Bloating can be pretty uncomfortable and may hinder your daily movements. It can make you feel like a balloon and cause laziness. It is usually a symptom of constipation. It occurs when you have difficulty passing a normal bowel every day. Constipation is a health complication on its own, and it can have multiple symptoms, including:
- Unable to pass a bowel
- Insufficient bowel movements
- Having significant pressure when passing stool
- Passing hard stool
Constipation can also keep your body from passing gas, and the longer your stool remains in the digestive tract, the more bacteria is grown. Some people have also reported back pain and excessive bloating as their symptoms of constipation. Bloating can do significant mental damage, causing pain, abdominal discomfort, anxiety, and declining quality of life.
Treating Constipation Bloating
When you have constipation bloating, the only way to eradicate it is by treating the underlying cause of your constipation. Constipation always occurs due to a reason and treating that reason can banish the bloating, making you feel light and easy.
Following are some treatment options for constipation:
Stool Softener or Fiber Supplement
Taking a stool softener or a fiber supplement will help to soften your stool, making it easier and less painful to pass. Medicines like docusate sodium, phylum, or methylcellulose are usually prescribed by primary care physicians to soften the stool and ease constipation.
Gentle Laxative
Laxatives are known to ease a hard stool and make your stomach relax. If you are constipated or have not passed a stool in 2 days or more, you can take gentle laxatives to induce a bowel movement. An example of a common gentle laxative is polyethylene glycol 3350.
Physical Activity
Engaging yourself in a routine physical activity can ease gas build-up in your digestive tract. It can also stimulate bowel movement. You should walk 30 minutes daily and incorporate some workouts to stay active and healthy.
OTC Medication
OTC medicines are widely used to reduce stomach bloating caused by constipation. Gas-X or Mylanta Gas are the two common OTC medicines used for this purpose.
Lactase Tablets
These tablets are for people with lactose intolerance. These can help your body easily digest lactose and sugar ingredients without causing any side effects, such as constipation or bloating.
If your constipation persists even after taking medicine, you can try dietary changes. A dietician can better help you detect the food items that are not suitable for you and find alternatives. This way, you can avoid any substance that may be the culprit causing constipation and bloating.
Preventing Constipation Bloating
Several lifestyle and dietary changes can be incorporated to prevent constipation and its side effects. These are:
Increased Fiber Intake
Fiber is necessary for a healthy stool as it adds volume to it, making it easier to pass. However, you cannot overdo it, as it can worsen bloating.
Increased Water Intake
When you drink more water, it adds bulk to your stool and eases its passing. It can also help to avoid constipation, and, hence bloating.
Exercise Daily
Doctors and experts emphasize exercising daily due to its multiple health benefits. Regular walking and a workout regime will help to stimulate your bowel movements. It can prevent constipation and bloating side effects.
Quit Smoking
If you are a smoker, you need to quit to prevent/treat all gastrointestinal problems. Smoking has adverse effects on your health, and it also includes your intestinal health. Excessive smoking can cause multiple intestinal problems. Therefore, you should avoid smoking or quit it completely.
Other Things that Cause Bloating
Constipation is not the only culprit for abdominal bloating. There are several other health complications that can also induce bloating as a side effect. These include:
Intestinal Bacteria
At times, bacteria in the stomach and small intestines are not enough to break down all the carbohydrates in your food. When these carbs reach your large intestine, air or gas is released which can trigger bloating.
Swallowing Air
Swallowing air by chewing gum, drinking carbonated sodas, and eating too quickly can increase air build-up in your intestinal tracts. It can further cause bloating as a side effect.
Medical Conditions
Multiple medical conditions like irritable bowel syndrome, lactose intolerance, celiac disease, and gastro esophageal reflux disease can also cause bloating in your abdomen. Treating these diseases is the only way to subside such bloating.
These are some of the ways to prevent and treat constipation bloating. It is always better to consult a professional for better guidance. Book an appointment with the best Gastroenterologist in Peshawar through Marham.