Treatment of bloating: medicamentous and folk remedies, diet
Abdominal distension( flatulence) - is one of the most common symptomsDiseases of the digestive tract, which is a frequent complaint of patients of any age. Sometimes the formation of gases in the intestine can be so pronounced that it worsens the quality of life. In such cases, it is possible to alleviate the condition of a person by proper nutrition and medication for bloating.
Increased gas production is most common in patients with irritable bowel syndrome, therefore, for treatment of bloating, drugs from this disease are used.
Treatment of bloating
Many people with flatulence are interested in what to treat bloating, how to eliminate the increased formation of gas in the intestines at home. Cope with these problems can be through proper nutrition and changes in lifestyle.
If non-pharmacological approaches are not able to radically alleviate the patient's condition, you must use medicines. The choice of a suitable preparation is carried out by a doctor who takes into account the causes of bloating.
Diet
Proper nutrition is the main method of combating bloating and it should be tried before treating bloating with medicines. It's not a secret for anyone that certain products increase the formation of gases in the intestine. Their use leads to worsening of the symptoms of bloating.
Such products belong to:
- Beans.
- Cabbage. Beans( peas, soybeans).
- .
- Cauliflower.
- Broccoli.
- Lentil.
- Brussels sprouts.
- Raisins.
- Onions.
When used, the stomach begins to swell more strongly. To the increased gas formation can lead also the use of insoluble fiber, which is contained, mainly, in whole grains.
Patients with bloating should try:
- There are small portions, distributing meals throughout the day. Instead of three you can try to eat five times a day.
- Is slower, slowly.
- Avoid eating foods that excessively stimulate the intestines, refuse fatty and fried foods.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Restrict the use of coffee and tea.
- To reduce the consumption of alcoholic and carbonated beverages.
Scientists have found that products containing short-chain carbohydrates( monosaccharides, disaccharides and oligosaccharides) can worsen the condition of people with bloating. These substances are poorly absorbed in the small intestine and are quickly fermented by bacteria with the release of a large number of gases.
Foods rich in short-chain carbohydrates:
- Apples.
- Artichoke.
- Artificial sweeteners.
- Beans.
- Cashew.
- Cauliflower.
- Dried fruits.
- Garlic and onions.
- Corn syrup.
- Med.
- Ice cream.
- Mushrooms.
- Pistachio.
- Watermelon.
- Products made from wheat, barley or rye.
Products with a low short-chain carbohydrate content:
- Almond, coconut, rice and soy milk.
- Bananas.
- Blueberries.
- Carrots.
- Cucumbers.
- Grapes.
- Oats.
- Potatoes.
- Fig.
- Spinach, cabbage and other leafy vegetables.
- Mandarins.
- Tomatoes.
Anti-foaming agents
One of the first medicines used to treat flatulence and bloating was the defoamer Simethicone, which is a derivative of silicone and a surface active agent. Scientific studies have shown that Simethicone, which is the active ingredient of a number of drugs, significantly reduces the incidence and severity of abdominal distention symptoms in patients with irritable bowel syndrome and other functional diseases of the digestive tract.
Simethicone is a defoamer that reduces the surface tension of gas bubbles, which results in their integration into larger bubbles. Due to this, gases can easily escape from the intestine. Simethicone does not reduce or prevent the formation of gases in the digestive tract, it improves its excretion from the intestine.
This drug has been successfully used for many years to treat bloating in adults and children. Side effects from its use in recommended doses are very rare.
Enterosorbents
The most famous enterosorbent is Activated Carbon. It is a black powder that has excellent absorption properties and can limit the toxicity of many chemicals that enter the digestive tract. Activated charcoal is often used for poisoning.
The drug can absorb not only toxic substances, but also less harmful acids and gases accumulating in the intestine. They can cause upset stomach, heartburn and bloating. Activated carbon tablets absorb these gases, which weaken the symptoms of flatulence.
The product has no taste and smell, doctors recommend drinking it with a glass of water. The use of other beverages can reduce the effectiveness of the drug. For the treatment of bloating, it is recommended to drink 2-3 tablets 3 times a day.
Activated carbon and other enterosorbents can also absorb nutrients with the same efficacy as toxins. Therefore, these drugs should not be taken for the purpose of permanent treatment of bloating. It is necessary to carefully follow the doctor's recommendations about the dose and the frequency of intake of enterosorbents.
Side effects of these drugs may include constipation, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea. It is also recommended to take a break in several hours between taking enterosorbents and any other medicines.
Treatment with such drugs is most often prescribed with a combination of bloating and diarrhea.
Drugs affecting intestinal motility
They can be divided into two groups:
- means enhancing motor( prokinetics);
- means, weakening the motor skills( antispasmodics).
Prokinetics have traditionally been used to treat bloating. They increase the frequency and strength of contractions of the muscles of the intestine, without disturbing their rhythm. Most often appoint Metoclopramide and Domperidone, but the effectiveness of these drugs with flatulence remains low.
The agents used in irritable bowel syndrome, Linaclotype and Lubiprostone, are more active. These drugs are best used to treat the combination of bloating and constipation, as they have a pronounced laxative effect.
Antibiotics
Sometimes bloating is caused by excessive multiplication of pathological bacteria in the intestine. In such cases, doctors can prescribe antibiotic treatment that is not absorbed into the bloodstream from the digestive tract. Rifaximin is most often used in such situations. Studies have shown that taking this medication significantly alleviates the condition of patients with bloating in irritable bowel syndrome. Since any antibiotic can cause serious side effects, the course of treatment with them should be as short as possible.
Probiotics
Changing the normal composition of the intestinal microflora can lead to abdominal distention, so many doctors believe that its recovery with probiotics will ease the condition of patients with this problem.
The most useful are bifidobacteria and lactobacilli. Most often, patients with bloating appoint Linex, Hilak, Entererozmin, Biosporin.
Spasmolytics
If bloating is accompanied by spasms in the abdomen, antispasmodics can help. Some patients consider these drugs the main method of treating spasmodic pains and bloating, while others do not help at all. These drugs are Drotaverin( No-shpa) and Mebevirin.
Vegetable preparations
The most famous carminative agent of plant origin is dill seeds. Modern scientific research, studying the properties of this product, showed that for these useful properties corresponds to a high content of volatile oils. Substances anethole, fenhol and estragol have antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory properties, which relax the muscles of the intestine and allow the gases to escape from it. It is also believed that volatile oils stimulate the secretion of bile and improve digestion.
Examples of preparations based on dill seeds:
- Plantex.
- Dill water.
- Babi Kalm.
Folk methods of treatment
Many people believe in folk methods of treatment. They are often interested in how to cure bloating and intestines at home without the use of medications.
Treatment of abdominal bloating in adults by folk remedies can be effective, especially with proper nutrition.
Applied tools belong to :
- Seeds of dill. You can chew a few seeds after each meal or brew from 1 teaspoon of tea and drink tea 2 times a day.
- Peppermint. Contains menthol oil with spasmolytic effect. You can chew fresh mint leaves or make mint tea and drink it 2-3 times a day.
- Ginger. Contains several active substances, including carminative compounds, which help with bloating. You can brew tea from 5-6 thin pieces of ginger, add a little honey and lemon to it, drink 2-3 times a day.
- Camomile tea. Has anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties.
Treatment of bloating in newborns
Accumulation of gases in the intestines is the main cause of colic in young children. Newborns can swallow air when they eat, suck the nipple or cry.
Treatment and prevention of bloating in newborns includes the following measures:
- Changing the position of the baby during feeding. It is necessary that his head was above the level of the stomach. It is important to ensure that when you are breastfeeding, the baby does not swallow the air from the bottle.
- An eructation of air is one of the easiest ways to combat bloating in newborns. After feeding, the baby should be worn vertically for a few minutes.
- Replacement of nipples for feeding. To reduce the ingestion of air, you need to use nipples with a small hole.
- Tummy tuck, bending the legs to the abdomen.
- Power change. Some parents give the kids fruit juice, which is poorly digested. You should carefully examine the diet of the mother if the baby is breastfed. From it you need to exclude dairy products and caffeine.
If these tips have not helped to get rid of bloating in the baby, the doctor may prescribe a drug. Simethicone and preparations based on dill seeds are most often used. In case of lactose intolerance( milk sugar, which is contained in dairy products and artificial food mixes), lactose-free diet or the use of lactase preparations( enzyme that breaks down lactose) may be necessary.
Bloating is one of the most frequent complaints of people with digestive tract diseases. Various causes can lead to increased gas production, so treatment can not be universal. Selection of suitable methods for eliminating bloating is often done by trial and error, testing various tips individually and evaluating their effectiveness.
However, in any disease, the correct diet is beneficial, which can alleviate the symptoms in most patients. Drug therapy is prescribed only if the diet is ineffective and lifestyle changes.
Author: Taras Nevelichuk, doctor,
specially for Moizhivot.ru
