A bloated stomach is when you feel like your stomach is too full. It may or may not be accompanied by a distension, which is a stomach that is visibly swollen and tight.
Most of the time, bloating is caused by too much gas, but the link between gas and bloating in the abdomen is not fully understood. Some people who feel bloated don’t actually have more gas in their intestines; they may just be more sensitive to it. The kind of gas could be more important than how much of it there is. Epigenetics can help with options. https://drgoodbinder.com/
Some things that cause bloating are:
• Constipation (less than three bowel movements per week)
• IBS, or irritable bowel syndrome, is a problem with the gut.
• Eating disorders which cause irregularities
• Overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine (SIBO)
• Gynecological problems
• Celiac disease (an autoimmune disease triggered by gluten)
• Gastroparesis (slow evacuation of the stomach into the small intestine)
Most of the time, being bloated isn’t a big deal for individuals, but it can be very uncomfortable and can effect your day to day life. Most of the time, stomach bloating goes away on its own, but the following steps may help not only reduce bloating but treat its causes as well:
Exercise and Standing Up
Exercise can help get rid of gas and make you feel less bloated. Changes in posture can also help. When you lie on your back, your body holds on to more gas, so try to stay busy all day.
Over-the-Counter Drugs
Gas-reducers like simethicone (Gas X) and activated charcoal are both sold in stores and can help with these symptoms. When used separately in clinical trials, the two have been shown to be ineffective or inconsistent. Some evidence, though, shows that they may work when used together or with magnesium oxide or loperamide (Imodium).
Probiotics
People often take probiotics to help with digestive problems, but not much is known about how they work. Still, there is some evidence that taking probiotics can help reduce stomach gas. Clinical studies have shown that the formula in VSL#3 helps both adults and children feel less full.
Digestive Enzymes
Some foods can be hard to digest, which can lead to stomach bloating. Most digestive enzyme supplements only help people who can’t make their own enzymes because of a medical condition. But over-the-counter enzymes have been shown to help digest two foods that are often hard to digest: dairy and legumes (such as beans).
Diet
When carbohydrates that aren’t well digested start to ferment in the colon, they can cause stomach bloating. A low-FODMAP diet, or a diet low in fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols, has helped many people who often get bloated.
You might want to stop eating some or all of the following:
• Oligosaccharides are found in beans, garlic, onions, and wheat.
• Disaccharides: like lactose, which is found in dairy products.
• Monosaccharides are simple sugars like fructose, which are found in apples, pears, and honey.
• Most stone fruits, cauliflower, chewing gum, and candies have polyols.