BLOATING / DISTENSIONWHAT DOES IT MEAN? WHAT'S CAUSING IT? WHAT CAN YOU DO?
Are you prone to a problem with 'Bloating / distension'?
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. STAGE OF DISEASE 1 - AFFECTING DIGESTIONIf 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.ARE YOU NEW TO AYURVEDA?Are you wondering what Ayurveda is and how to use it for 'Bloating / distension' and health in general? LEARN MOREFAVOR HERBS WITH THESE MEDICINAL PROPERTIESIngredient and herbs each have unique effects on the various organs of your body. Herbalists study these effects and categorize them, so it is easy to identify which foods and herbs are most helpful for your unique body type. Click on the medicinal properties below to learn more about them, and to figure out which recipes, ingredients and products will be a good match for you. Individual results will vary depending upon the root cause of your imbalance. The following medicinal properties are useful for a general case of 'Bloating / distension'. You must independently verify whether these medicinal properties address the root causes of your case of Bloating / distension.Digestion: Antispasmodic , ANTISPASMODICHerbs that reduce or inhibit muscle spasms or cramping, such as in asthma, colic or IBS.Carminative , CARMINATIVEStimulates the release of gas. Helpful for bloating or cramping abdominal pain. Propels food downward.Digestive DIGESTIVEHerbs that encourage healthy digestive.Immune System: Antimicrobial ANTIMICROBIALAn agent that kills microorganisms or inhibits their growth. Antimicrobial is an umbrella term that can be broken down into specific categories of target microorganism, such as anti-bacterials, fungals, and virals.Bowel-Poop-Elimination: General Laxative GENERAL-LAXATIVEPromotes a bowel movement. General laxative is an umbrella term that refers to several different types of laxatives...Click here for general Digestion Tips
DISCLAIMER: The pathogenesis of each person's condition is unique, and so the diet must be fit to the individual and the unique root causes of the condition in your body. The best way to do this is with a one on one consultation. DIET REMEDIES FOR 'BLOATING / DISTENSION'PRODUCTS REMEDIES FOR 'BLOATING / DISTENSION'1. EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES FOR BLOATING / DISTENSIONBrowse these educational resources for 'Bloating / distension'.2. SPECIALITY FORMULAS FOR BLOATING / DISTENSIONWe've specially chosen these products because of their potential for healing imbalances associated with 'Bloating / distension'. Choose a product from this list that also matches your imbalanced doshas and qualities, to ensure a good fit. Please review these products to determine which are right for you. Before making any changes to your health and wellness routine, please check with your medical doctor.LOOKING FOR DIGESTION RELATED PRODUCTS?
See our herbs & products in these categories:
REMOVE THE CAUSES OF YOUR IMBALANCEBLOATING / DISTENSION USUALLY MEANS THESE |
GUNA | DO YOU HAVE THIS IMBALANCE? |
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![]() Status UnknownTake these quizzes to find out if you have an imbalance of 'Toxic' guna |
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![]() Status UnknownTake these quizzes to find out if you have an imbalance of 'Heavy' guna |
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![]() Status UnknownTake these quizzes to find out if you need to decrease Difficult to digest foods |
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Are you prone to a problem with 'Bloating / distension'?
Find your imbalances and create a diet for your Digestion by taking the
free digestion quiz.
On Joyful Belly, we've created an extensive categorization of food so you can easily match food to your imbalances (gunas). By eating an optimal diet that balances your gunas, your whole body is strengthened and the conditions that created the disorder are removed. Once the root causes of the disease are removed, the disease lessens in strength or disappears altogether. Additional remedies - such as herbs and lifestyle practices - focused on the specific disorder, can greatly enhance your healing.
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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