These conditions cause factors that contribute to gas and bloating, such as:
- overgrowth or deficiency of bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract;
- gas accumulation;
- abnormal abdominal reflexes
- visceral hypersensitivity (feeling bloated in case of small or even normal bodily changes;
- malabsorption of food and carbohydrates;
- constipation.
Treatments to prevent or relieve swelling
In many cases, abdominal bloating symptoms it can be reduced or even prevented by making simple lifestyle changes such as weight loss.
To reduce swallowing a lot of air, you can try:
- Avoid chewing gum. Chewing gum can cause you to swallow extra air, which in turn can lead to bloating.
- Limit the consumption of carbonated drinks.
- Avoid gas-producing foods, such as vegetables like kale, dried beans, and lentils.
- Eat slowly and avoid drinking through a straw.
- Use lactose-free dairy products (if you are lactose intolerant).
Probiotics can also help repopulate healthy gut bacteria. Research is mixed on the effectiveness of probiotics. One review found probiotics to have a moderate effect, with 70% agreement on the bloating relief effect. You can find probiotics in kefir and Greek yogurt.
Drugs
Talk to your doctor if lifestyle changes and dietary interventions don’t help with the bloating. If your doctor finds a medical cause for your swelling, he or she may recommend medical treatments.
Treatments may require antibiotics, antispasmodics or antidepressants, but it also depends on your health.
See your doctor if swelling is accompanied by any of the following:
- severe or prolonged abdominal pain;
- blood in stools or stools that look different;
- high fever;
- diarrhea;
- aggravation of heartburn;
- He retched;
- unexplained weight loss.
Limit foods that trigger bloating
Many people experience bloating after eating certain foods that contain large amounts of indigestible compounds. These compounds include insoluble and soluble fibers, sugar alcohols, sugars and fructose.
When you eat foods that contain these compounds, the undigested fiber and sugars end up in the large intestine, where bacteria ferment them, leading to increased gas.
Specific foods that can cause bloating include:
- Vegetables: broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts and cabbage;
- Fruits: plums, apples, pears and peaches;
- Whole grains: wheat, oats, wheat germ and wheat bran;
- Vegetables: beans, lentils, peas and baked beans;
- Sugar alcohols and artificial sweeteners: xylitol, sorbitol and mannitol found in artificial sweeteners and sugar-free chewing gum;
- Beverages: soda and other carbonated drinks;
While these foods can lead to gas, not everyone will feel bloated after eating them. Keeping a food diary can help you identify which foods trigger your symptoms so you don’t have to go on an overly restrictive diet.
Check if you are lactose intolerant
Lactose is a sugar found in milk. The body needs an enzyme called lactase to break down lactose. However, most people don’t produce enough of this enzyme to break down lactose by the time they reach adulthood. The resulting condition is called lactose intolerance.
This condition causes the lactose to pass through the intestines, attracting more water until it reaches the colon, where it is fermented by bacteria and releases gas. This can lead to symptoms such as bloating, stomach pain, increased flatulence and belching.
If you suspect you may be lactose intolerant, reducing your dairy intake may help eliminate bloating symptoms.
However, it’s important to talk to your doctor to rule out other causes before making any significant dietary changes, as dairy products are an important source of key nutrients such as calcium, vitamin D, magnesium, potassium, zinc, phosphorus, and protein.
Fortunately, some dairy products contain less lactose and may be better tolerated. These include Greek yogurt and aged cheeses.
Additionally, many lactose-free dairy products allow you to get the nutrients of dairy products without the symptoms of lactose intolerance.
Try a low FODMAP diet
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common digestive condition characterized by symptoms such as abdominal pain, discomfort, diarrhea and constipation. About 66-90% of people with IBS also experience bloating.
Numerous studies show that restricting certain carbohydrates called fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols (FODMAPs) can reduce bloating and other symptoms in people with IBS.
Not only are FODMAPs poorly digested and fermented by bacteria in the colon, they also cause increased water retention in the intestines.
Foods high in FODMAPs include:
- Cereals: wheat and rye;
- Dairy products: milk, cream, yogurt and soft cheeses;
- Fruits: watermelon, apples, stone fruit, grapefruit, pears, mangoes, fruit juices and dried fruits;
- Vegetables: onions, garlic, leeks, artichokes, asparagus, peas, lentils, mushrooms, cauliflower, peas and Brussels sprouts;
- Nuts: cashews and pistachios;
- Other: sugar-free gums and honey;
Low FODMAP diets are quite restrictive for a few weeks before the excluded foods are gradually reintroduced to determine which foods you can and cannot tolerate.
