Six plants against bloating and swollen belly

Nobody likes to feel bloated. It is uncomfortable, painful and often embarrassing. Bloating can be caused by a number of things. Some causes can be corrected with a lifestyle change, such as a change in diet, while others are a bit more complicated.

If you suffer from excessive bloating, it could be a sign of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth or SIBO. Too much bacteria moving through your small intestine can end up fermenting the traveling food, causing gas and gastric bloating.

In mild cases, SIBO causes stomach bloating only after eating. But in moderate to severe cases, SIBO can cause constipation, diarrhea, and irritable bowel syndrome. Severe SIBO can lead to chronic diarrhea, unwanted weight loss, and anemia.

SIBO can be caused by several different factors. If you constantly struggle with stomach bloating, consider talking to your doctor about some of the following causes:

Low stomach acid

Stomach acid helps you digest your food. It also acts as a disinfectant to prevent harmful bacteria from entering your gut. Low levels can end up causing SIBO.

Antacids

Antacids can help relieve heartburn, but they also weaken your body's ability to digest food. Constant or long-term use of antacids or proton pump inhibitors, including Nexium and Prilosec, can cause SIBOs.

Previous surgeries

Previous surgeries in the abdominal area can increase your chances of developing SIBO. The healing process of surgery can lead to small adhesion formations as the scars heal, which can eventually affect normal bowel function.

Slow transit time

Some people develop SIBO due to low transit time. This means that food takes longer than usual to move through the gastrointestinal tract. When food is left sitting in the small intestine for long periods of time, bacteria can feed and ferment in the undigested food, causing gas and bloating.

Environmental factors

Diet often plays an important role in stomach bloating. If you regularly eat meat that contains antibiotic residues, excess bacteria could grow in your gut, causing SIBO.

Herbs That Help Reverse Bloating

Peppermint leaf

Peppermint works wonders for relieving stomach bloating, thanks to its natural muscle-relaxing properties. Simply make peppermint tea with fresh peppermint leaves and drink to help relieve the painful and irritating symptoms of bloating.

horse chestnut

Horse chestnut contains a natural antibacterial known as saponin, which helps reduce gas production. To use horse chestnut for bloating, look for it in supplement form. The raw form contains a toxic compound.

Ginger

Ginger is known for its ability to soothe upset stomachs. It has the ability to calm intestinal activity while expelling gas from the digestive tract. Make ginger tea with fresh ginger root and lemon to reduce bloating symptoms.

Garlic

Garlic helps stimulate digestion, which helps the body pass gas and cleanse the digestive system. If you're using fresh garlic to relieve bloating, consider following it up with fresh parsley to freshen your breath!