Bloating symptoms, unusual causes and remedies that work
Bloating, an uncomfortable feeling of fullness in the stomach, is a common issue that many people experience. It can occur after eating a large meal, during menstruation, or due to excess gas in the gut, but it can also be a sign of an underlying health condition.
ZOE, a health science company, suggests several ways to alleviate bloating. These include adding fermented foods or probiotic supplements to your diet, reducing salt intake, and identifying hard-to-digest foods.
The company's researchers analysed 43 studies involving individuals with IBS who took probiotic supplements. The findings revealed that probiotics effectively treated symptoms such as bloating, abdominal pain, and flatulence.
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ZOE also advises keeping an eye out for trigger foods, often plant-based like lentils, broccoli, and certain fibres. While these are generally healthy, they may affect your gut, so maintaining a food diary could help identify any problematic foods.
Constipation can also cause bloating, making it beneficial to track your bowel movements. To relieve a bloated stomach, ZOE recommends moving after meals, staying hydrated, and using peppermint oil. Gentle exercises like walking and yoga are also said to aid digestion.
While bloating is a common occurrence, it can sometimes indicate a more serious underlying condition. Regular bloating could be a symptom of food intolerance, coeliac disease or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Persistent bloating that doesn't subside could also be a sign of a more severe condition like ovarian cancer.
It's recommended to consult with a GP if you've been experiencing bloating for three weeks or more, or if you find yourself feeling bloated frequently (more than 12 times a month).