How to ease the pressure of your bloated stomach at home
“Try to identify what’s triggering your bloating, then you can deal with the cause,” says Dr Hicks. “If nothing is jumping out at you, chart your symptoms in a diary.”
He suggests doing this in parallel with general lifestyle adjustments:
1. Eat more fibre
It makes gas but also keeps the bowel moving – most of us don’t eat enough.
2. Drink lots of liquid
Just not fizzy or alcoholic drinks.
3. Eat slowly
And don’t talk while eating, to avoid excess air entering your body.
4. Exercise
Regular exercise is thought to help maintain your digestive system.
5. Keep stress under control
The NHS says stress can cause digestive issues.
6. Go to the loo when you need to
It’s important to respond to the call of Mother Nature straight away. Otherwise you lose the urge and stools and gas build up.
7. Peppermint tea
If you think your bloating is due to pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS), Dr Hicks says peppermint could help disperse gas.
8. Cut your salt intake
Dr Atkinson says that salt causes fluid retention, which can cause bloating.For fluid retention, also try primrose oil, vitamins E and B6.
9. Natural remedies
“Slippery elm (capsules or powder) is good,” says medical herbalist Dee Atkinson. “The benefits of this powdered bark include soothing inflammation. If constipation is the problem, psyllium husks act as a gentle laxative and work well with slippery elm.”
