Share |

Stomach Bloating Natural Remedies

By Diane Hanson

Life is unfair. Bloating seems to affect women more than men, and nobody knows what really causes it. A large meal can make your belly bloat and look bigger than normal, but did you know that stomach bloating can also occur for a variety of reasons? And, what can you do if you feel bloated?

Possible Causes of Abdominal Bloating and Home Remedies to Stop Bloating

Pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS)

Stomach bloating should normally disappear or greatly improve once your menstruation actually starts.

However, you can take supplements containing the B-complex vitamins as well as magnesium and calcium to reduce bloating. For instant relief of bloating, take an over-the-counter gas remedy such as Gas X or Phazyme, which contain simethicone.

You can also try Charcoal Plus, which contains activated charcoal. Both compounds break up gas bubbles fast.

Contraceptive pills

If you want to reduce bloating, try a pill (such as Yasmin or Yaz) with drospirenone, a progestin shown to help prevent water retention.

Gas-producing foods

What you eat may result in abdominal bloating. If you love anything with cream or milk (think heavy cream, ice cream, cream cheese omelet, etc), beans (all types), Brussels sprouts, onions, celery and carrots, watch out. These foods may be the worst offenders in causing gas.

Other gas-producing foods include raisins, apricots, prune juice, wheat-based products (such as breads containing rye, or barley), and fizzy drinks.

Carbonated drinks such as soda pop and spritzers contribute to bloating because the carbon dioxide trapped in the bubbles creates gas, making your tummy bloat.

One way to help you stop belly bloating is to record down what you eat in a food journal. That way, you can identify the foods that cause stomach bloating and cut back or avoid those foods.

Stimulants

Alcohol, coffee, tea and chocolate can also over stimulate your digestive tract and may cause gas to build up, resulting in bloatedness.

In addition, fatty foods can delay stomach emptying and contribute to bloating as well.

For immediate relief of stomach bloating, herbal teas such as chamomile tea, ginger tea, and peppermint tea are extremely helpful. They improve digestion naturally without side effects.

Salt

Even a small amount of excess sodium in your diet can cause your stomach to balloon up, make you feel uncomfortably tight in your clothes. So make sure to reduce salt intake, and that include easing on junk and processed foods such as chips, deli meats, canned soups, and sauces.

Water intake

If you think drinking too much water bloats you, think again. In fact, drinking more water (the recommended 8-10 glasses daily) can help to flush excess sodium out of your body, and reduce stomach bloating.

Chewing gum

The gum itself does not have anything that are associated with bloating but when you chew, you're swallowing air that goes right into your belly, which encourages stomach bloat.

Sugarless gum or candies can make bloating even worse because certain artificial sweeteners, such as sorbitol, maltitol, mannitol, xylitol and other sugar alcohols, can increase bloating.

If you do’t find relief from natural home remedies, and still experience severe or chronic bloating for no apparent reason, seek medical attention. Persistent bloating with pain could indicate serious digestive disorders, such as obstructions in the bowel or kidney, diverticulitis, appendicitis, gallstones, ulcers or a tumor.

Do Fruits Give You Gas?

Are fruits and vegetables making you gassy and feeling bloated? Learn what are the worst gas-producing foods and natural home remedies to relieve flatulence and bloating fast.

5 Best Collagen Producing Foods

Why pay for collagen face creams when you can boost collagen production naturally from the inside out. Find out what are the best food sources of collagen.

Relieve Menstrual Cramps Fast

Beat period pain and discomfort of menstrual cramps using natural home remedies and natural cures.

7 Bad Habits that Make Your Digestion Poor

Having digestion problems? Find out what bad habits can ruin your digestive system, and what you can do to improve bad digestion.

3 Best Chinese Home Remedies for Water Retention

What are good natural diuretics for water retention, other than barley? Find easy-to-make, pleasant-tasting soup/drink recipes to get rid of fluid retention fast.