Bloating and distension can come from trapped gas, stagnant stools, uterine swelling during menstruation, or other causes. The gas becomes trapped if the muscles of the abdomen are too tense, if bowel tone is too lax, if peristalsis is asynchronous, or if stagnant fecal matter is blocking the release of gas, or if there is some other obstruction.

When bloating is severe enough to cause pain, bloating can cause distension, or overstretching of the intestines. Distension can lead to permanent damage and loss of muscle tone.

The first step to healing bloating is to release the gas. Carminitives are herbs that help with downward flow of gas. Many carminitives are highly aromatic, like mint. Yoga poses such as 'wind releasing pose' can help relieve gas. Triangle pose can stretch the sides of the colon for release of gas. Try massaging the cecum, hepatic flexure, splenic flexure, sigmoid colon, and behind the pubic bone. Drink warm water. Practice contracting and releasing tension in the abdomen and pelvic floor.

The second step is to reduce the production of gas by eating a diet that is right for your constitution, by taking digestives, and perhaps anti-microbials or probiotics to regulate gut flora.

DIET REMEDIES FOR 'BLOATING / DISTENSION'

PRODUCT REMEDIES FOR 'BLOATING / DISTENSION'

AVOID DIETS, LIFESTYLES & HERBS THAT AGGRAVATE THESE EFFECTS

Symptoms Tell A Story

The first step to healing is learning patterns from your symptoms. Symptoms are clues that reveal underlying imbalances, showing you where your body is weak. Specifically, they reveal the doshas & qualities that may have become aggravated. If you notice a quality or dosha appears next to many of your symptoms, it helps you establish a pattern that may be systemic.

V = VATA, P = PITTA, K = KAPHA

GUNA	FOODS TO AVOID	DO YOU HAVE THIS IMBALANCE?
TOXIC ABOUT TOXIC GUNA A substance that causes toxicity in the body, or that harms the body. LEARN MORE ABOUT TOXIC	AVOID TOXIC FOODS THAT MAY AGGRAVATE BLOATING / DISTENSION	Status Unknown Take these quizzes to find out if you have an imbalance of 'Toxic' guna
HEAVY ABOUT HEAVY GUNA Heavy is identified by sedation, sluggishness, or increased weight. LEARN MORE ABOUT HEAVY	AVOID HEAVY FOODS THAT MAY AGGRAVATE BLOATING / DISTENSION	Status Unknown Take these quizzes to find out if you have an imbalance of 'Heavy' guna
DIFFICULT ABOUT DIFFICULT GUNA Difficult refers to anything that is difficult to digest, or takes a long time to digest. LEARN MORE ABOUT DIFFICULT	AVOID DIFFICULT FOODS THAT MAY AGGRAVATE BLOATING / DISTENSION	Status Unknown Take these quizzes to find out if you need to decrease Difficult to digest foods

To learn more about the symbols above, click on them.

SEE A DIET WHICH REMOVES THESE CAUSES

ADDRESS ISSUES IN STAGE OF DISEASE 1

If you have symptoms in this category, your body is sending you a warning sign. Since digestion is so metabolically intensive and sensitive to stress and emotions, the earliest warning signs of imbalance usually appear in the digestive tract first. You may have gas and bloating, for example, or acid reflux. Ayurveda recommends paying careful, close attention to warning signs. They indicate that an imbalance is starting to accumulate. Correct these warning signs before they accumulate further and weaken your body's resistance. This is usually accomplished by removing diet and lifestyle habits that aggravate your imbalanced doshas and qualities.

REDUCE THESE RELATED SYMPTOMS & HABITS

DO YOU WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT YOUR UNIQUE BODY?

What aggravates it? What heals it? Then get your Personal Ayurvedic Body Book! This book, written by founder and director of Joyful Belly, John Immel, is individually formatted for your unique body and will help you confidently choose food that restores your healthy glow to get you feeling like your best self. Just $19.99!

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About the Author

John Immel, the founder of Joyful Belly, teaches people how to have a healthy diet and lifestyle with Ayurveda. His approach to Ayurveda exudes a certain ease, which many find enjoyable and insightful. His online course Balance Your Ayurvedic Diet in a Week provides tools for gracefully healing with Ayurveda to thousands. John also directs Joyful Belly's School of Ayurveda , which specializes in digestive tract pathology & Ayurvedic nutrition. John and his wife Natalie recently published Explore Your Hunger: A Guide to Hunger, Appetite & Food.

John's interest in Ayurveda and digestive tract pathology was inspired by a complex digestive disorder acquired from years of international travel, including his public service work in South Asia. John's commitment to the detailed study of digestive disorders reflects his zeal to get down to the roots of the problem. His hope and belief in the capacity of each & every client to improve their quality of life is nothing short of a personal passion. John's creativity in the kitchen and delight in cooking for others comes from his family oriented upbringing. In addition to his certification in Ayurveda, John holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Harvard University.

John enjoys sharing Ayurveda within the context of his Catholic roots, and finds Ayurveda gives him an opportunity to participate in the healing mission of the Church. Jesus expressed God's love by feeding and healing the sick. That kindness is the fundamental ministry of Ayurveda as well.

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