Bloating, a tightness felt in your stomach because of gas in the intestine, is caused by a number of different issues. The foods you eat, what you drink and how you drink it, medical issues and changing body chemistry can all be at fault. Although knowing the cause of the problem is important, sometimes you just need an immediate fix for bloating.
The good news is that immediate relief is available in the form of easy home remedies that might even help prevent future bouts of bloating. Some of them will even add extra flavor to your food! What's not to like about that? Check out the eight home remedies that help you combat bloating.
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Lifestyle
1. Drinks. One of the best ways to control your bloating is to control what you drink. According to WebMD, your bloat may be caused by dehydration, so increasing your water intake can help. Eating cucumbers can also help, as they're a good source of water. Some drinks to avoid because they contribute to bloating are carbonated beverages and alcohol.
1. Drinks. One of the best ways to control your bloating is to control what you drink. According to WebMD, your bloat may be caused by dehydration, so increasing your water intake can help. Eating cucumbers can also help, as they're a good source of water. Some drinks to avoid because they contribute to bloating are carbonated beverages and alcohol.
2. OTC remedies. For a quick fix when you're in the midst of struggling with a bloated belly, WebMD recommends some simple, over-the-counter remedies. Take activated charcoal after your meal if you notice you're having trouble. Try Maalox or Mylanta for another quick fix.
3. Swallowing air. If you know you tend to have trouble, Mayo Clinic recommends taking some precautions to help minimize the amount of air you swallow. Avoid sucking through a straw, sucking on candies or breath mints, chewing gum and eating your food too quickly.
Natural Remedies
1. Peppermint. The University of Maryland Medical Center shares a great home remedy that helps prevent bloating caused by irritable bowel syndrome. Enteric-coated peppermint capsules may prevent you from bloating as often. Be sure to avoid the release of peppermint oil into your stomach, as this can worsen the problem. If you suffer from GERD or heartburn, peppermint actually worsens the issue, so don't try it.
1. Peppermint. The University of Maryland Medical Center shares a great home remedy that helps prevent bloating caused by irritable bowel syndrome. Enteric-coated peppermint capsules may prevent you from bloating as often. Be sure to avoid the release of peppermint oil into your stomach, as this can worsen the problem. If you suffer from GERD or heartburn, peppermint actually worsens the issue, so don't try it.
2. Ginger tea. A cup of ginger tea might help alleviate the discomfort of bloating, according to Medical News Today. Put 1/2 teaspoon of fresh ginger root in 1 cup of water. Boil for five minutes, and then steep for 10 minutes. Strain the ginger out and drink. Sweeten it with honey if you prefer.
3. Carminatives. Carminatives are spices and herbs that, according to WebMD, help calm your digestive tract and help you burp up any gas that may be causing you to bloat. Allspice, cinnamon, cloves, ginger and nutmeg are all great carminatives. Garlic, lemon, sage, basil and thyme are also carminatives. Add these to foods or dishes that tend to create gas so that they can be more easily digested with less trouble.
4. Bananas. Health says that if your bloating is caused by water retention from salt, eat bananas. The potassium helps your body regulate its sodium levels and reduces water retention. Make a great smoothie by combining 1 banana, 1/2 cup milk, 1/2 cup yogurt, 1/2 cup oatmeal, 2 tablespoons peanut butter, 1 to 2 teaspoons honey and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon.
5. Yogurt. For foods that are difficult for your system to digest because it's missing the proper bacteria, Health recommends probiotics. A great natural source is yogurt. All sorts of flavors are available, and you can use it as a substitute for sour cream or buttermilk.
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Always have preventive measures and quick fixes in your anti-bloat arsenal to help prevent uncomfortable bloating!