Bloating
Bloating is when your body is filled with gas or liquid, causing distension in the stomach. It’s often a tight, swollen feeling that stretches the stomach to its maximum. The abdomen often feels gaseous and can be visibly swollen. Gas can cause your body to react in different ways, one of the main responses being Bloating. Gas is simply waste attempting to leave your body if the foods you consume are processed insufficiently.
There are numerous signs and symptoms that can indicate bloating or gas, many of which occur at the same time.
- Enlarged or swollen stomach/abdomen
- Gas pains
- Flatus or belching
- Discomfort
- Tightness in stomach
- Loose Bowels or Diarrhea
- Shortness in breathing
- Lower back pains
- Cramping or stomach aches
Bloating can result from the diet you keep, certain health conditions, or it can just occur after consuming food in general. It’s your body’s way of responding negatively to something within your digestive system. While some cases of bloating aren’t that severe, bloating can progress or worsen over time. Bloating that occurs for a certain period of time can call for medical assistance. Common reasons bloating occurs include:
- Lack of Eating/Excess Eating
- Bowel Movement issues (constipation or diarrhea)
- Indigestion
- Water Retention
- Smoking
- Gas Pockets (Trapped Gas)
- Slow Digestive Rate (Dysmotility)
- Food intolerance
- Insufficient Hydrochloric Acid
- Lack of Digestive enzymes
- Minimal Intestinal Flora (Good Bacteria)
Health Ailments that contribute to bloating:
- Ulcers
- Anorexia
- Menopause
- Hyperthyroidism
- Premenstrual Syndrome
- Candidiasis
- Coeliac Disease
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Certain Cancers
Dherbs Approach...adjusting your diet is always key!
- Basic yoga moves like downward dog, seated tree, chair, cat/cow, and knee hugs help your body release trapped gas or provide relief from Bloating.
- Ab exercises, jumping jacks, jumping rope and any other core exercises help to stimulate bowel movements and the movement of gas within the body, both of which can diminish the bloated feeling.
- Eat only when you are actually hungry. Over-eating or eating to try and relieve the bloating is ill-advised. Also, resist from eating fruit after a meal, as it can cause gas to develop.
- Aromatherapy can be a good option to relieve Bloating. Anxiety and stress can cause bloating, so using essential oils like basil, rose, cinnamon, orange, or peppermint can calm the feelings of stress.
