How to get rid of bloating once and for all

Do you suffer from bloating and constipation every time you eat certain foods? Or, do you get overly bloated when it is that time of the month? How to get rid of bloating and what causes bloating in the stomach? These are pretty common questions that almost every month asks at least once a month.

For starters, bloating affects most women but for some, it’s a persistent condition. Men are no exception to bloating- they also suffer from it just not as much as women, and there’s a reason for that.

Women suffer more from belly bloat than men because, a woman’s intestines are longer than a man’s, plus, women experience hormonal fluctuations throughout their lives.

The change in hormone levels in women happens at various stages in life, such as puberty, menstruation, and menopause.

During this time, the body will hold on to water, which may cause bloating. There are, of course, other factors that may cause bloating in the stomach, and we shall discuss them in detail as we go along.

But, before we go into what relives bloating fast, let us delve deeper into what is bloating and what causes it, the common belly bloat symptoms, foods to avoid if you regularly suffer from bloating, and finally, how to beat belly bloat

Essential reading:

• 10 worst foods that cause bloating and gas
• Coffee and lemon for weight loss
• How to get rid of cellulite on thighs and bum naturally

Most of us want quick fixes such as detox drinks to get rid of bloating. And quite often, quick solutions tend to work, but only for a short time. When we do not what really is causing a problem, the same problem comes back over and over. This vicious cycle stops here. 

What is bloating? 

Bloating is a condition where the tummy swells and feels uncomfortably stretched and full as a result of excess wind or fluid.

Bloating symptoms: how to tell if you are bloated

The best way to describe bloating to someone who hasn’t (yet) experienced this kind of discomfort is by asking them to imagine swallowing a basketball with no way to deflate or expel it. It is not only uncomfortable but painful in most cases. 

Symptoms of Bloating

1. When it is time for a number 2, pooping will feel almost impossible because your stool hardens like pebbles.
2. You tend to pass a lot of gas when you are bloated.
3. You will burp. A lot.
4. You will experience stomach cramps 
5. Your abdomen and not the stomach will increase in size
6. Another belly bloat symptom is that even after doing a number two, your belly will still feel full.

What Causes Bloating in the Stomach?

So, you now know how to tell whether you are bloated or just too full from eating copious amounts of delicious food. But why are you bloated so often? The simple answer is this: what causes bloating in the stomach varies from person to person but the following are the common causes of bloating.

For most people, certain foods trigger bloating, while it has everything to do only with hormonal fluctuations at different life stages, for a few. There is also a serious medical condition that may cause bloating in women and, if bloating is persistent without normal cause, seek urgent medical attention.   

1. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

 

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a condition that affects how the digestive tract functions. Although it is a fairly common problem, researchers do not know the exact cause of IBS, and there is no definitive test to diagnose the condition, according to the Mayo Clinic.

People who suffer from IBS tend to be highly sensitive to high-gas foods like carbonated drinks, gluten, and certain carbohydrates. Some of the symptoms of IBS include cramps, bloating, diarrhea and constipation over a period.

There’s currently no known cure for IBS, however, there are remedies you can follow to effectively manage symptoms, one of them is working with a dietician to eliminate from the diet, foods that cause bloating like gluten, lactose, and gassy foods like beans cauliflower, cabbage, prunes, onions, beer, etc.

Drinking plenty of water and eating foods high in fiber will also help you beat irritable bowel syndrome and ultimately, bloating.

2. Constipation

There is joy in pooping but when your number twos become infrequent, that might spell health and digestive problems. You will never appreciate an effortless bowel movement until you are constipated and nothing dares to come out no matter how much you push.

Stool ferments and becomes harder the longer it remains in the colon and rectum, and when this happens, excessive gas will be released. This will ultimately cause bloating and excessive flatulence (gas).

Constipation is the most common cause of bloating. There are many causes of constipation and just to touch on the surface, constipation may be brought about by one of the following:

• When you don’t drink enough water or eat enough fiber
• Laxative abuse
• Diet and lifestyle changes
• Pregnancy or an underactive thyroid
• Stress
• IBS

If your bowel movement changes suddenly and you are constipated for more than a few days, you should seek medical advice. You can tell if you are constipated when your bowel movements become irregular and when the stool is lumpy and dry.

3. Hormonal Fluctuations

Most women suffer from bloating during their menstrual cycle because of water retention. During that time of the month, the levels of estrogen change, causing the body to hold on to water. Hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy and menopause can also cause bloating.

 4. Food Intolerance

Food intolerance affects the digestive system, while food allergies go beyond that and affect the immune system and other body organs. Food intolerance often causes bloating and in the last decade, more and more people have become sensitive to a lot of food. The statistics for food intolerance remain on the rise.

For most people, nuts, fish, and dairy products like milk, eggs, and whey protein, are the main triggers of food intolerance, and they will have digestive problems after eating these types of foods.

Apart from bloating, food intolerance can cause symptoms such as flatulence, skin rashes, or stomach pain.

5. Celiac Disease

Celiac is an autoimmune disease that is triggered by eating gluten. This disorder causes inflammation or damage to the lining of the small intestines, and while Celiac affects individuals differently, one of the common symptoms is abdominal bloating.

6. Ovarian Cancer

If you persistently suffer from bloating, you should STOP looking for remedies and SEE A DOCTOR because bloating is one of the main symptoms of ovarian cancer. Bloating that is associated with cancer of the ovaries is often accompanied by abdominal pain, change in appetite, and urinary issues.  Seek medical help immediately if you suffer from this kind of bloating.

How to Get Rid of Bloating

Looking at the factors above that cause bloating for a lot of people it is easy to say that it is possible to get rid of bloating overnight.

Once you pinpoint the triggers discussed above, you have a choice to eliminate foods that cause gas and belly bloat or use fast home remedies that relieve bloating.

1. Avoid foods that cause bloating and gas

Cutting down on or entirely getting rid of foods that cause belly bloat will help you fight the problem. If are unsure which foods cause bloating for you, try removing these listed foods from your diet one by one, until you stop feeling like you have just swallowed a balloon.

11 Common foods that cause gas bloating and 

These foods are commonly known to aggravate bloating:

1. Beans and lentils
2. Onions and garlic
3. Carbonated drinks e.g. sodas, energy drinks, beer, pop, etc.
4. Cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, Brussels sprouts, etc.
5. Wheat
6. Dairy products like milk and cheeses
7. Chewing gum
8. Spicy foods
9. Salty foods
10. Pears and apples
11. Artificial sweeteners like aspartame and xylitol

2. Avoid eating and talking at the same time

Swallowing excessive air while eating will cause bloating. The best way to get rid of belly bloat when it is caused by taking in excessive air is to quit doing the following things:

• Eating and talking at the same time
• Chewing gum
• Smoking
• Eating on the run or too fast, and
•  Stop mindless eating

Essential reading: How to Overcome Emotional Eating

3. Drinks lots of water

Quite often people wrongly assume that drinking water will cause bloating. This is not the case.

Drinking lots of water will help keep your body from retaining water. When you are well hydrated, your body doesn’t struggle to hold on to fluids.

4.  Drink belly bloating detox water

You can get rid of bloating overnight easily by making yourself this quick and easy belly bloat detox water.

Belly bloat detox water recipe

Ingredients

• 1 lemon, sliced
• 8 slices of fresh cucumber
• ½ grapefruit
•  3 fresh rosemary sprigs
• 5 cups cold water

Method

Combine all the ingredients in a jug and allow it to sit for 4 hours and drink as desired.

 

4. Use apple cider vinegar to get rid of bloating

Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is one item that must be in every household because its benefits are endless.

To beat bloating using ACV, dilute a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water and take it before a meal once a day or whenever you feel bloated. You could also take ACV pills if drinking it straight grosses you out.

Final thoughts on how to get rid of bloating

 The best way to beat belly bloat is by learning what is causing you to be bloated. Once you have ruled out the culprit, you will be able how to get rid of bloating forever.

If you are already bloated and looking for quick bloating remedies, the detox water will give you relief in less than 24 hours.