Bloated stomach – Most Common Things To Know?
We know that talking about feeling gassy and bloated can be a bit embarrassing, but without a doubt it is the most common and normal symptom that almost 10%-25% of healthy people complain about and as many as 75% describe their symptoms as moderate to severe. With that being said, if this symptom worsens and remains ongoing it is time that you consult some professional help. But let’s try to find out what it means to be bloated and ways to relax and de-bloat.
What is a bloated stomach? Is that common?
The first symptom of a bloated stomach is a feeling of tightness, pressure, and fullness of belly. Sometimes, this feeling can cause belching (passing off gas). This feeling can arouse from an increased amount of gas in the GI tract. For some people, it’s recurring and the intensity of pain varies from moderate to severe.
Why is there gas in my stomach?
Primarily, there can be gas in your intestines because of two simple reasons:
Swallowing air
Everyone swallows some air when they eat, drink or chew gum. People who have anxiety, chronic post-nasal drip, or wear dentures may swallow more air than other people. Therefore, Gas in your GI tract can come from the air that you swallow.
Eating food
It can also be caused from the food you eat, such as carbonated beverages, which contains carbon dioxide and different kinds of sugar that small intestine cannot digest well. Eating too much food too fast or eating food that create gas (example beans, vegetables and other high fiber food) or, fatty foods can be a root cause of bloating for you.
Excessive gas and bloating? This might be the reason.
However, lactose intolerance, gluten intolerance, indigestion, constipation, menstrual period, pregnancy, and smoking can be the push factor. In rare cases, People who have intestinal disorders such as IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), IBD (inflammatory bowel disease) and SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth or abdominal adhesion due to prior surgery(s) in the abdominal and pelvic region can experience bloating and gassiness.
How long does a bloated stomach last?
how long does a bloated stomach last. If your bloating is due to something you ate/drank then rest assured you should be at ease within few hours to days. However, water, exercise and herbal teas can help you along the path.
What can you do to relive bloated stomach
If you are trying to de-bloat and reduce gas, then look no further you are at the right place. In the long term what will bring you relief will depend on the cause of your distress. But, Lucky for you there are plenty of home remedies, preventive checks and over the counter medicines available for you.
First, let’s focus on the preventive checks
- The number one rule is to eat enough fiber, at first it will cause more gas, but once it starts sweeping through your digestive system it will help you to clean out fecal matter stuck in there.
- Second, drink enough water, this will increase motility along the digestive tract and will help you to prevent the fecal matter from getting hard.
- Third, get some exercise, as it will help in water retention and bowel movement.
- Fourth, avoid eating processed food as it contains huge amount of fat and salt which causes gases. Eliminating foods like carbonated drinks and foods that gives you gas will help you miles.
- Lastly, start eating smaller portions and eat slowly. Now start kicking off your gas free life with some mindful eating!
Certain treatment options
If you are looking to relieve your bloating, try:
- Drinking herbal tea with peppermint, ginger, and turmeric which can aid digestion and help with gas.
- Taking antacids to relieve inflammation which can help you to pass gas easily.
- Taking magnesium supplements to neutralize stomach acid and relax intestinal muscles.
- Drink some Probiotics as it will supplement and re-balance your gut bacteria.
Conclusion
Now you know that feeling gassy and bloated is very common and if you are feeling so, altering your diet and eating habits can go a long way. It’s important for you to ask and not shy away because sometimes your body needs a proper medical intervention to relieve from the symptoms of your condition. As there are well defined circumstances in which you should immediately seek medical attention, you should always have the contact of a good physician in hand. This is because bloating is not rare and neither are its symptoms. Some severe symptoms for which you should not delay even a second to see the doctor are; rectal bleeding, pain in the chest, anxiety, fever, dizziness, breathlessness, continuous vomiting etc.