Bloating: Symptoms, Causes, And Home Remedies

Have you ever felt like there was a balloon in your stomach? Have you ever had to resort to taking pills for bloated stomach?

No matter how much we are embarrassed to admit it, we all have once been through the awkward, painful, and discomforting situation – bloating.

According to the Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, around 16% to 30% of people experience bloating in the USA.

What is bloating?

Bloating is usually described as a condition where your stomach feels tight and full (sometimes more than needed). This is often due to the accumulation of gas in the stomach. Some people also describe bloating as having a balloon in their belly.

Usually, bloating goes away naturally but sometimes it might require intervention from pills for bloated stomach. 

What are the symptoms of bloating?

  • You are farting and burping more than usual
  • Your tummy pains and you feel discomfort
  • Your tummy is making noises or rumbling
  • Your stomach feels bigger and fuller than usual

Severe bloating may also accompany some of the following symptoms:

  • Vomiting
  • Nausea
  • Heartburn 
  • Diarrhea
  • Blood in the stools
  • Constipation 

What are the causes of bloating?

  • Gas buildup

Gas buildup is among the most common causes of bloating. Its symptoms may entail nausea, frequent burping or farting, or a sudden urge to pass stool. Moreover, it can also cause moderate to intense pain in the abdomen and can sometimes be described as if there is something trapped inside the stomach.

  • Indigestion

Dyspepsia, commonly known as indigestion, is pain or discomfort that may accompany bloating. The majority of people suffer from indigestion time and again.

The causes of indigestion can include:

  • Drinking excessive alcohol
  • Eating too much
  • Minor stomach infection
  • Some medications

However, some serious causes of indigestion can also include stomach ulcers or stomach cancer, where indigestion can become frequent and requires the best pills for constipation or medical intervention.

  • Fluid retention

Your body may hold fluid more than it usually does because of changes in hormone levels, salty foods, and food intolerances. For example, women may experience temporary bloating right before or after periods or during pregnancy.

  • Constipation

Constipation is yet another common condition that can cause bloating. Food content builds up in constipation and leads to bloating. Constipation can be a result of: 

  • Food intolerance
  • Sedentary life
  • Dehydration
  • Genetics
  • Pregnancy
  • Nutrient deficiencies

In most cases, constipation can be relieved through constipation relief pills, exercise, drinking adequate water, or diet modifications.

6 home remedies to cure bloating

  • Watch what you consume

Some foods can help you reduce bloating by improving digestion, flushing out excess water, and reducing water retention, such as:

  • Fibrous food like broccoli, pears, avocados, etc., can help reduce bloating caused by poor digestion. However, note that eating too much fiber can lead to adverse effects.
  • Probiotics and prebiotics can enhance gut bacterial composition which helps improve digestion and reduce bloating. Consume foods like yogurt, onions, banana, sauerkraut, and kimchi.
  • Anti-inflammatory foods like celery, pineapple, walnuts, leafy vegetables, and blueberries can reduce inflammation in the digestive system and ultimately minimize bloating.
  • Herbs for bloating relief

Many herbs are known to inhibit carminative properties (expulsion of gas) and can help prevent bloating. 

For example, green tea and peppermint tea have flavonoids in them which prevent muscle issues and inflammation in the gut. They also provide heat to your digestive system, further addressing bloating and other culprits of a bloated stomach.

Other herbs that can deliver good respite from bloating include:

  • Dill
  • Chamomile
  • Basil
  • Fennel
  • Parsley
  • Caraway
  • Spearmint
  • Cumin
  • Reduce stress

The GI tract has nerves and when people become nervous or stressed, it triggers constipation, diarrhea, or bloating. Moreover, stress can also contribute to abdominal discomfort and spasms in the colon.

This is where muscle relaxation therapy can be helpful, for example, yoga and exercising. Also, you can take the best anti bloat pills to get faster relief.

  • Lifestyle changes

In the majority of cases, bloating and other digestive problems can be managed with lifestyle changes. 

Here are some common changes you should consider:

  • Avoid consuming carbonated drinks
  • Avoid chewing gum as it can cause you to swallow extra air, leading to bloating
  • Sometimes gaseous foods can also cause bloating, for example, dried beans and cabbage family
  • Do not drink through a straw and eat slowly to avoid taking extra air
  • Walk daily for 30-40 minutes
  • Do gas-relieving exercises 
  • Try natural bloating tablets for relief
  • Take pills for bloated stomach

Pills for bloated stomach can offer fast relief by helping move gas bubbles through the digestive system more efficiently. This way gas is removed easily out of the body.

Many diuretic tablets are also available that can help reduce bloating and puffiness. However, you should consult your healthcare provider before you take any of these pills.

  • Take a warm bath

A warm bath can truly provide a soothing relief and get faster relief when bloated. The heat from the bath relaxes the abdomen muscles and allows the built-up gas to pass out of the body easily. 

If you do not want to take a bath, there are other options like a hot towel or heating pad for this. However, make sure that the towel is allowed to cool down a bit before using as it might burn you.

This type of heat therapy along with best anti bloat pills will also improve overall digestion.

When to see a doctor?

You should consult your healthcare provider if you are bloating:

  • Continues for more than 7 days
  • Causes continuous pain
  • Intensifies gradually

If your bloating is also accompanied by other symptoms like the following, then medical intervention is a practical choice:

  • Progressing and worsening heartburn
  • Abdominal pain
  • Diarrhea
  • Very dark stools (tar-like)
  • Multiple times vomiting
  • Blood in stools
  • Sudden weight loss

The bottom line!

Bloating is a very common issue (and nothing to be ashamed of!). You can follow the above-mentioned tips and beat the bloat.

However, home remedies like walking, exercising, heat therapy, and others might take a bit of time to show the effects. You can take pills for bloated stomach if you need faster relief.

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