Moms, I have a dilemma. This question is for my sister and I. I for the first time this week was very bloated (over 40). My stomach was puffy all day (from under my breast all the way down to under my navel). This is an uncomfortable feeling. Generally when I walk to the rest room I can hold my stomach in and it appears to be flat, well I was so bloated that I could not do that. My younger sister made the comment "you look pregnant". I was really miserable and called my older sister (6 years older). My sister says that it gets worse as you get older, but she has the same problem. I drank vinegar and water and went to bed. It seemed to go away and then come back the next day. I would like some solutions for this, preferably natural, or something that I do not have to take every day, i.e. gas-x or beano. Has anyone experienced this and what did you do to ease or get rid of it. I usually eat a lot of small meals through out the day. I can usually eat fruit really well, but yesterday I had an apple, grapes and blueberries (spread throughout the day). The fruit seemed to make me bloated as well. I was hoping someone could shed some light on this "lovely bloated time" in my life.
Ladies, I thank you all for the great responses. It started me thinking if nothing else. I used several of the suggestions. I was already taking probiotics (approx 1 month) so I started eating pineapple and grapefruit more. Those fruits do make you belch and so does that baking soda (oh my). :) I also made an appointment with my doctor and discussed the issues and had a full physical done. Thank God, no cancer or Celiac. Seems to be a bit of IBS. So I'm going to watch what I eat and continue to research a few things. I truly enjoy this website. Thanks again.
Yes, please get tested for ovarian cancer. The earliest symptom is often sudden and severe bloating. The bloating tends to come and go seemingly randomly, and is very sudden in its onset. Other warning signs include decreased appetite, constipation, and feeling full after just a few bites of food. Better safe than sorry!
I have the same problem. (age 32) I've always had a flat stomach and since the beginning of the year I've been bloated to the point I bought pregnancy tests because I too thought I might be pregnant despite the fact I'm on the pill and still cycling.
I did research and decided to add pro-biotics to my diet. You can go to sprouts and in the dairy section there are "attune" chocolate bars or granola bars...they are kind of pricey, BUT much cheaper than ordering online. About 6 days in my digestive system started to rebalance itself and the gas/bloating has subsided.
Now every morning I have a chocolate bar or granola bar for breakfast and I'm set. Even my kids eat them. 5x the amount of probiotics than I think 12 things of yogurt...I was a skeptic, but now a believer. Flatter stomach, more regulated digestive system, and my hunger has been curbed as well.
You can call Sprouts and ask to speak to the dairy manager and they can specifically order the flavor of your choice. If you buy the whole case (7 small bars) you get a 10% discount. So for $10 or less, you get an entire weeks worth of digestive health.
For additional research: http://www.attunefoods.com/
Not to freak you out, but the one thing that concerns me is that this is so uncharacteristic and sudden to you. I would go to my physician, just to be on the safe side. I know that ovarian cancer is very hard to catch early because it has very unspecific symptoms, but one of them is bloating. Since you've never had it before, I think it merits a doctor visit. By the way, my husband is an internist.
Other than that, I don't always eat well, but I take psyllium fiber capsules every night and drink those little yogurt drinks often to try to keep my system running well. Milk doesn't sit well with me anymore, so when I really want some, I just take a Beano with it, and I don't seem to get gassy.
Hi K.. I am 54 and have the same problem. I take one teaspoon and baking soda in 4oz. of water and it helps a lot. Be sure you stir it up very well until it is all desovled. Also, be sure you are at a place (home is where I prefer) when you take it that you can belch very loudly. LOL.
Hope this helps.
S. L.
your digestive enzymes are probably slowing down. You can take probiotic supplements each day or drink them in tiny liquid yogurts. Also as women age we become sensitive to gluten. You might try to have a gluten free diet for a few days and see if thats it. You can tell almost immediately. There are even bread products now that are gluten free. You have to look in the frozen food area. Also walking or some type of aerobic activity each day for at least 30 minutes becomes a must @ this time of life to ease digestive discomforts!
Certain foods will cause this problem for me. I absolutely cannot eat collard greens, and some dried fruits, also. I am gluten sensitive and find I have far less gas since I went gluten-free last February.
K.,
I've had that issue for years. My stomach would look like I was 6 month pregnant. I used to pop Gas-X like candy and it eventually stopped working. I've been to a gasternologist (sp?) and was told I have Irritable Bowel Syndrome and they had me on a medicine that eventually the FDA recalled.
The thing that I found that takes my bloating all the way a way on regular basis is protein shakes and fiber booster from Arbonne. I also do a 7 day cleanse every month or every other month which helps.
If you'd like more information please let me know.
Take care and God bless!
M.
get tested for Celiac. Basiacally it is the gluten free diet. Not fun but half of america has it and does not know. We are in the process of having to deal with it with my husband. There is a huge list of syptoms but it does not mean you would experience all of them. People will go their whole life and not realize that they do infact have a problem.
K.,
Is the problem is new? Did it occur after eating? If it only occurs after eating then I would guess a certain food to be the culprit. However I wouldn't assume anything if this has never happened before. Get yourself checked out by a doctor.
If the doctor tells you it is gas and not to worry then I agree probiotics and prebiotics could help. A digestive enzyme might help as well.
Pre and Probiotics: http://www.shaklee.net/healinghappens/product/80638
Digestive Enzyme: http://www.shaklee.net/healinghappens/product/20633
Take care of yourself......get checked out.
Hi K.,
Try taking digestive enzymes and probiotics. They should help get your digestion working again. I would avoid breads or wheat too, to see if that has anything to do with it. As we age, we produce fewer and fewer enzymes that help us break down our food, that is why most of us should be taking digestive enzymes with our food to help break it down. However, if you eat a mostly raw (uncooked) foods diet then the enzymes are usually present to help you break them down. Pineapple, grapefruit and papaya naturally have a lot of enzymes in them, so you could always load up on those. Hope that helps!
