Bloating is a condition where in the stomach feels full and tight due to the buildup of gas in the small intestine. While there are many different causes of gas or a bloated stomach, it often occurs when the body struggles to break down food after meals.
Often bloating is accompanied with other symptoms like belching, pain, loose motions and lower back pain.
The causes of Bloating –
- Anxiety
- Anorexia
- Buildup of intestinal gas
- Constipation
- Indigestion
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Peptic ulcers
- Menopauses
- Overeating
- Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
- Smoking
- Trapped air
- Water retention
The best way to relieve bloating is to advice passing gas.
Even if this doesn’t work then do try these simple home remedies —
Fennel Seeds –
- relaxes the muscle spasms in the digestive tract and there by helps reduce bloating
Here’s what to do:
- Chew on a few fennel seeds after eating food.
- Make a tea of fennel seeds and drink this tea
Ginger —
- help reduce inflammation in the intestines and relax the intestinal muscles.
Here’s what to do:
- Make ginger tea and add a little honey and lemon juice to it and then drink it up to three times a day.
- Eat one teaspoon of fresh grated ginger before meals. You can also grate ginger root and sprinkle it on your food.
Pumpkin —
- Eating pumpkin is an excellent way to prevent unwanted flatulence as well as bloating. Pumpkin contains a good amount of vitamin A, potassium and fiber that help in digestion.
Here’s what to do:
- Add a cup of pumpkin it helps create a smooth digestive flow and reduce gas.
Banana –
- Is a good source of fiber and can help reduce bloating and gas associated with constipation. If you eat bananas regularly, you can eliminate bloating.
Warm Lemon Water —
- Drinking warm water is good for health as it helps remove harmful toxins from the body as well as keeps the body hydrated.
- Lemons are rich in vitamins B and C, riboflavin, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, proteins and carbohydrates that help in digestion.
Baking Soda —
- Baking soda acts as an antacid and relieves indigestion. Its alkaline nature can also counteract the hydrochloric acid in your stomach. This clears the gas, which, in turn, reduces stomach bloating.
Here’s what to do:
- Mix a teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of warm water. Drink this solution.
Apple cider vinegar —
- Apple cider vinegar kick starts digestion in your stomach with its enzymes and digestive properties, which helps treat bloating and its symptoms
Here’s what to do:
- Mix apple cider vinegar in a glass of warm water. Drink this acidic solution daily.
Green Tea —
- has been found to ease gas build-up and other digestive problems that can indirectly cause bloating.
Here’s what to do:
- Drink Green tea, you can also add honey for flavor.
Aloe vera juice —
- Aloe vera has also been found to show mild laxative effects, which can be effective in the treatment of constipation and stomach bloating.
Here’s what to do:
- Drink about half a cup of aloe vera juice to get relief from stomach bloating.
Coconut oil —
- with its anti-inflammatory properties, can help to get things moving in your intestine, thus treating stomach bloating and its symptoms
Here’s what to do:
- Consume one tablespoon of coconut oil or add it to your salad or juice.
Yogurt —
- Yogurt is a natural probiotic that increases the levels of healthy bacteria in your body. These bacteria can accelerate your digestion, which can also help in reducing abdominal bloating.
Here’s what to do:
- Consume one cup of plain yogurt.
Pineapple juice —
- Pineapples are a rich source of an enzyme called bromelain, which is anti-inflammatory and can help in digestion by breaking down the proteins in your stomach. This can consequently help in reducing bloating in the stomach.
Here’s what to do:
- Drink one glass of Pineapple Juice.
- Do not drink pineapple juice on an empty stomach.
Orange Juice —
- Oranges are a natural source of fiber and acids. The highly acidic nature of oranges can aid digestion by lowering the pH of your stomach. This can indirectly help in treating stomach bloating.
Here’s what to do:
- Do this once daily, before you have your meals.
Prevention And Relief From Stomach Bloating —
- in like manner, avoid consuming gas-producing foods like cabbage, beans, and carbonated drinks.
- Avoid swallowing air while eating or drinking.
- Also, do not smoke.
- Avoid drinking alcohol.
- Do not eat more than your stomach can take.
- Treat constipation as it is one of the main culprits behind stomach bloating.
- Exercise regularly and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
- Practise yoga mudras that can help ease digestion and gas problems such as Vayu mudra.
Side Effects Of Stomach Bloating —
Some of the side effects and complications of a bloated stomach that call for immediate medical attention include:
- A pain or pressure in the chest
- Breathing difficulty
- Fatigue and dizziness
- Fever
- Vomiting blood or some black substance
- Severe and intolerable abdominal pain
- Rapid pulse
- Signs of jaundice such as yellow skin or eyes
Hello!!
I’m Dr. Malini Bhat MD (Ayu); an Ayurvedic Doctor and a health blogger. Follow me on social media to get daily health tips which you can easily adapt to a healthy lifestyle.