Why Am I Always Bloated?
If you suffer from bloating after eating, you may be wondering why and how to relieve bloating fast. Bloating, which can cause distention of your abdomen, along with discomfort, gas, and even pain can be frustrating to deal with. Whether it’s acute or chronic, the first question is to wonder why this is happening. Here are some common reasons behind why you might experience bloating after eating and the foods that cause bloating.
Common Reasons Behind Your Bloat
The Most Common Cause – Constipation
While there are many different reasons you could be dealing with regular bloating, constipation tends to be the most common cause. When you eat, your belly is going to fill up, and it will distend slightly. This is very common, and will eventually settle when you go to sleep, or have a bowel movement. However, if you are constipated and are not going to the bathroom regularly, your belly can have a bloated appearance until you do relieve your bowels.
If you are struggling with chronic constipation, it might be from a medical condition. If this becomes a regular problem, see your doctor to rule out any medical causes.
Other Potential Causes
In addition to constipation, you might also be bloated because of swallowing too much air, struggling with gut issues like gastritis or IBS, consuming carbonated beverages, or just eating a large meal. Some people find that they are more bloated on days when they drink a lot of carbonated water and soft drinks, while others are bloated from certain foods that tend to cause inflammation in the gut.
There are also some medical conditions that increase your risk for bloating, including:
IBS
Pelvic inflammatory disease
Gastritis or diverticulitis
Infections
Crohn’s disease
Inflammation
Foods That Cause Bloating
Beans, wheat, carbonated drinks, processed foods, and dairy are some common foods that may be contributing to your bloat.
Try to consume beans that have been soaked or sprouted to make it easier to digest.
Many people have a gluten sensitivity, without even knowing it. Substituting for gluten-free options is a great way to minimize bloating.
Carbonated drinks are made with gas which directly causes bloating.
Processed foods that are high in sodium cause water retention in your body. They also contain additives that could be hard to digest.
Lactose intolerance is another common sensitivity that most people are unaware they have. Try to monitor your dairy intake and pay attention to how you feel within 2 hours of consuming dairy.
How To Relieve Bloating Fast
Sick and tired of being bloated all the time? Here are a few things that can help.
Drink water: Drink more water to relieve bloat, and make sure it is plain water without carbonation.
Tea for bloating: Peppermint does wonders for bloating and the gut in general. Try drinking 1-2 cups of peppermint tea each day to soothe your stomach.
Apple Cider Vinegar for bloating: One tablespoon of ACV in a warm glass of water will help relieve symptoms of gas and indigestion. Adding honey or lemon can make it more enjoyable. Use caution when consuming ACV, a small amount goes a long way.
Get regular exercise: Walking is one of the best exercises to help relieve bloating, but there are also some yoga poses that can be great for this.
Essential oils: Massaging your stomach gently with some peppermint essential oil is very soothing and helps relieve bloating and stomach discomfort.
Address your medical conditions: Of course, if you think your bloating is from medical conditions like inflammation or IBS, you need to address those before your bloating will go down.
Figuring Out What is Causing Your Bloat
The hardest part about this is figuring out what is actually causing you to be bloated. There are a few things to look at first. The first step is typically to see your doctor since they can often rule out medical causes for your bloating. Next, if you think it might be from a sensitivity to certain foods, removing those foods or trying an elimination diet can help a lot.
Also, look at your lifestyle and what foods you eat, as if you are eating a lot of inflammatory foods, have constipation, or drink nothing but carbonated beverages, that is likely the culprit.
I can help you implement these bloating relief tips and get you on the right track to better gut health! Schedule a free 30 minute consultation with me today!
