Bloating is a major inconvenience; if it’s not permanent (itself a real happiness killer) then it can come on, present itself at the most inconvenient time and give no indication of how long it’ll stay for. It’s horrible for any female’s confidence, and means we feel uncomfortable, unable to fit into certain clothes, and without the physical and mental energy to get on with our daily lives. There are certain things, however, that are more likely to bring it on and more likely to make it stay for longer. Here are some ways you can actively reduce bloating.
1 – Try eating smaller meals. One of the reasons that bloating happens is because the body gets overloaded with a sudden intake, including gas. It may be that your body cannot metabolise this as quickly as needed, and so the food and drink effectively just sit there until they’re broken down. Smaller, more frequent meals ensure you don’t overload your belly.
2 – Look at your eating habits. A lot of people with bloating find it’s because they shovel food down quickly, eat with their mouths open or eat ‘one the move’. Try ensuring that you eat at a regular, dedicated time so that you’re likely to be sat down and relaxed. Eat more slowly and with your mouth closed; this means you’re less likely to take in air that will cause bloating.
3 – Stay hydrated. Taking on plenty of fluids ensures that your body absorbs more toxins that are flushed out more often. In addition to this, get more fibre into your diet to keep the digestive system working regularly and smoothly. A lack of hydration and a diet with not enough fibre are the two main reasons for constipation, which is often accompanied by bloating.
4 – Consider whether any food or drink cause bloating more often. Certain vegetables and carbonated drinks are fine for some people, but they cause methane production in others that will manifest itself as a ‘gassy’ feeling, along with flatulence or a grumbling sensation in the stomach. Often, what is thought to be simple indigestion is a signal of a larger problem.
5 – Massage the stomach. Sometimes, the problem of bloating can be traced back to trapped wind or a gut blockage. Given that the digestive system moves typically from left to right, the general advice from doctors is to try massaging the gut from left to right to help any trapped gas along. In addition, it’s possible to use gravity to do the hard work and try laying on one’s right-hand side. This then lets any gas move through the digestive system and out through the usual channels.
6 – Lastly, if bloating is constant and won’t go away despite all of the above, it is worth speaking to a doctor as it may be the sign of a deeper routed problem. In a worst-case scenario, it can be a symptom of ovarian or bowel cancer, but this is very rare. It’s more likely to be coeliac disease, irritable bowel disorder or one of the other many digestive disorders out there. In any case, long lasting indigestion and bloating are not normal and should be looked into by a medical professional.
Bloating is a sign that there is something wrong, be it diet, overeating, digestive health or overall body health. The good news, however, is that it is a symptom and not a disorder in itself. That means that when bloating does come on, something can be done in order to combat it and get to the root of whatever deeper problem is causing it.
