Abdominal bloating might be a lot sneakier than you know. Its occurrence is not restricted to a holiday feast or a heavy meal. Simple daily activities can cause bloating and discomfort. Bloating is that enemy that occurs when you have to fit into a party dress or when you want to look good for an important meeting. Abdominal bloating is not only obvious but also causes physical discomfort. Bloating, in simple words is an abnormal swelling that occurs in your abdominal region due to the accumulation of gas leading to the enlargement of the intestines. Bloating can be your biggest enemy if you are trying to lose weight. Weight loss can never really be accompanied by abdominal bloating.
Causes of Abdominal Bloating
Abdominal bloating can be caused by the simplest of things we all do in our daily lives. Some of them are mentioned below:
- It occurs when you eat too fast.
- Bloating can be caused if you are constipated.
- Overeating can lead to bloating
- Due to over growth of bacteria in the small bowel.
- If you are in to too much sugar. Sugar overdose can lead to unpleasant bloating.
- By eating rich and fatty foods regularly, you are welcoming bloating into your life.
- It can also be caused due to certain food intolerance or allergies. E.g.: Lactose intolerance can lead to a lot of abdominal bloating.
- Smoking, stress and anxiety can induce bloating.
- Simple activities that cause you to swallow air such as drinking through a straw, sucking candy or even chewing gum leads to bloating.
- It can be a result of some other health complications you have been having.
Symptoms of Abdominal Bloating:
The symptoms are not very clear to start with. You can feel a sense of discomfort, fullness and irritation in the stomach region. You might have the feeling of being stuffed with food, despite the fact that you have eaten nominally. This goes hand in hand with excessive pain, acidity, frequent belching and rumbling in the abdominal section.
Treatment and Prevention of Abdominal Bloating
To treat and prevent bloating, avoid any kind of aerated drinks or junk food. It will cause a lot more harm to your digestive system than just bloating. Keep your intake of gas inducing foods such as dried beans, cabbage etc. to a minimum. However, do not totally boycott these veggies as they are packed with proteins and other nutrients you might require. But eat them in proportion.
Eat a high fiber diet to avoid constipation. Eat more of whole grain foods and fruits such as avocados etc. can will ease constipation and regulate bowel movements. Also, rule out all the food groups that you are allergic to. Be attentive to which food causes you discomfort and eliminate them from your diet, if not instantly then through time. You must however find a substitute that gives you the same nutrients. You can also drink a lot of de-bloat waters that include lemon, cucumber, ginger and mint. Include green tea into your daily routine.
Bloating cannot be generalized. It differs from person to person. You need to carefully analyze your daily activities and food intake to understand the actual causes and treat them.
