The methods you use to deal with bloating pain may depend on the cause of your discomfort, but there are some general rules of thumb to follow for nearly all conditions which cause bloating. Drink plenty of water to reduce fluid retention and avoid foods that may result in bloat, such as those which are high in sodium. You should also avoid foods which may cause gas or constipation, take over the counter medications to relieve digestion issues, and exercise regularly to loosen any excess gas and help it pass more easily.
There are many potential causes for bloat, one of which is water retention. When the body becomes dehydrated, it begins to hang on to fluids. This excess water accumulates and can cause you to feel puffy and bloated. Although this doesn’t always cause bloating pain, it may leave you feeling uncomfortable. Drinking enough water is the primary solution to dealing with water retention-related bloat.
The most common cause for bloating pain is excess gas in the digestive system. This can be present with constipation or without, and may result in a dull ache, stabbing pains, and pressure in the abdomen. You can reduce gas pressure by taking an over the counter anti-gas medication that contains simethicone or charcoal. Both of these drugs help gas to form larger bubbles which are more easily expelled from the body.
Constipation may also cause a bloated feeling, and can be reduced by taking an over the counter laxative, eating more fiber, and drinking more water. You should keep in mind that many high fiber foods are also known to cause gas production, so add them slowly into the diet to reduce excess gas. Many times constipation and gas come together, so treatment of both conditions is necessary.
To avoid bloating pain related to either constipation or intestinal gas, you should be sure to exercise regularly, avoid foods that cause problems for you, and be sure to stay adequately hydrated. You can discover your problem foods by restricting your diet for several days to only bland and easily digested items. Slowly add foods back into your diet and keep track of which ones seems to cause gas pain.
If bloating pain is a recurrent problem despite dietary changes, you may have an intestinal problem that will need to be diagnosed by a physician. Irritable bowel syndrome is one example of a condition which causes pain and bloating. Although changes in diet may help most conditions, some may require medication or other treatments.
Very rarely, bloating pain may indicate a serious medical condition. The most common is a bowel obstruction which generally comes as a result of another health problem. Crohn’s disease, colon cancer, ovarian cancer, and gallstones are all known to cause obstructions which can cause bloat. If dietary changes do not help your condition and no digestive issues are found, talk to your doctor about being tested for additional conditions.
