Let's Beat the Bloat.

As well as suffering from Crohn's Disease do you ever experience that uncomfortable bloated, puffy feeling? If you experience bloating on a regular basis you would know that it’s uncomfortable, can often be embarrassing and sometimes even painful. Having a bloated stomach isn’t normal, and luckily there are lots of natural tools you can utilise to help your stomach and improve your gut health enabling you to feel great inside and out.

Here are some great tips from the Team at Changing Habits. 
 
1. Stay hydrated
​
Most people don’t drink enough filtered water during the day, and it’s a critical component to stay hydrated. Water will help to flush out waste and toxins, keep you hydrated as well as helping to remove excess salt from your system.
 
2. Lemon & Ginger Tea

Drinking a glass of warm lemon water or tea first thing in the morning, is a great way to improve your digestion as it aids your liver to detoxify the body. It also acts as a natural diuretic so reduces water retention. By adding ginger to your tea, you will reap the anti-inflammatory and digestive benefits that will soothe the GI tract and reduce bloating.
 
3. Eat asparagus

Asparagus helps to flush out excess water and reduces bloating. It’s also great for digestive health.

​​4. Eat more Inca Inchi Oil
​
Inca Inchi oil is one of the richest sources of essential fatty acids and has the perfect balance of Omega 3-6-9. Omegas 3’s are particularly helpful for reducing inflammation and boosting the immune system. As Inca Inchi Oil comes from a seed it means that it’s a plant based, sustainable and ethical product that prevents over fishing of the oceans. You can make a beautiful mayonnaise or pesto with the Inca Inchi oil as well as drizzling it onto your meals.

5. Eliminate sugar free food/drinks and artificial sweeteners 

It’s best to completely avoid Sorbitol, Maltitol and other artificial sweeteners, which are frequently found in sugar free foods, diet drinks and chewing gums. We are unable to digest them fully so it results in intensifying gas, pain, bloating discomfort and can even cause diarrhoea.
 
6. Eliminate carbonated drinks 
​
Fizzy drinks contain carbon dioxide which gives the drink its ‘fizziness’ or ‘bubbles’. The bubbles enter your digestive tract and can often make bloating issues worse by distending your belly even further which causes even more discomfort. If you suffer from bloating issues, it’s best to drink filtered water and herbal tea.

7. Eliminate gluten and wheat completely 
​
Many people are diagnosed with celiac disease or can be intolerant or sensitive to gluten (a protein in wheat, spelt, barley and some other grains), leaving them feeling uncomfortable, sometimes with painful and frustrating bloating. When people who suffer from gluten intolerance or sensitivity eat gluten; the gluten triggers an autoimmune response within their body damaging the small intestine lining.
 
As the small intestine lining becomes more and more damaged, the intestines are unable to digest food as well as they should. This results in a series of uncomfortable symptoms, including gas, pain and bloating. These symptoms can grow more and more severe if left untreated. It’s important to avoid gluten and wheat completely for at least 3 months (or longer) so your body can begin its natural healing process.

What else can you do to beat the bloat?
​

• Eat slowly
• Chew your foods well
• Chew mindfully
• Sit up straight
• Eat at the table or outside in nature and away from your computer/work desk/phone
• Don’t over eat, stop when you feel truly satisfied
• Don’t eat when you’re stressed or upset (calm yourself down first)
• Maintain a regular dinner time and try to eat no later than 7pm so you can allow your body to have plenty of ‘rest and digest’ time before you go to sleep
• Massage your stomach in the direction of your GI tract, the gentle movement can help to evacuate some of the gas in your stomach

 
If you have tried these methods before and have had no relief, then you may need further help and support with your bloating, flatulence, stomach pains, regular bowel motions and/or other digestive issues.

If you have any more questions then please free to email me at mycrohnsdoctor@gmail.com or visit my Facebook Page at My Crohn's Doctor. 
​
Yours in Health and Wellness
Dr Michael

​My Crohn's Doctor
www.mycrohnsdoctor.com
​
LEGAL DISCLAIMER - This article (including links to any/all website pages, blog posts, blog comments, forum, videos, audio recordings, etc.) is not intended to replace the services of a physician, nor does it constitute a doctor-patient relationship. Information is provided for informational  purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. You should not use the information for diagnosing or treating a medical or health condition. If you have or suspect you have an urgent medical problem, promptly contact your professional healthcare provider. Any application of the recommendations in this blog post is at the reader's discretion. My Crohn's Doctor and Dr Michael are not liable for any direct or indirect claim, loss or damage resulting from use of this blog. Readers should consult their own physicians concerning the recommendations in this article.