Bloating

Bloating is a common issue worldwide, and everyone can have it occasionally. It may be mild or cause very annoying symptoms.

Bloating

Bloating occurs when there is a feeling of fullness or pressure in the stomach or abdomen, which usually leads to a distended abdomen, but sometimes, bloating can occur without a visible swollen belly.

Causes of bloating

• The most common cause of bloating is gas, which is a natural byproduct of digestion. Most gas production comes from the fermentation that happens as a result of digesting carbohydrates by the gut bacteria. If there is more fermentation than usual, this might be due to the following reasons: carbohydrate malabsorption (especially while digesting wheat and legumes), small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), digestive disorder (like irritable bowel syndrome and indigestion), and visceral hypersensitivity (it means that certain people are more sensitive than others and may feel bloated even with normal gas content).
• Digestive issues, like constipation, bowel obstruction, motility disorder, and gaining weight because extra weight usually goes to the abdomen first, and that may affect the normal digestive process.
• Hormones can cause bloating before and during the menstrual period because they cause fluid retention and the volume of the uterus increases.
• Other causes include ascites, pancreatic insufficiency, gastritis, and stomach, colon, pancreatic, ovarian, or uterine cancers.

Treatment of bloating

• Herbal teas, like peppermint, chamomile, ginger, turmeric, and fennel.
• Certain medications, like anti-flatulence drugs and antacids.
• Probiotics.
• Exercising.
• Magnesium supplements have shown benefits in relaxing the intestine muscles and neutralizing the stomach acid.

Prevention of bloating

• Drinking enough water and eating enough fiber.
• Exercising regularly.
• Avoid foods that you know cause bloating for you.
• Avoiding processed foods.
• Eating slowly and chewing food properly before swallowing.