If you have ever experienced long periods of bloating, you are probably familiar with how uncomfortable it can be and the distress it can cause if it doesn’t pass by quickly enough.
Well, we are here to help you avoid bloating as much as possible by understanding why it happens, when it is likely to happen, and how to avoid it happening in the future.
What is bloating?
Bloating takes place in your stomach and occurs when your gastrointestinal (GI) tract is filled with gas or air. The GI tract runs through your entire body, starting at the mouth all the way down to the anus. It possesses your entire digestive system. Bloating causes you to feel like you’ve just eaten an entire meal and have no space left in your stomach, leaving it feeling very tight and full. It can feel extremely uncomfortable, even painful and it can make your stomach look a lot bigger than usual.
What are the main symptoms of bloating?
The most common symptoms of bloating are increased discomfort, stomach pain and gas. This may cause you to belch or burp more often or experience abdominal rumbling more frequently.
There are more severe symptoms of extreme bloating, such as:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Blood in stool
- Worsened heartburn
- Diarrhea
- Noticeable weight loss
If you do notice any of these symptoms, then get in touch with your GP immediately.
What are the main causes of bloating?
As we said before, bloating happens when the GI tract is filled with too much gas or air. This can occur simply because of the food you eat, as some foods produce more gas than others. Bloating can also be caused by lactose intolerance (issues with dairy) and other foods your stomach may be intolerant or more sensitive to. The other instances where bloating can occur are:
- Overeating
- Weight gain
- Menstruation (in some women)
- Constipation
- Swallowing air (whilst smoking, chewing gum or eating too fast)
What are the best ways to prevent or avoid bloating?
There are a number of simple ways to avoid or prevent bloating:
- One of the best ways to avoid bloating is to avoid foods that are known to cause gas, such as beans, lentils, brussel sprouts and cabbage.
- Reduces the chance of extra air entering your digestive system through your esophagus by avoiding chewing gum or using straws while drinking.
- Eat more foods that are high in fiber to prevent constipation, and incorporate more foods that improve digestion into your diet.
- Be conscious of the speed you are eating. The slower you eat, the more time your body has to digest the food and you are less likely to experience bloating.
If you are experiencing ongoing bloating and you are ready for a change, get in touch with us for a free, expert consultation. We also offer food intolerance tests that may help in discovering the reason for your bloating or other digestive issues you may be experiencing.
