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More often than not we find ourselves bloated, and have even heard our friends and family complaining about it. Although most of us are embarrassed to actually address the issue, bloating can be extremely painful and uncomfortable if not treated in the right manner. A condition that is generally caused because of digestive problems, other factors such as stress and hormones also make you feel bloated.
A bloated stomach gives you a feeling of tightness, pressure and makes you feel full in your stomach region. An intensely painful and uncomfortable condition, bloating is usually normal. However, if you are recurrently bloated, then you might need to pay a little more attention to what your body is trying to say. There can be a number of underlying factors that may cause a bloated stomach, here are some of the possible causes and remedies for you to learn in order to reduce bloating.
Causes of bloating
Bloating may be caused due to a number of underlying conditions. Here are some of the common causes of bloating that you should know about
1.Gas
Gas is the natural byproduct of the process of digestion in our body, however too much intestinal gas may indicate that the digestion process hasn't occurred in the right manner. The formation of intestinal gas is normal and occurs due to the process of fermentation in the body. However, in case of excess fermentation, or when the amount of carbohydrates has become too much in the body where it cannot be naturally absorbed, which could occur for a number of reasons, such a condition commonly causes bloating.
2. Constipation
Constipation is another factor that causes a bloated stomach. Such a condition can lead to abdominal pain and bloating. This occurs because the longer the stool stays in the colon, the fermentation process gets affected due to the presence of more and more bacteria.
3. Hormones
Hormones are a major factor that causes bloating, especially among women. A bloated stomach not only occurs because of the digestive cycle, but is also equally affected by the menstrual cycle among women. Majority of women tend to experience abdominal bloating during their menses, and bloating also occurs due to other hormonal fluctuations in the body. The release of estrogen causes water retention, as it causes bloating from fluids and tends to slow down the digestion process.
Tip and tricks to do away with bloating
Sometimes changing your diet or simply waiting for yourself to feel alright does not quite do the trick. So here are some of the best bloating relief options that you can try next time you feel bloated
1. Peppermint
Peppermint tea or other peppermint supplements are a great way to reduce bloating. Peppermint is seen to largely help people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and relieve discomforts caused by gas. Peppermint helps in relaxing the muscles of the intestine as well as the digestive tract, and in turn helps in reducing spasms and discomfort. Moreover, peppermint contains menthol which is a natural antispasmodic which is among the best bloating relief compounds.
2. Include fruits with skin in your diet
Fruits with skins such as apples and pears, along with fresh berries are among the best bloating relief food items to add to your diet. These kinds of fruits help towards your bloating relief in the long run as they consist of large amounts of fibre residues. These are fibrous fruits which aid the digestion process in your body and thus help reduce bloating.
3. Chamomile tea
Having chamomile tea is among the top bloated stomach remedies. A great way to reduce bloating, chamomile tea helps in reducing indigestion and trapped gas, which in turn helps towards doing away with a bloated stomach. Moreover, drinking chamomile tea before bedtime and before meals also helps people who feel constantly bloated.
4. Apple cider vinegar
Having apple cider vinegar regularly is a great way that works as a bloated stomach remedy. Apple cider vinegar consists of compounds that help fight against the bacteria that cause the accumulation of abdominal gas which in turn results in bloating and causes discomfort.
Diluting a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in water or tea and having it right before meals also helps towards reducing bloating for those who experience the discomfort consistently.
5. Probiotics
Making a habit of consuming probiotics regularly can largely help towards bloating relief. Probiotics consists of good bacteria that are extremely beneficial for your gut health and helps to regulate your digestive system, thus reducing bloating. Moreover, food items such as yogurt, tempeh and miso are natural supplements that are great for maintaining a healthy gut and reducing problems of regular bloating.
6. Water intake
Sipping on water continuously throughout the day is extremely essential to maintain good gut health. Staying hydrated and drinking enough water throughout the day, at regular intervals helps towards preventing the problem of constipation that is a common cause for bloating.