Help with bloating

daniellek30
daniellek30 Posts: 171 Member
edited November 18 in Health and Weight Loss
Hi there,

One of my biggest issues is that I have belly bloat - and frankly, it doesn't matter how much water I drink, or what I eat - many days I still just have it. Does anyone have any recommendations for maybe some teas, etc.?

I'm not looking for any type of quick fix to lose weight. Thanks!

Replies

  • Odinanthor
    Odinanthor Posts: 3 Member
    Hey, have you ever been tested for Ceoliac disease?. i bloat when i eat any thing with Wheat, Rye or Barley in it..
  • turkey2swan
    turkey2swan Posts: 19 Member
    Limiting certain foods help with the belly bloat or drinking tea, as it's a natural diuretic. I find that limiting legumes, dairy, potatoes, and bread helps for me, but try taking a look at your food diary and make notes of how you feel after you eat. That is what helped me narrow it down.

    And +1 for getting checked out for celiac disease if you find wheat is an issue!
  • L1zardQueen
    L1zardQueen Posts: 8,753 Member
    You mean gassy?
  • daniellek30
    daniellek30 Posts: 171 Member
    You mean gassy?

    Nope, not gassy. Literally just throughout the day, my stomach will just become extremely bloated.
  • L1zardQueen
    L1zardQueen Posts: 8,753 Member
    Maybe eat smaller meals throughout the day instead of bigger ones. I know when I eat I can see it. Lol
  • Sunna_W
    Sunna_W Posts: 744 Member
    You've got "fermentation"...

    Bloating affects both men and women, but seems to affect women more. In some cases, the cause can be a lot more serious than gas. People with late-stage ovarian cancer, severe liver or kidney disease may experience abdominal swelling that is persistent. Anytime that abdominal bloating is accompanied by severe pain, fever, the inability to pass gas, diarrhea or blood in the bowel movements it can be a sign of intestinal obstruction or inflammation.

    Simple abdominal bloating doesn't usually get much attention from doctors since it is not a life-threatening disease, even though it can cause a great deal of misery in otherwise healthy people. It is associated with discomfort, mild constipation or diarrhea, burping, fatigue, or feelings of general un-wellness or just social embarrassment, Galland says.

    There are four major causes, Dr. Leo Galland, the director for the Foundation of Integrated Medicine, says:

    Intestinal Infection: The person could have an intestinal infection, brought on by a parasite like Giardia lamblia, which is commonly found in contaminated drinking water, and occasionally found in food. This often occurs in people who develop sudden bloating, along with a degree of constipation or diarrhea after a trip. Diagnosis requires a stool test at a lab experienced in testing for parasites or in tropical medicine.

    Gut Fermentation Syndrome: A disruption of the bacteria in the intestinal tract. The stomach normally has very few bacteria present — just yeast and acidophilus — but as you travel down the small intestine, which is 25 feet long, the concentration and the types of bacteria increase. The large intestine, which is five feet long and much wider than the small intestine, is filled with bacteria. All of the bacteria are kept in balance by the different types keeping each other in check, and the motility of the intestines, which keeps the contents flowing to the rectum.

    Antibiotics can disrupt the bacteria by killing some species and allowing others — yeast in particular — to flourish. Acid-lowering drugs like Prevacid and Prilosec can also make the stomach less acidic and stimulate the growth of yeast.

    The bacteria and yeast ferment sugar or starch that is eaten, producing gas. Many people with this condition feel worse when they try to eat more healthfully by having a lot of starchy, high-fiber carbohydrates and reducing fat in their diets. One example of gut fermentation is lactose intolerance, when a person lacks the enzyme needed to digest lactose. The lactose in milk, ice cream or even yogurt is fermented by intestinal bacteria, which leads to bloating, gas, pain or diarrhea.

    Most doctors will not diagnose gut fermentation syndrome, but you can test it on your own by eliminating certain foods from your diet and seeing how your body reacts. Gut fermentation syndrome occurs when the fermentation produces so much gas that there is discomfort. Try eating a diet that is free of lactose, wheat and other starchy foods like corn, rice, oats, potatoes and beans and sugar for about a week. Instead, eat poultry, fish, meat, eggs, cheese and vegetables.

    To prevent constipation, eat a lot of vegetables and have some fruit, about two pieces a day. If your bloating improves, start adding back foods to see what you can tolerate. Over-the-counter products like Pepto-Bismol, raw garlic capsules or oregano oil capsules kill bacteria and yeasts and may diminish gut fermentation. Using a Lactobacillus preparation, also called acidophilus, may help by building up some of the healthier bacteria.

    Food Allergy: A food allergy or "specific food intolerance." Some people get bloating, usually with other intestinal symptoms, or symptoms suggestive of allergy when they have specific foods.

    Intestinal Motility Disorder, a form of Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Disturbed motility in the intestines, often related to stress or genetic factors, can cause bloating as a direct symptom. Disturbed motility can also cause an imbalance of bacteria and lead to gut fermentation syndrome. If your main problem is just a motility disorder, you may be helped by eating more fiber because high-fiber foods (like bran) stimulate healthy intestinal motility; herbs like peppermint may also help (peppermint tea). If you get worse with a high-fiber diet, then, even if you have an underlying motility disorder, gut fermentation has probably developed as a result of it.

    Ref: http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=126355&page=1
  • Sunna_W
    Sunna_W Posts: 744 Member
    If it's yeast related, you can try going Paleo / Keto (high protein / fat / fiber with low carb / sugar) and take something like Five-Lac from Global Health Trax. Put it in some water, stir and drink it down. If that doesn't work, another one to try is American Health - Probiotic Acidophilus Culture - either Natural or Strawberry Flavor

    You can also try Simethicone (Gas-X) but get the capsule so it travels lower in the bowel.

    Both psyllium and rice bran will help with motility and are approved with low carb diets.

    I would only fool around with the above things for a few weeks and if they don't work make an appointment with a gastroenterologist for a consult. It could just be IBS or something more serious.
  • TheCupcakeCounter
    TheCupcakeCounter Posts: 606 Member
    I had that problem too and that is part of why I started MFP - to track my food and make sure I was getting enough fiber and water since I also have a very slow digestive tract. What I learned was that my fiber from raw fruits and veggies was too high and I didn't have enough dietary fat. I adjusted my macros (upped fat and protein by 5% each and reduced carbs 10%), started pre-logging to make sure I hit my minimum fat, protein, and fiber macros before exercise and everything has gotten a lot better. I am a lot less bloated and much more regular.
  • DJ_Skywalker
    DJ_Skywalker Posts: 420 Member
    Going lower carb, higher fat and protein definitely helps when I'm feeling fluffy
  • toxikon
    toxikon Posts: 2,383 Member
    I get bloated when I eat a lot of carbs.
  • livesinpjs
    livesinpjs Posts: 27 Member
    Stress level could play a factor in the bloating. I was dealing with it on a daily basis and it got so bad I felt like I was short of breath. Ever since I started drinking slim fast in the mornings and eating Activia with probiotics it has helped my digestion issues a lot! No more bloat for me these days.
  • Sunna_W
    Sunna_W Posts: 744 Member
    "Swallowing air" / dripping through a straw also cause it... my gastro told me that.
  • BoxerBrawler
    BoxerBrawler Posts: 2,032 Member
    Try Papaya Extract. It's a yummy little chewable that you can pick up at any CVS, Walgreens, Walmart type of store. It's awesome. Works like a charm for me. Just chew a couple after a meal and whalaa! No bloat.
  • daniellek30
    daniellek30 Posts: 171 Member
    Thank you everyone for your suggestions!
  • flutatious1
    flutatious1 Posts: 120 Member
    I get belly bloat when my eating is out of whack. Alcohol and carbs seem to make it worse. My legs and hands get swollen when my salt and or alcohol levels are higher as well. Try to cut the garbage out and eat clean for a couple of weeks. Lots of water to flush the system out.
  • MichelleSilverleaf
    MichelleSilverleaf Posts: 2,027 Member
    I would see a doctor before you try anything. It really sounds like celiac or IBS or something, but you'd benefit from getting a doctor to check you out first.
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