Stomach bloating: Five proven ways to help alleviate the painful condition

Stomach bloating describes what happens when too much gas clogs up a person’s gastrointestinal tract. The result tends to be an uncomfortable bout of tummy swelling. The belly often inflates and leaves a person with a protruding belly that is often accompanied with mild cramps. The condition could be described as painful, embarrassing and uncomfortable. What are five ways to help reduce the symptoms of bloating?

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Increase your potassium

Potassium ensures that all cells, tissues and organs are operating properly.

It can provide relief from bloating by balancing and circulating body fluids.

Try eating potassium-rich foods such as bananas, kiwis and strawberries.

Potassium-rich foods help to balance the amount of salt consumed and thereby reduces symptoms of bloating.

Drink water

Fluids help flush waste out of the system and reduce water retention.

Drinking several glasses of water will help to restore the sodium balance so the body will give up fluids.

Water also helps to flush the stymie and keeps the digestive tract moving so a person doesn’t become constipated.

Drink more peppermint tea

Peppermint contains a compound called menthol that aids in the normalisation of intestinal contractions.

The natural oils found in mint help to break down and remove gas from the digestive tract. Peppermint is a herb often used to relieve digestive issues such as Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and bloating.

Get moving

When a person lies down, the trapped gas in their body is less likely to be able to pass out of the body and in fact actually traps the gas more.

Walking, jogging, and other types of exercise can help stimulate the passage of gas through your digestive tract.

Bloating can also be related to one’s activity level and the strength of their abdominal wall.

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Take digestive enzyme supplements

Certain over-the-counter products may help with bloating, such as supplemental enzymes that can help break down indigestible carbohydrates.

Taking a lactose supplement before drinking milk helps with digestion of milk sugars and reduces the symptoms of bloating.

Another supplement to take is an enzyme called alpha-galactosidase, commonly known as Beano, which helps reduce gas and bloating caused by eating cruciferous vegetables.

According to the NHS, other methods to ease bloating include:

• Not talking and eating at the same time
• Sitting down to eat (sitting upright and not slumped over)
• Reducing the amount of fizzy drinks they consume
• Stop chewing gum and chewing with their mouth closed so that they’re not taking in excess air.

GP Doctor Sarah Jarvis said: “It’s important to think about whether you’re feeling constantly bloated or whether the bloating comes and goes.”

Stomach cancer is usually causes vague symptoms early on like bloating, indigestion, and a feeling of fullness in the upper abdomen.

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