The issue of bloating causes discomfort for many people, similar to the problems of acne and ingrown hairs, leading many to continually seek treatments to avoid the pain associated with this bloating.
Identifying the primary cause of bloating can be challenging due to the numerous factors contributing to it. While food is often seen as the main culprit, other unexpected causes may also be behind it. Here are eight reasons for bloating that are not related to food:
1. **Air Travel**: Traveling by plane can cause gas expansion in the intestines, leading to the need for some to loosen their pants. Experts recommend maintaining certain practices while flying, such as drinking plenty of water and avoiding unhealthy meals offered by the flight crew. Peppermint tea or peppermint capsules can also be helpful.
2. **Medications**: Experts indicate that medications ranging from antibiotics to pain relievers and birth control pills may cause bloating. It is advised to take probiotic supplements to counteract the effects of these medications along with increasing water intake.
3. **Neglecting Exercise**: It's well-known that a sedentary lifestyle can slow down digestion; thus, exercising is crucial to enhancing the digestive system's performance.
4. **Eating Too Quickly**: This common mistake should be avoided, as experts advise taking time while eating to prevent excessive air from being swallowed, which can lead to bloating.
5. **Not Drinking Water Directly from a Cup**: Sipping from a long-necked bottle tends to lead to more air intake compared to drinking from a cup directly.
6. **Chewing Gum or Sucking on Hard Candy**: Both can cause additional air to enter the stomach, resulting in bloating, which should be noted and avoided.
7. **Drinking Cold Water**: Consuming cold water can slow down digestion and force the body to expend more energy to absorb the cold water. Additionally, icy water can dilute stomach acids, further slowing digestion and increasing bloating.
8. **Hormones**: Fluctuations in sex hormone levels during menstruation can affect water filtration in the kidneys, leading to water retention beyond the usual amounts.
