Difference between revisions of "Reduce Bloating and Gas"
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Gas and bloating occur as a natural result of the body's digestion breaking down food. When gas does not leave the body through burping or flatulence, it builds up in the digestive tract and leads to bloating. Read on for information on reducing gas and bloating by changing dietary habits and treating your symptoms with medicine. | Gas and bloating occur as a natural result of the body's digestion breaking down food. When gas does not leave the body through burping or flatulence, it builds up in the digestive tract and leads to bloating. Read on for information on reducing gas and bloating by changing dietary habits and treating your symptoms with medicine. | ||
| − | [[Category:Intestinal and Digestive Health]] | + | [[Category: Intestinal and Digestive Health]] |
== Steps == | == Steps == | ||
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#*If you are in public when a bout of gas or bloating strikes, find a bathroom where you can stay until the pain has subsided. | #*If you are in public when a bout of gas or bloating strikes, find a bathroom where you can stay until the pain has subsided. | ||
#*If you find it difficult to pass gas, try adjusting your body positioning to allow the gas to be released. Lie down and relax your muscles until the pressure in your stomach and intestines is gone. | #*If you find it difficult to pass gas, try adjusting your body positioning to allow the gas to be released. Lie down and relax your muscles until the pressure in your stomach and intestines is gone. | ||
| − | #*Moving around can help, too. Take a brisk walk around the block or walk up and down a set of stairs to help the gas make its way out. <ref>http://www.brighamandwomens.org/Patients_Visitors/pcs/nutrition/services/healtheweightforwomen/special_topics/intelihealth0504.aspx</ref> | + | #*Moving around can help, too. Take a brisk walk around the block or walk up and down a set of stairs to help the gas make its way out. <ref name="rf16974">http://www.brighamandwomens.org/Patients_Visitors/pcs/nutrition/services/healtheweightforwomen/special_topics/intelihealth0504.aspx</ref> |
#Use a hot pad or compress. For quick relief of abdominal pressure caused by gas and bloating, lie down and lay a hot water bottle or warm compress across your stomach. Allow its heat and weight to help the gas leave your body and the pressure subside. | #Use a hot pad or compress. For quick relief of abdominal pressure caused by gas and bloating, lie down and lay a hot water bottle or warm compress across your stomach. Allow its heat and weight to help the gas leave your body and the pressure subside. | ||
| − | #Drink mint or chamomile tea. Both mint and chamomile have properties that aid in digestion and help relieve stomach pains.<ref>http://www.webmd.com/heartburn-gerd/tc/gas-bloating-and-burping-prevention</ref> Buy mint or chamomile teabags, or use fresh mint leaves or dried chamomile flowers. Steep the ingredients in hot water and enjoy for immediate bloating and gas relief. | + | #Drink mint or chamomile tea. Both mint and chamomile have properties that aid in digestion and help relieve stomach pains.<ref name="rf16975">http://www.webmd.com/heartburn-gerd/tc/gas-bloating-and-burping-prevention</ref> Buy mint or chamomile teabags, or use fresh mint leaves or dried chamomile flowers. Steep the ingredients in hot water and enjoy for immediate bloating and gas relief. |
#Have some garlic. Garlic also has properties that stimulate the gastric system and help relieve gas and bloating. Garlic supplements are available at health food stores, but fresh garlic may provide faster relief. | #Have some garlic. Garlic also has properties that stimulate the gastric system and help relieve gas and bloating. Garlic supplements are available at health food stores, but fresh garlic may provide faster relief. | ||
#*Eat garlic soup, since the warm water helps deliver the garlic to your system quickly. Mince a few cloves of garlic and sauté them in olive oil on the stove. Add vegetable or chicken broth, let it simmer for a few minutes, and enjoy hot. | #*Eat garlic soup, since the warm water helps deliver the garlic to your system quickly. Mince a few cloves of garlic and sauté them in olive oil on the stove. Add vegetable or chicken broth, let it simmer for a few minutes, and enjoy hot. | ||
#*Avoid eating garlic with other foods that may cause more gas and bloating. For best results, consume it plain or in a soup. | #*Avoid eating garlic with other foods that may cause more gas and bloating. For best results, consume it plain or in a soup. | ||
#Take over-the-counter gas relief medicine. If you are already feeling gas and bloating pressure, medicines meant to prevent gas and bloating will not work. Choose a medicine meant to break up gas bubbles and reduce the pressure in your intestines and stomach. | #Take over-the-counter gas relief medicine. If you are already feeling gas and bloating pressure, medicines meant to prevent gas and bloating will not work. Choose a medicine meant to break up gas bubbles and reduce the pressure in your intestines and stomach. | ||
| − | #*Over-the-counter medicines that contain simethicone are meant to ease gas buildup.<ref>http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/gas-and-gas-pains/DS00080/DSECTION=treatments-and-drugs</ref> | + | #*Over-the-counter medicines that contain simethicone are meant to ease gas buildup.<ref name="rf16976">http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/gas-and-gas-pains/DS00080/DSECTION=treatments-and-drugs</ref> |
| − | #*Activated charcoal is also said to help relieve gas. Activated charcoal is sold at health food stores and drugstores.<ref | + | #*Activated charcoal is also said to help relieve gas. Activated charcoal is sold at health food stores and drugstores.<ref name="rf16976" /> |
===Make Lifestyle Changes=== | ===Make Lifestyle Changes=== | ||
| − | #Avoid foods that cause your body to produce excessive gas. Gas forms when carbohydrates that are not digested in your small intestine are fermented by bacteria in your colon.<ref>http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/gas-and-gas-pains/DS00080/DSECTION=causes</ref> Foods that cause this to happen affect some people more than others do. If you experience gas and bloating often, you might want to limit or avoid consuming these foods: | + | #Avoid foods that cause your body to produce excessive gas. Gas forms when carbohydrates that are not digested in your small intestine are fermented by bacteria in your colon.<ref name="rf16977">http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/gas-and-gas-pains/DS00080/DSECTION=causes</ref> Foods that cause this to happen affect some people more than others do. If you experience gas and bloating often, you might want to limit or avoid consuming these foods: |
#*Beans and other legumes. Black beans, kidney beans, lima beans, peas, and other legumes are notorious for causing gas to form. They contain a sugar called oligosaccharide the body cannot break down; the undigested sugar stays intact through the digestion process and results in gas production in the small intestine. | #*Beans and other legumes. Black beans, kidney beans, lima beans, peas, and other legumes are notorious for causing gas to form. They contain a sugar called oligosaccharide the body cannot break down; the undigested sugar stays intact through the digestion process and results in gas production in the small intestine. | ||
#*Fibrous fruits and vegetables. Fiber has many health benefits, but it cannot be digested and it is one of the main culprits that cause gas and bloating. Try to figure out which fibrous fruits and vegetables give you the most trouble. Cabbage, broccoli, and other cruciferous vegetables tend to cause more gas production than salad greens. | #*Fibrous fruits and vegetables. Fiber has many health benefits, but it cannot be digested and it is one of the main culprits that cause gas and bloating. Try to figure out which fibrous fruits and vegetables give you the most trouble. Cabbage, broccoli, and other cruciferous vegetables tend to cause more gas production than salad greens. | ||
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===Treat Digestive Disorders=== | ===Treat Digestive Disorders=== | ||
#Be aware of the frequency and severity of your symptoms. It is natural for gas and bloating to occur every once in a while, especially after eating one of the typical culprits, like beans or ice cream. If you have painful bloating or excess flatulence daily, though, the issue may extend beyond what you can fix by changing your dietary habits. | #Be aware of the frequency and severity of your symptoms. It is natural for gas and bloating to occur every once in a while, especially after eating one of the typical culprits, like beans or ice cream. If you have painful bloating or excess flatulence daily, though, the issue may extend beyond what you can fix by changing your dietary habits. | ||
| − | #*Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) affects your colon, and causes cramping and diarrhea when you consume certain foods.<ref>http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/irritable-bowel-syndrome/DS00106</ref> | + | #*Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) affects your colon, and causes cramping and diarrhea when you consume certain foods.<ref name="rf16978">http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/irritable-bowel-syndrome/DS00106</ref> |
| − | #*Celiac disease is a digestive disorder triggered by taking in of gluten, a protein found in bread and other food products containing wheat, barley or rye.<ref>http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/celiac-disease/home/ovc-20214625</ref> | + | #*Celiac disease is a digestive disorder triggered by taking in of gluten, a protein found in bread and other food products containing wheat, barley or rye.<ref name="rf16979">http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/celiac-disease/home/ovc-20214625</ref> |
#*Crohn's disease is a gastrointestinal disorder that can become severe if not treated effectively. | #*Crohn's disease is a gastrointestinal disorder that can become severe if not treated effectively. | ||
#Seek medical attention. If you have daily gas and bloating that causes pain or interferes with your daily life, call your doctor to discuss possible causes and solutions. Since gas and bloating are often directly related to what you eat, prepare to discuss your dietary and lifestyle habits with the doctor. | #Seek medical attention. If you have daily gas and bloating that causes pain or interferes with your daily life, call your doctor to discuss possible causes and solutions. Since gas and bloating are often directly related to what you eat, prepare to discuss your dietary and lifestyle habits with the doctor. | ||
