Abdominal discomfort, gas, distension, and stomach pain are the common symptoms of bloating. There are many reasons for bloating that are considered before a variety of assessment and treatments are used. No matter what the cause of bloating is always important to look at diet. The approach is to look at the following causes

including:

1. Digestive concerns

Food intolerances are often thought to be the cause of bloating. This may be the case, however the underlying cause may actually be intestinal permeability and the need to strengthen the gut lining and re-establish imbalances in gut bacteria. Further, eating a diverse diet and a wide range of fiber sources provides fuel the gut bacteria needs to grow and repopulate.

2. Health issues

Constipation, incomplete evacuation, or diarrhea may be causing the bloat. If this is the cause, better movement of the bowels is encouraged and supplementation is used.

When gluten-containing foods such as barley, wheat, rye are not tolerated, celiac disease is investigated. Blood tests can diagnose this.

If you have difficulty digesting fats, functioning of the liver and gallbladder is assessed as an underlying concern. Healthy sleep habits help organs of detoxification and digestion, such as the liver and gallbladder to rest and function optimally.

3. Lack of relaxation

The gut is lined with nerves. When you experience stress, you send distress signals to your gut, causing symptoms like nausea and digestive upset. That's the brain affecting the state of your gut. Thus, the gut and mind are interconnected. * You digest when you are in a relaxed state before, during, and after eating. In addition to relaxation, being outdoors provides other benefits such as exposure to a variety soil and plant beneficial bacteria.

4. Hormones

Hormones can be an underlying cause especially if bloating occurs around perious during menopause. Female patterns of excess such as polycystic ovary syndrome,

fibroids, endometriosis and irregular menses are associated with bloatmy.

Moreover, if you don't get enough sleep, your stress hormone cortisol rises which can cause issues like belly bloat.

Assessment

If diet change and stress reduction does not sufficiently reduce the bloating symptom, further assessment is done. Some tests that may be considered include:

· Diet and food intolerances

· Impact of stress

· Other health concerns

· Hormone test

· Treatment

· The gentlest treatment is used first to support the body's own ability to heal.

· Dietary change, food elimination, supplementation, hydrotherapy, herbs and or acupuncture, may be used. You are treated individually according to your root cause of bloating.

Where can I get more information on beating the bloat?

Go to our website and look up Dr. Heidi Breiter ND, who is trained naturopathic doctor.

IG: @dr.breiter 

E-mail: heidi@drbretier.com

References

*https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5808284/