Is Your Diet Causing Your Abdominal Bloating?

Abdominal bloating is a pesky symptom that most people experience repeatedly throughout their life. It can be caused by a variety of things, most of which are fairly harmless and can be treated with simple measures. Bloating is most commonly caused by food-based indigestion or a build-up of gas in the digestive system. As long as bloating reduced within a day or two there is typically no cause for concern.  Common Causes of Abdominal Bloating

There are many very common causes of bloating and the symptoms that accompany it. Bloating typically follows a 1–3-day pattern and will remedy itself naturally. The reasons below are the standard triggers for abdominal bloating. Gas

The most common cause of bloating is a buildup of non-harmful gas in the stomach and intestinal tract. Gas-related bloating typically only causes mild discomfort. However, painful cramps or severe nausea can also accompany bloating caused by gas. Indigestion

Indigestion is a mild to moderate stomach discomfort that everyone experiences to some degree from time to time. Indigestion will typically subside in a few days. Everyday causes of indigestion include:

• Overeating • Eating foods that don’t agree with you (spicy food, excess sugar, excess acid, etc.) • Medications that cause stomach irritation • Overuse of caffeine or alcohol Intolerance to Certain Foods

One of the most common causes of bloating, gas and stomach cramps is food intolerance. Examples of food intolerances include:

• Lactose intolerance  • Gluten allergy  • Intolerance to spicy foods  By simply noticing which foods lead to bloating, you can avoid those foods or only use in moderation to prevent bloating in the future.  Stomach Infection

There are many types of mild stomach infections that can cause bloating, gas and nausea. These mild stomach infections typically go away within a few days. It is important to drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration as the stomach infection remedies itself. If bloating and other stomach-related issues do not resolve within a few days, calling your doctor is your best bet.  Disruption in Bacteria Balance

While bacteria often have negative connotations, your stomach and intestinal tract have a variety of “good” bacteria that helps your body digest food. When the balance of the various kinds of bacteria is disrupted, it can lead to an excess of “bad” bacteria in the small intestine. This leads to trouble breaking down food and absorbing the nutrients within the food, leading to bloating.  Constipation 

When the microbiota in your gut interacts with trapped stool, an excess of gas is produced in your colon. This leads to bloating and constipation. This is typically remedied naturally.  Simple Remedies to Treat Bloating

There are many different options and remedies to safely treat bloating and subsequent symptoms at home. Some of the most common remedies include: • Lying down with a heating bad on the stomach • Common drugstore medicines such as an antacid or a product containing bismuth salicylate • Cleansing the system by drinking a lot of water • Drinking teas with ingredients that are used for calming the stomach, such as peppermint tea • Drinking carbonated water to calm the digestive tract

Although on many occasions these symptoms are often short lived, if symptoms persist, health checks should be done to make sure the liver is at risk. The liver plays an active role in digestion and needs to be protected by removing toxins our diet and lifestyles. In my upcoming “Love Your Lifestyle” workshop, I will be sharing to protect our liver so it can carry out the many essential functions of the human body. You can register here to guarantee you have a seat.