Bloating can happen fast, but it doesn’t always dissipate with the same urgency. Especially as the weather starts to heat up, bloated bellies bring a familiar sense of discomfort – but it doesn’t have to be that way. If you’re wondering how to debloat fast, your best bet is to first figure out what’s causing your bloating in the first place. To help you beat the bloat, we spoke to GI doctors about some simple strategies to feel your best and keep your stomach happy.
Experts Featured in This Article:
Lisa Ganjhu, DO, is a gastroenterologist at NYU Langone Health.
Mohamad Erfani, MD, is a board-certified gastroenterologist with over 10 years of experience.
According to gastroenterologists Lisa Ganjhu, DO, and Mohamad Erfani, MD, bloating can be triggered by a number of things, including:
- Chronic Constipation
- Food Intolerances
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
- Stress
- Menstruation
Occasionally, gynecological disorders (like ovarian cancer or fibroids) can also “give a fullness feeling within the lower abdomen that feels like bloating,” Dr Ganjhu says. That’s why she encourages patients who experience significant changes in digestive functioning to see a gastroenterologist or even a gynecologist. If you’re bloating regularly and/or have pain when you’re bloated, be sure to speak with your medical provider. That said, occasional bloating is typically not a sign of concern. It can happen after sex, first thing in the morning, or even upon completing an intense workout.
Other common reasons for bloating include water retention – like when a person is on their period or consumes too much salt – and gas buildup. “This could occur when certain components in food (like grains, sugar in fruits, and dairy products) don’t completely break down and get digested,” Dr. Erfani says. If you’re looking to debloat fast, read on to find a few expert-approved tips from Dr. Erfani and Dr. Ganjhu.
– Additional reporting by Leta Shy
– Additional reporting by Chandler Plante
