For most people, bloating occurs following a heavy meal, prior to and during menstruation or as a result of excess gas in the gut. But for some, it can be a symptom of an underlying health condition.
Bloating makes your stomach feel full and uncomfortable, but there are numerous things that can be done to ease discomfort, the Liverpool Echo reports.
Health science company ZOE, which is behind the largest Covid study in the world, believes that adding fermented foods or probiotic supplements to your diet, decreasing your salt consumption and being aware of which foods are difficult to digest could all help to prevent bloating. The researchers viewed 43 different studies, which included people with IBS who had tried probiotic supplements.
It was found that probiotics were an effective form of treatment for symptoms such as bloating, abdominal pain and flatulence.
The health company also advises people to look out for trigger foods, including lentils, broccoli and certain fibres. While these are healthy, nutritious foods, ZOE recommends that people keep a food diary to help identify foods that could affect your gut.
Constipation may also be a cause of bloating, so it may be worthwhile to keep a diary of your bowel movements.
In terms of getting rid of a bloated tummy, the research finds that moving after eating, drinking water and taking peppermint oil are effective. Gentle exercise such as walking and yoga are believed to assist digestion.
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While bloating is common, it can sometimes be caused by something more serious. frequent bloating may be caused by a condition such as a food intolerance, coeliac disease or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Sometimes bloating that does not go away can be a sign of something more serious, such as ovarian cancer.
You should see a GP if you've been bloated for three weeks or more, or if you feel bloated regularly (more than 12 times a month).
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