by A Morris

Created on: April 04, 2009

Abdominal bloating can be extremely uncomfortable and leave you feeling lethargic and grumpy. There are several causes of bloating, including constipation, excessive water or water retention, lack of water, poor diet and the build-up of noxious gases. However, it is possible to treat the symptoms of bloating at home, and changes to the diet may help to prevent recurrences.

Although bloating often makes a person feel full of water, it may actually signify a need for water. Water helps to soften stools so that they can be passed easily. A lack of water may result in constipation, which results in the build-up of toxins and gases in the stomach. Drink a little water regularly and it will help to loosen the stools and lessen these effects. This is one of many reasons why doctors recommend 8 glasses of water a day.

Foods such as bananas and cabbage absorb water, and can be extremely useful for dealing with the effects of water retention. Regular intake of coleslaw can be very beneficial, and it is easily incorporated into the diet. Fresh fruit and vegetables in the diet will help to keep up the body's vitamin and mineral levels, and ease the passing of food through the system. Orange or cranberry juice is also very good for bloating, as it provides essential vitamins and helps to remove toxins from the body.

Many people believe that tea and coffee are useful for constipation and digestion. Whilst this is true, it is important not to have too much. Tea contains tannin, which hardens stools and in excessive amounts may actually make the symptoms worse. Both tea and coffee are diuretics, meaning that they make you pass water more quickly. Too much tea or coffee can prevent the body from having enough time to absorb necessary water before it passes through the system. Herbal teas with no caffeine are ideal, particularly peppermint tea and fennel tea. These are known to aid digestion and contain anti-oxidants, which prevent the build-up of toxins.

Some foods create gas in the abdomen while digesting. Beans and cheese are well-known culprits. Limiting these foods to a sensible amount can help to deal with this symptom. Gases can also build up when food is not passing through the system as it should. In the case of constipation, food continues to degrade in the body and releases gases, which build up in the stomach when they cannot escape. Although it is possible to buy over-the-counter medications for trapped wind, it is advisable to find the root cause and deal with it naturally.

Regular exercise can also help to deal with bloating. Exercise aids the digestion and prevents food from sitting in the stomach for too long. You don't have to run a marathon, but regular walks especially after meals help to stimulate the digestion process. Try to eat meals early enough that your body has time to digest them before you go to bed. Going to bed on a full stomach can be very uncomfortable and lying down too soon after eating can prevent proper digestion.

If you suffer from regular digestive issues, consult your doctor. Sometimes these effects may signify a more serious underlying problem that requires medical attention.

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