What’s bloating?
Do you remember those times when you feel like you are full even without eating any food? If that happens, you’re bloated.
Most people view bloating as a common and normal feeling that one gets when full. This could be right but in some cases it is usually a sign of an underlying chronic health condition.
In women, frequent bloating could be a sign of irritable bowel syndrome. This is a common health problem for older women or those who have given birth.
Bloating can be defined as a constant feeling of fullness which occurs as a result of gas in the belly.
What causes bloating?
There are quite a number of factors that can contribute to bloating. The main cause is believed to be constipation.
Constipation mainly occurs when you have fewer bowel movements. It can also be experienced even when there’s enough such movements.
In such cases, some of the common signs that will help you know when constipated include;
- Hard or pebble-like stool
- Straining before, during, and after a bowel movement.
- Feeling pain during a bowel movement.
Other common causes.
- Gynecological conditions – Most women are advised to take an annual pelvic examination which helps determine the health of the ovary and the uterus. Problems related to the ovary and uterus are likely to cause bloating.
- If you have been diagnosed with Irritable Bowel syndrome, a condition sensitive to gas, you are likely to experience bloating.
- SIBO(Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth), a health problem that results from IBS(Irritable Bowel Syndrome) can also cause bloating. Those with SIBO are more susceptible to bloating due to the number of bacteria in the small intestine.
How do you Prevent or Treat Bloating?
Research has it that most bloating cases result from dietary choices. After diagnosis or if you frequently experience bloating, consider changing your diet. Study and understand the types of foods that are likely to cause or worsen the condition.
According to Hopkins Medicine, a low FODMAP diet can be the answer to your bloating problem.
A low Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides, and Polyols diet can lower the symptoms of excessive gas and Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
You are there advised to avoid foods which high gas content which may include but are not limited to:
- Monosaccharides such as fructose, found in fruits and honey, pears ,and apples
- Disaccharides; found in yogurt, lactose milk and icecream
- Sugar alcohols common in candies and chewing gums, and plants like cauliflower, apricots, and plums
- Legumes, onions, and wheat which contain Oligosaccharides.
It is important to understand the main cause of your bloating before seeking any form of medical treatment. In a case where your bloating happens as a result of constipation. You can learn common causes of constipation and how to treat it or simply apply the recommendations given above.
One common way to handle constipation is by drinking enough water and engaging in physical exercises.
Disclaimer: The content in this article is for information purposes only. If you have any health concerns, seek immediate health advice from a qualified health specialist. I am a not a doctor and shall not be held liable for anything that happens as a result of any use of the information obtained from this website either as a whole or part of.
