Think you’ve got IBS? We reveal what might be causing those troubling symptoms and how to stop them
If you find yourself often feeling bloated and sluggish you might just have Irritable Bowel Syndrome
SICK of feeling bloated and sluggish? You might assume you have Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).
Here, KIM PEARSON reveals what else could be causing it.
LACK OF GOOD GUT BACTERIA: Beneficial bacteria line our gut wall and are important for many aspects of health. One of their roles is to help our digestion of food.
If we don’t have enough of these bacteria, digestion can be compromised which leads to bloating.
Many things can contribute to low levels of good gut bacteria.
When we take antibiotics they not only kill off the bad bacteria that they are designed to, but can also destroy our gut bacteria, too.
It’s not uncommon to suffer with bloating after a course of antibiotics. Thankfully we can replenish our good bacteria with a probiotic supplement.
NOT CHEWING FOOD PROPERLY: Digestion starts in the mouth. Chewing breaks down our food as well as combining it with saliva, which contains the digestive enzyme amylase.
Many of us eat too quickly and don’t chew our food thoroughly, which can hamper digestion and trigger bloating.
MOST READ IN FABULOUS
Aim to chew each mouthful 30 times. You might have to count in your head to start with but it will soon be a habit.
YOU’RE OVEREATING: It’s not surprising that eating too much can cause your tummy to bloat.
It takes time for our brain to register that our stomach is full so slow down your eating.
As well as chewing thoroughly, putting down your knife and fork between mouthfuls can help slow you down. Aim to eat until you’re 80 per cent full, never stuffed.
IT’S THAT TIME OF THE MONTH: Fluctuations in hormones can cause water retention and bloating in women around the time of their period.
Maintaining a healthy diet (and not overdoing the chocolate) can help to reduce symptoms.
You can try taking the herbal supplement agnus castus, which has been used for years to help relieve symptoms of PMS.
YOU HAVE A FOOD SENSITIVITY: Certain types of food can trigger bloating in some people.
Keep a food diary and note down what you eat and when you experience bloating. This will help you find any links between certain foods and your condition. Wheat products (such as bread and pasta) and dairy products (such as milk) are common culprits.
If you notice a particular type of food is causing your bloating, try cutting it out for a while to see if that helps.