Well... It's that period of the month, I can't wear my fitted dresses because my stomach keeps bulging in layers. I didn't wrong anyone, I'm just freaking bloated! The pecks of being a woman.
Well, everyone gets bloated anyways.
Over the years, bloating has been a cause of discomfort for everyone who has experienced it. Because not only does it feel uncomfortable, it is not very pleasing to the eyes as well as—(I'd rather sport a flat tummy under that dress thank you very much).
Which is why today I will be writing about bloating, why we get bloated and ways to reduce our chances of being bloated.
✷what does it mean to be bloated?✷
Sometimes referred to, but not the same as, water retention, bloating is when your stomach feels swollen—i know! It's as simple as that.
This can be as a result of a large amount of food in the stomach, the accumulation of gases, the retention of water in the stomach as mentioned above, or it can be as a result of muscle movements in your digestive tract.
✷But why exactly do we get bloated?✷
Here are the most common reasons why we experience a bloated stomach.
⊙ Increased sensitivity: In this case, we might not actually have anything in our stomach. We just feel as though there is something in your stomach.
⊙ Eating too much at a time: We all feel very uncomfortable when we've taken much more than we can handle.
⊙ Intolerance to certain foods or food allergies: I myself am quite lactose intolerant, and can experience bloating anytime I consume it.
⊙ Swallowing air or gases: And yes it's a thing. Anytime we take carbonated drinks, carbon dioxide is released from it as it reaches our stomach. Also, talking while eating or just chewing gum can also cause the swallowing of air. All these cumulate to that feeling of pressure in our stomach that we call bloating.
⊙ Irritable bowel syndrome IBS: It explains itself in its name. It is quite common and people with IBS tend to experience bloating as one of its symptoms.
⊙ It's no news to any of us that Beans or gassy vegetables such as (broccoli, cabbage, asparagus, cauliflower among others) are some of the most popular causes of bloating as well.
⊙ Or it could be a sign of something more serious like a gastrointestinal disease.
✷How to avoid and reduce bloating?✷
Now, seeing that practically every little thing we do can cause us to get bloated, in what ways can we reduce our chances of getting bloated as well as reduce already existent bloatedness?
Well, there are some helpful tips. . . keep reading!
メ Go slow with carbonated drinks.
メ Also slow down with the chewing gums. Ratatata😉
メ If you already have a sensitive stomach, it is advisable to eat smaller portions of food to prevent that stuffed feeling.
メ Have a food diary if you've noticed that certain foods can cause you to be bloated. Take note of these foods and reduce intake.
メ Avoid foods that cause you to feel gassy. These include leguminous foods, and yes—eggs!:)
メ A low FODMAP diet is advised for people with IBS.
NOTE: FODMAP is an acronym for "Fermentable Oligo-, Di-, Mono-saccharides And Polyols". it refers to a group of short-chain carbohydrates that are not easily absorbed by the intestine. They tend to cause discomfort in some people, especially those with IBS. Some high FODMAP foods include: wheat, onions, garlic, apples, etc.
メ Cut down on the sodium chloride as this causes the body to retain water and brings about a bloated feeling in the stomach as well as other parts of the body.
メ Drink water: this sometimes helps with bloating caused by the gases released from carbonated drinks.
メ Peppermint oil capsules can also be helpful for indigestion and related gassy feelings. It is usually marketed as a treatment for the symptoms of IBS, but people without IBS can also use them to relieve bloating.
メ Mild to moderate exercise has also proven to provide relief from bloatedness and is a widely common remedy.
メ Visit a doctor to check for underlying causes.
Now you can absolutely rock those body tight clothes like the Royalty you truly are👑
Fun facts:
❥To know when to mate, a male giraffe will continuously headbutt the female in the bladder until she urinates. The male then tastes the pee and that helps it determine whether the female is ovulating.
11 Comments
This was truly helpful, thanks
ReplyDeleteThanks, I'm glad you enjoyed it.
DeleteAlso, could you do a blog post on love?. . .I think I've got a crush on someone 😍
ReplyDeleteI would definitely work on something closely related.
DeleteFingers crossed.
Really cool stuff
ReplyDeleteThank you, Chidinma.
DeleteWow! Never knew Chewing bubble gum could cause bloating. It has mostly helped me in reducing constipation.
ReplyDeleteGreat piece Glorychy.
Chewing gum has been proven to stimulate bowel movements by increasing the production of gastric juices without having to digest any food. However, it causes bloating as well.
DeleteThank you.
The write up was a heart warming one .. bravo
ReplyDeleteBravo
ReplyDeleteThank you.
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