Bloating: causes, solutions and daily actions

 

If you've ever felt overly full and uncomfortable even though you haven't just eaten a huge meal, chances are you've experienced bloating. Bloating is extremely common and usually not serious, but it can be uncomfortable and irritating. Fortunately, there are ways to prevent and reduce it. Check out this gallery to learn all about bloating and some tips on how to prevent it.

What is it?

Have you ever felt overly full and uncomfortable, without knowing exactly why? It's likely that you're bloated. Bloating is very common, and there are several ways to relieve it.

Full or Large Stomach

There are several symptoms of bloating, but the main one is the feeling of a fuller or larger stomach than usual.

Painful or noisy stomach

You may also experience pain or discomfort in your stomach, or your stomach may gurgle or make more noise than usual.

Causes

Finally, if you're bloated, you may be passing more gas than usual. So much for the symptoms, but what exactly causes bloating?

Excessive gas

The most common cause of bloating is excess gas in the intestine. This phenomenon is often caused by certain foods and drinks.

Carbonated drinks

For example, carbonated drinks such as soda are known to cause bloating, as are certain vegetables. Swallowing air while eating can also cause bloating.

Digestive Problems

Certain digestive issues can also cause bloating. For example, if you suffer from constipation, celiac disease, or irritable bowel syndrome, you are more likely to experience bloating.

Bloating in Women

Women sometimes experience bloating around the time of their periods. Sometimes, however, persistent bloating can be a symptom of something more serious, such as ovarian cancer.

What to do?

Bloating can have many causes, but fortunately, there are also several remedies. Let's look at some of the steps you can take to reduce bloating.

Exercise

The first tip would be to exercise regularly to improve your digestion and prevent bloating. Exercise can also help relieve discomfort if you're already bloated.

Chew with your mouth closed

Now here's a tip for chewing: make sure you chew with your mouth closed. Not only is it more polite, but it will prevent you from swallowing air while chewing.

Drink water and eat plenty of fiber

Regarding your intake, it's important to drink plenty of water and eat plenty of fiber-rich foods if you're prone to constipation.

Eat smaller, more frequent meals

It may also be helpful to eat smaller, more frequent meals instead of large meals, and to massage your stomach from left to right to release trapped gas.

What to Avoid

Now you know what to do to combat bloating. But what about what not to do?

Carbonated Drinks and Caffeine

It's important not to drink too much carbonated drinks or drinks containing caffeine or alcohol (such as wine, coffee, or tea).

Certain foods

In addition, you should try to avoid foods known to cause gas, such as cabbage, beans, or dairy products. Overly processed, sugary, spicy, or fatty foods should also be avoided.

Eating Late at Night

Regarding mealtimes, it's best to avoid eating late at night. It's also important not to slouch while eating or drinking.

Intolerances

Finally, and this goes without saying, don't eat foods you have an intolerance to. Eating certain foods despite an intolerance is one of the main causes of bloating.

Ask for help

If you feel very uncomfortable due to bloating, your pharmacist can help.

Medications

For example, you can ask your pharmacist for laxatives to relieve constipation, or even medications like Buscopan to treat bloating itself.

Normally harmless

Bloating can be bothersome, but it's usually not serious. For most people, it passes quickly and doesn't interfere with daily life.

When to Seek Medical Attention?

However, there are certain circumstances in which you should consult your doctor. First and foremost, you should see a doctor if you've been feeling bloated for three weeks or more.

Prolonged bloating

You should also consult a doctor if you regularly feel bloated (i.e., more than 12 times a month) or if you have tried changing your diet but still feel bloated.

Bloating

Consult your doctor if you have swelling or a lump in your stomach, or if you have bloating accompanied by other symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, weight loss, or blood in your stool.

Discomfort with Movement

The last circumstance in which you should consult your doctor is if you find yourself unable to move properly or perform your daily activities due to bloating.

When to Call Emergency Services

There are also specific circumstances in which you should call emergency services or go to the emergency room. First and foremost, you should do so if you experience severe or sudden stomach pain.

Painful to the touch

You should also seek emergency medical help if you experience pain when touching your stomach, if you vomit blood, or if your vomit is the color of coffee.

In conclusion

Finally, you should go to the emergency room if your stools are bloody or black, or if you can't defecate. You should also go if you can't breathe or if you have chest pain.