Bloating and Menopause: Helping Women Cope, With Baptist Health South Florida

Bloating. What a ‘B’ right? Bloating happens to all of us, at different times, and for all different reasons. For example, if you scarf a large Domino’s pizza you will likely feel bloating. Step onto an airplane for a five hour flight, and POOF, that belly looks like a bag of pop-chips. Even healthy things like kale, broccoli and beans can create a gassy environment that can lead to uncomfortable gut growth. Bloating is natural and normal, but can be uncomfortable and make you self-conscious. Did you know that age and hormones play a key role in the amount, and type of bloat women encounter?

As we age, our bodies begin to change. Bloating is one of the most common symptoms of perimenopause, the period of time when a woman’s hormone production changes as her body begins the transition to menopause. Changes in estrogen levels throw off the body’s production and flow of water and bile, leading to digestive disruptions. Certain dietary habits can also contribute to perimenopause bloating. The main treatment for bloating is practicing good digestive health, including eating healthy, limiting alcohol and caffeine, staying hydrated and exercising. So feel free to read on or click here for more about bloating and menopause from my friends over at Baptist Health South Florida. Also, for anyone who deals with belly bloat, I am sharing my tips for getting your gut back on track in 48 hours or less.

Tips to reset bloat in 48 hours or less:

• Water, Agua, H20: Drink it. Love it and keep it on hand at all times. Feel free to spike it with things like lemon, ginger and mint for an added detoxifying and flavor booting effect!
• Have a Meal Plan: Do not just grab the first thing you see. Have a plan, and fill your day with whole foods like fruit, vegetables and lean protein.
• Cut the refined sugar and stick to the sweet stuff that grows naturally: Dates are a great natural source of sugar/carbohydrates.
• Do The Herbal: Herbal teas can help with everything from energy and bloating to mood and better sleep. Find a blend that works to you and maybe even try to swap your morning java with green tea.

Make sure to head over to Baptist Health South Florida’s website to read tons of great articles on everything from nutrition to community outreach and medical research.