of following these suggestions, nothing provides any relief from stomach bloating and its accompanying symptoms, consult a doctor for a thorough check up.
Sources
Celiac disease symptoms. (n.d.)
https://celiac.org/celiac-disease/understanding-celiac-disease-2/celiacdiseasesymptoms/. (Accessed, 7 October 2021).
Constipation expanded version. (n.d.)
https://www.fascrs.org/patients/disease-condition/constipation-expanded-version. (Accessed, 7 October 2021).
Dukowicz, A. C., Lacy, B. E., & Levine, G. M. (2007, February). Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. A Comprehensive Review. Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 3(2), 112–122
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3099351/. (Accessed, 7 October 2021).
Fox, J., & Foxx-Orenstein, A. (2012, December). Gastroparesis
http://patients.gi.org/topics/gastroparesis/. (Accessed, 7 October 2021).
Greenberger, N. J. (2018, May). Dyspepsia
https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/gastrointestinal-disorders/symptoms-of-gi-disorders/dyspepsia. (Accessed, 7 October 2021).
Greenberger, N. J. (2018, May). Gas-related complaints
https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/gastrointestinal-disorders/symptoms-of-gi-disorders/gas-related-complaints. (Accessed, 7 October 2021).
https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/hepatic-and-biliary-disorders/approach-to-the-patient-with-liver-disease/ascites. (Accessed, 7 October 2021).
Written by Jane Chitty
Jane writes for Healing Natural Oils, a producer and retailer of high-quality, all-natural treatments for a variety of conditions as well as a range of beauty products. Apart from writing about those various conditions, she also covers general health, environmental and other subjects of interest. She has lived in Kenya as well as Cape Town, South Africa and spent time in San Diego, USA. She now lives in Somerset, England with regular visits from her far-flung children and grandchildren. She is a keen gardener and enjoys growing fresh fruit and vegetables with her husband on their joint allotment. As a result, there is something available to use in the kitchen virtually all year round. Her regular posts can be found on our blog.