How to Stop Feeling Bloated
Dr. Erica Volk, ND
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What does it mean to be "bloated"?
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These are all statements I frequently hear from my patients. Bloating can mean different things to different people but in general, when we talk about bloating, we are referring to one or more of the following: |
"I'm so bloated no matter what I eat" "I look 6 months pregnant!" "My stomach is painful and bloated every day" |
- a feeling of pressure or pain in the abdomen
- abdominal swelling or distention
- a feeling of abdominal fullness that is uncomfortable
- a feeling of abdominal fullness that is accompanied by gas (belching or flatulence)
Some people are bloated all day long and others wake up with a flat stomach that grows in size and discomfort as the day goes on!
For some people, passing gas helps alleviate the pain and pressure of bloating. For others, passing gas or having a bowel movement doesn't even help.
When we overeat we might feel full and a bit uncomfortable –– this is not necessarily what we mean by bloating. In fact, it would make sense that overeating would lead to a feeling of fullness and discomfort.
Bloating, on the other hand, is discomfort or abdominal distention that occurs even if we eat a carrot, a piece of bread, or nothing at all!
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What causes bloating?
The vast majority of people I see in my practice experience bloating for one (or more) of six reasons:
Bloating is awful! It's uncomfortable and makes us grumpy! And you don't need to keep putting up with it.
There are many different ways to assess the cause of your bloating so you can treat the issue and get on with life!
- The person is eating foods they are intolerant to
- There is a bacterial imbalance or yeast overgrowth in the gut
- The person has poor "food hygiene"
- The organs of digestion aren't working properly
- There is a hormonal imbalance (think pre-menstrual bloating)
- The person's nervous system is hijacked by stress
Bloating is awful! It's uncomfortable and makes us grumpy! And you don't need to keep putting up with it.
There are many different ways to assess the cause of your bloating so you can treat the issue and get on with life!
How do I relieve my bloating?
There are a number of treatments a person can pick up at the health food store and even grocery store that can help with bloating, but seeing as I'm not your doctor and don't know you, I don't recommend going out and buying any or all of these. That said, these are some of the treatments that can often provide relief from bloating (I call these "Band-Aid solutions"):
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For some, sipping ginger or peppermint tea alone can be quite helpful. There are many "IBS" formulas or different "gas relief" commercially-available products that contain different combinations of these and similar other ingredients. These can be helpful to calm a gut that is in uproar but they don't stop the problem from coming back again and again.
How do I resolve my bloating
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Is there a lab test for bloating?
Unfortunately there's no single "bloat" lab panel but there are several different lab tests that can be helpful, depending on a person's health history and what symptoms they have. Some of the tests we might look at include:
... and more. But honestly, these are the most common tests I run that help me figure out why someone is chronically bloated.
- Liver function testing
- Testing for small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)
- Testing for intestinal yeast overgrowth
- Food sensitivity testing
- Pancreas function testing
- A comprehensive stool analysis
- Adrenal hormone testing
- Hormone testing (estrogen + progesterone)
... and more. But honestly, these are the most common tests I run that help me figure out why someone is chronically bloated.
Is it possible to resolve bloating for good?
Short answer: YES! Uncomfortable and painful symptoms are a sign something is out of balance. The body has the wisdom and capacity to heal itself. When we figure out what's blocking your healing, you can be well on your way to a flat and bloat free abdomen!
What's the best way to resolve my bloating?
If you're in BC, I can work with you in person in my Kelowna office, or you can connect with me virtually from anywhere in BC! Learn more about working with me here or book an appointment below! You can also learn more about my approach to digestive issues.
If you're outside of BC, stay tuned! I am currently working on some awesome resources that will teach you how to master your gut and resolve your bloating! To make sure you stay in the loop, be sure to sign up for my newsletter or download one (or all) of my free E-Books to get on my Gut Group mailing list! In the meantime, please feel free to check out the other free resources on gut health on my website!
If you have specific questions about digestion that you'd love to know more about, please contact me with your questions and I'll try to answer them in future posts!
**It can be difficult to find a doctor in BC and elsewhere. If you're looking for a primary care doctor in BC who is accepting new patients, I can help. If you're struggling with chronic digestive problems and looking for a doctor in BC who is an expert in digestion, I can help!