Abdominal Bloating: Causes and Treatment

We live in an era marked by rush, stress and a lack of time. Today, we spend more hours away from home, which is why we turn more often to ultra-processed foods and dedicate less time or attention to our eating habits. All of this can directly affect our digestive health. In fact, current scientific evidence links the frequent consumption of ultra-processed foods, stress and certain lifestyle habits to alterations in the intestinal microbiota, chronic inflammation and the appearance of digestive symptoms such as abdominal bloating, gas or alterations in intestinal transit.

The feeling of belly bloating or abdominal inflammation is becoming more and more common and can significantly affect well-being and quality of life. In today’s post, we tell you what the main causes of abdominal bloating are, how to relieve it and which products can help you improve these digestive discomforts.

What is abdominal bloating?

Abdominal bloating is the feeling of increased volume, pressure or heaviness in the abdomen. This abdominal inflammation can also be accompanied by other symptoms such as:

• Abdominal distension.
• Gas.
• Pain or digestive discomfort.
• Feeling of a hard or inflamed abdomen.

Causes of abdominal bloating

There are different causes of abdominal bloating, and although in many cases it is related to diet, this is not always the case.

1. Diet and daily habits

Eating quickly, excessive consumption of carbonated drinks or a diet rich in ultra-processed foods can promote the build-up of gas and abdominal inflammation.

2. Alterations in the intestinal microbiota

An imbalance in the microbiota can cause digestive problems, excessive fermentation and abdominal bloating and gas.

3. Stress and anxiety

The intestine and the nervous system are closely related; therefore, situations of sustained stress can worsen digestion and promote inflammation in the abdomen.

4. Hormonal changes

Abdominal bloating in women is especially common during menstruation, pregnancy or menopause, due to hormonal changes.

5. Food intolerances

Lactose, fructose or gluten intolerance can cause gas, pain and abdominal bloating that does not go away.

Abdominal bloating that does not go away, what to do?

Although in many cases abdominal bloating is something occasional, when it appears frequently or lasts over time, it can significantly affect well-being and quality of life.

This abdominal bloating that does not go away may be related to digestive disorders such as food intolerances, imbalances in the intestinal microbiota, constipation, irritable bowel syndrome or even digestive inflammatory processes.

For this reason, if the feeling of abdominal inflammation is frequent or appears together with other symptoms, it is always advisable to consult a healthcare professional to assess each case individually.

Treatment for abdominal bloating

The treatment will depend on the cause. In many cases, this abdominal inflammation can improve with changes in daily habits such as:

• Eating slowly and chewing well.
• Reducing ultra-processed foods and fizzy drinks.
• Gradually increasing fibre intake.
• Maintaining good hydration.
• Doing physical activity regularly.
• Supporting the balance of the intestinal microbiota with specific probiotics.

However, when the discomfort is more frequent and persistent, in addition to reviewing diet and daily habits, we can turn to specific products that help improve digestion, reduce gas and support intestinal balance. Probiotics and specific supplements for abdominal bloating and gas can become a good support to relieve this discomfort and improve digestive well-being.

We suggest 3 effective options available at FarmaciasDirect:

Aboca Colilen IBS

Aboca Colilen IBS is a natural product formulated to help relieve digestive discomforts such as abdominal bloating, tension, gas or intestinal discomfort. Its formula helps protect the intestinal mucosa and supports the balance of the digestive system, helping to improve abdominal comfort and reduce the feeling of inflammation.

Pranarôm Digest Transit

Pranarôm Digest Transit is a supplement formulated with essential oils and plant extracts that helps support intestinal transit and improve heavy digestions. It can be a useful option in cases of belly bloating associated with slow digestion or a feeling of heaviness.

HerbalGem Stomagem spray

HerbalGem Stomagem spray combines natural extracts and essential oils to relieve digestive discomforts such as gas, heaviness or digestive irritation. It comes in an innovative spray format that is very practical to use at any time of the day.

These products can help improve abdominal bloating and digestive discomforts, but please remember that they are not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding, so it is important to consult a healthcare professional beforehand in these cases.