Is your stomach feeling a little larger than usual? Jeans feeling a little tight? Have the need to loosen your belt a bit? This excess air in the abdominal region feels quite uncomfortable. Luckily, you can use a variety of home remedies for bloating to treat typical symptoms and discomfort.
bloating Home Remedies for Bloating
What is Bloating?
Bloating is any abnormal swelling or increase in diameter that affects the abdominal region. One of the main complaints of someone suffering from bloating is a stomach that feels full and tight. A common cause of bloating is when the digestive system is unable to process all of the food you have eaten. Certain ingredients in undigested food will ferment in the intestines, which provide food for the kind of bacteria that produces excess gas.
Causes and Symptoms
The amount of gas contained in various foods is one of the main causes of bloating. A diet high in salt or gas-producing foods (such as beans) can also lead to bloating. Many people tend to think that consuming certain food and drinks is the only cause of bloating, but there are other factors that play a role, including:
- Swallowed Air: When swallowed air is not expelled, it passes through the digestive tract and is released as a ‘fart.’ If you excessively swallow air, you may suffer hiccups. Chewing gum and smoking can cause some people to inhale more air than expected. Also, avoid talking while chewing your food.
- Constipation: Some people (including younger kids) suffer bloating as a result of constipation.
- Medication: Bloating and gas is a side effect of some prescription and over-the-counter medications, including dietary supplements. For example, calcium supplements have been known to cause gas in some people.
- Medical Conditions: Certain medical conditions can cause bloating, including an obstructed bowel and Crohn’s disease.
- Hormone Levels: Changes in hormone levels can cause bloating, which commonly affects women, especially when it comes to their menstrual cycle. Right before they experience a ‘period,’ the body often retains fluid.
Symptoms of bloating include excessive gas production, expanded stomach, a stomach that feels ‘hard,’ passing gas with an unpleasant smell, general discomfort, abdominal pain, and changes in gut size.
Bloat Home Remedies
A gassy, bloated feeling is never fun and can really put a damper on your everyday activities. At night, a bloated stomach can keep you awake. When you’re out of over-the-counter options, there are plenty of household alternatives. To alleviate discomfort and soothe the abdominal region, consider some of the following home remedies for bloating:
Peppermint Tea:
Sip a cup of peppermint tea to ease symptoms of bloating, as peppermint helps relax the muscles and allows painful digestive gas to pass.
Clove Oil:
It is thought that clove can relax the smooth muscle lining of the digestive tract. A cup of clove tea can provide relief from gas and bloating.
Lots of Fiber:
To solve constipation associated with bloating, a diet that is high in fiber can help push food along the intestinal tract.
Drink Soda:
If you drink carbonated water or soda, the belching that results can help alleviate excess gas in your digestive system.
Yoga:
Some yoga positions have proven helpful for relieving gas. Try lying on your back, while folding your knees close to your stomach. Hold on tightly with your hands.
Tea:
Certain kinds of tea can help relieve gas, such as chamomile tea. Other selections that are beneficial for someone fighting bloat include peppermint and ginger.
Light Exercise:
To relieve bloating, get your system moving with a good workout session. Try popping in an aerobics DVD, doing a few jumping jacks, or hitting the treadmill to help ease a gassy, bloated feeling.
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner:
Avoid bloating by not skipping meals throughout the day.
Water:
Drinking at least eight glasses of water per day can help prevent and treat a case of bloating.
Be Careful with Dairy:
If you are lactose intolerant, beware of hidden dairy, which can cause bloating.
Avoid Certain Vegetables:
Veggies that belong in the cabbage and onion family should be avoided when you suffer from bloating. This includes garlic and broccoli.
Avoid Seeds:
When eating fruits and vegetables, choose produce that is seedless. Peel the skins if you are bloated. For tomatoes, strain out the seeds.
Fennel Seeds:
Ease symptoms of bloating and gas by adding one teaspoon of teaspoon of fennel seeds to a cup of boiling water. Let the mixture sit for 10 minutes, and then drink. Some people chew fennel seeds after eating a meal to aid in digestion.
Basil Leaves:
Chewing fresh basil leaves can alleviate heartburn symptoms, as well as sooth nausea associated with bloating.
Bay Leaves:
Place a bay leaf in a cup of boiling water to treat bloating symptoms. Let the liquid sit for at least five minutes, and then drink the concoction in one sitting. Avoid lying down for at least one hour after drinking the remedy. Gas is alleviated when you stay in an upright position.
Ginger Tea:
To treat the symptoms of bloating, sip a cup of ginger tea to soothe the digestive system.
Cinnamon:
Drink boiled water with an added one teaspoon of ground cinnamon to ease bloating.
Be Aware of Sugarless Products:
The natural sugar sorbitol that is found in diet sodas, sugarless gums and sugar-free candies is hard to digest – increasing your chances of suffering gas and bloating.
Chocolate Danger:
When fighting bloat, do not reach for chocolate (which contains both gas-producing dairy and sugar) to comfort yourself – it could only worsen your symptoms.
Take a Walk:
To eliminate excess gas from your system, go for a walk to help ease your symptoms of bloating.
0 comments:
Post a Comment