HOW TO TREAT A BLOATED STOMACH? March 1, 2022 – Posted in: Health & Fitness
We have all been there. You wake up with a flat stomach, only to feel the belly bloat start after breakfast. This progresses and continues to cause feelings of discomfort and even pain throughout the day. Our bodies can only react to what we give it, but sometimes even making healthier changes can cause temporary belly bloating.
WHY AM I FEELING BLOATED?
FOOD CHOICES
In the last couple of years, many have realised that health is precious. This has been the leading reason for people making dietary changes in order to become healthier and to lose weight. Changing your diet, even if it is a healthier one, make have some unwelcome effects such as bloating, giving you a “food baby”. Eating foods that are richer in protein (beans, nuts or legumes) or wholegrain, can cause gas that may become trapped, causing discomfort.
Drinking plenty of water may help your body adjust to your new lifestyle. Your body will need a few days to get used to your new diet, so don’t give up!
Swallowed air, from carbonated drinks or chewing gum can make bloating worse. Luckily, this is an easy fix, although it is not easy for people who love drinking carbonated drinks or need gum after a meal to freshen up. The air becomes trapped in your digestive tract, causing that bloaty feel. Try to swop gradually to non-carbonated drinks and look into healthier habits to improve your mouth’s freshness.
Oil Pulling is one of these wonderful habits that will not only give you lasting fresh breath, but also to remove stains from your teeth caused by pigmented food and drinks. Double win!
CONSTIPATION
This might be the most obvious reason why you have a bloated stomach — you need to go to the bathroom! Constipation can cause stool to remain in the intestines, leaving you with a hard-feeling stomach, pain, discomfort and gas. The biggest reasons for constipation include eating too little fibre, not drinking enough water, being too sedentary/avoiding physical activity and stress.
Water-rich fruits and vegetables that provide water, key electrolytes and beneficial enzymes are your best friends when it comes to relieving stomach bloating naturally. Try eating more raw or cooked leafy greens, cucumber, celery, fennel, artichoke, melon, berries, steamed vegetables and cultured/fermented vegetables.
Natural digestion-soothing herbs like ginger, dandelion, aloe vera and fennel have been used for thousands of years to soothe an uncomfortable belly. Many herbs act like diuretics and help the body release extra fluid, while some, like ginger, can also help the digestive system release its contents and relax the muscles in the GI tract, which relieves constipation. Bone broth and green tea are also anti-inflammatory and great choices for promoting gut health. Try our Ayurvedic Supplements that contain herbs such as Triphala, which alleviates constipation and promotes better digestion.
HORMONAL CHANGES
Most women experience bloating during the pre-menstrual and ovulation period. During the early days of a woman’s cycle — sometimes called the follicular stage — estrogen levels rise while the uterine lining thickens. Bloating can also become stronger as ovulation occurs and more fluids and blood build up.
Having a bloated stomach before or during your period can differ depending on your cycle, and some women experience severe water retention for up to two weeks. Normally when a woman has her period, she experiences shedding of the excess fluid, tissue and blood. This usually results in the bloating going away.
Cupping massage can help to alleviate bloating by physically helping the gas to move along. You can engage a professional to help you, or do the massage in the comfort of your own home, while watching your favourite series or while having a luxurious bath! For best results, use our Medical-Grade Silicon Massage Cups in conjunction with our Wellness Massage Oils.