Table of Contents
Introduction
Bloating is a feeling of tightness and fluffiness in the abdomen. It occurs when the abdomen is filled with gas or fluids. Usually, bloating initially doesn’t cause any serious issues, except pain, but long-term bloating can cause disturbance in the body’s functions. In this blog, we’ll discuss its causes, symptoms and how you can avoid it or if it occurs, how you can counter it.
Causes
1. Swallowed Air
As air is also swallowed along with food and drinks, this air is trapped in the digestive track and causes bloating. Baked food (buns, bread, cakes etc) and carbonated drinks (cola, soda, energy drinks etc) have a largerer amount of gas in them.
2. Disturbed or Weak Digestion
Some people can’t digest a particular food like vegetables, fruits, grains, lentils etc. When that undigested or semi-digested food reaches the large intestine, gut bacteria start fermenting it, release gas in the process and cause bloating.
3. Gut Imbalance
The gut system contains a complicated ecosystem of good and bad bacteria. If this ecosystem gets imbalanced, it results in a higher rate of fermentation and releases a higher amount of gas.
4. Constipation
When stool stays in the colon for so long, it can ferment and produce gas.
5. Hormonal Disturbance
Hormonal disturbances due to the menstrual cycles in women can cause bloating.
6. Fluid Retention
Gas is a primary culprit as the cause of bloating but the collection of fluids in the abdomen can also contribute in this feeling. Fluid retention is the collection of fluids in the abdomen due to some hormonal disturbances and medical conditions.
7. Celiac Disease
Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease that triggers an immune response to a protein (gluten) that is found in rye, barley and wheat. Bloating is one of the symptoms of celiac disease.
8. Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome is a digestive disorder having symptoms like abdominal pain, diarrhea and bloating.
What Bloating Can Do
Usually, blotting is normal with No other symptoms but blotting with the following symptoms can be a sign of a serious disease:
- Unexplained weight loss or gain
- Persistent abdominal pain
- Blood in your stool
- Difficulty passing stool
- Vomiting
- Fever
If you experience any of the following symptoms, remember to consult a doctor for earlier diagnosis and treatment.
How to Counter
If you are having bloating without any other symptoms or disease, you can counter it by following these steps:
1. Avoid Triggers
- Monitor your diet to note what kind of food is triggering your bloating.
- Note the triggering food on a page and avoid it.
2. Chew Completely
- Chew your food until it doesn’t get chopped completely.
- Don’t talk during a meal.
- Don’t use a mobile phone or smart devices during a meal.
- Eat with full attention.
3. Fiber Up
Eat fiber-rich food like vegetables, fruits and whole grains but start this diet gradually, as a sudden change in diet can also cause bloating.
4. Be Hydrated Always
Drink plenty of water and organic juices because hydration is not only helpful to counter bloating but also a key factor in regulating other body functions.
5. Stress Management
Stress can disturb the whole body’s functions including digestive system so make sure to find out the proper solutions to your problems.
6. Take Probiotics
Take food with probiotics like yogurt, kefir and sauerkraut because probiotics help in the regulation of digestion and balancing of gut bacteria.
7. Herbal Solutions
Peppermint tea, turmeric, ginger, fennel seeds, mint etc are some of the herbal treatments for bloating.
8. Exercise
Exercise is the best solution for bloating when your abdomen is full of gas. That gas will be able to move when your body moves, otherwise it will be stuck into your body.
9. Smoking
Smoking disturbs the digestive system so avoid smoking.
10. Consult a Doctor
In case of any other symptoms along with the bloating, make sure to consult a doctor.
Disclaimer
This is informative blog, helpful in avoiding or countering bloating. In case of any medical problem, avoid self-medication and consult a doctor. Avoid copying any of our content or you may face plagiarism issues.
Additional Information
- If you’ve got any questions, feel free to leave a comment and we’ll answer surely.
- If you want to read more about bloating, click on the link below.