Bloating doesn’t feel nice: it makes your tummy tight and full because there’s excess air somewhere in your gastrointestinal tract. Learn about the home remedies to get rid of bloating here.
Why Does Bloating Happen?
Bloating commonly occurs because of excess air in the digestive tract. In many cases, it is accompanied by belching or burping, which is the body’s way to get rid of excess air. You can acquire excess air through:
- Talking
- Eating
- Sucking on hard candies or chewing gums
- Drinking carbonated beverages
- Smoking
Some conditions, like gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD, may also trigger bloating due to increased swallowing.
What Are The Home Remedies for Bloating?
Do you feel bloated? Try the following remedies at home:
Walk a Little
Walking or doing other forms of physical activity helps move the bowels, which might help release the excess air. You don’t have to walk long distances – a block or two is usually enough.
Enjoy Your Mealtimes
Did you know that one of the home remedies for bloating is to take your time in eating meals?
When you eat too fast, you tend to swallow air, so enjoy your meals and eat slowly. Try not to eat when you’re on the run or stressed. Eating on those occasions may make you eat too fast without you even knowing it.
Stop with the Candies and Gum (At Least for Now)
Another of the home remedies for bloating is to stop sucking on hard candies and chewing gum, at least until your issue is resolved. Candies and gums usually make you swallow more, and part of what you’re swallowing is air.
Note: If you’re prone to bloating, it’s best to avoid eating candy and gum altogether.
Skip on the Foods that Cause Gas
The home remedies for bloating will not be complete without mentioning the foods that cause gas, which you may want to avoid in the meantime. These foods include:
- Beans and lentils
- Cabbage
- Turnip
- Brussel sprouts
- Onions
- Pears
- Wheat
- Potatoes
- Noodles
- Corn
Generally, foods rich in carbohydrates, such as sweets, starch, and fiber, produce gas.
Note: Avoid cutting back on all these foods at once. If you notice, many of these foods are healthy food items. The best course of action is to talk to your doctor about the foods you need to limit or eliminate.
Talk to Your Doctor About Medicines You Can Take
If the discomfort interrupts your daily routine, talk to your doctor about taking medicines that might help with gas.
Simethicone, for instance, is a foaming agent that joins gas together, making it easier to release them. Likewise, reports say taking activated charcoal before and after meals offer relief from intestinal gas.
Don’t proceed with any treatment unless a doctor supervises you, as some ingredients may do more harm than good. Case in point: treating constipation may be a good way to get rid of gas. But psyllium husk, a laxative, is rich in fiber, so it might worsen your symptoms.
When To Seek Medical Help
In most cases, the home remedies for bloating work and patients don’t need treatment. Still, you must know when to seek medical help. Be sure to consult your doctor if you experience:
- Abdominal pain
- Vomiting
- Heartburn that’s worsening
- Diarrhea
- Blood in stool or stool that looks black
- Weight loss
Key Takeaways
Bloating, a condition wherein your tummy feels full and tight, usually happens due to excess gas in the digestive tract. In most cases, moving around, eating slowly, and cutting back on certain foods help relieve bloating. If the home remedies for bloating don’t work and you see no improvement, it’s best to consult your doctor.
Learn more about Bloating and Gas here.
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