Have you ever experienced such extreme comfort after eating that you would do almost anything to stop yourself? Your entire body may feel heavy and your mood may be affected by an enlarged, bloated abdomen.
With age, digestive health is the one area many seniors worry about. Bloating is a common digestive problem that can be painful and negatively impact an older person’s general health. Seniors can improve their quality of life and support digestive well-being by implementing senior-friendly practices into their daily lives.
Bloating in Seniors
The digestive tract undergoes several physiological changes as we age. Bloating in seniors can be caused by decreased stomach acid production and a slower pace of digestion. It is essential to comprehend these changes in order to develop effective relief strategies that help.
Common Causes for Bloating
a. Dietary Factors
As we grow old, certain foods may become more difficult to digest. Bloating can result from eating foods that produce gas, such as broccoli, beans, and carbonated drinks. Dairy products are a potential trigger for lactose intolerance, which also tends to worsen with age.
Bloating and other digestive issues in the elderly can be made worse by dehydration and a low-fiber diet. In order to promote good digestion, seniors should make an effort to drink enough water and incorporate foods high in fiber in their diet, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
b. Medications
Elderly people frequently take multiple medications, and some of these can cause bloating due to gastrointestinal side effects. It’s important to talk about any digestive problems with medical professionals in order to change prescriptions or adjust dosages.
c. Medical Conditions
Bloating may be caused by underlying medical disorders such as gastrointestinal infections, constipation, or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Recognizing and treating these disorders is essential for gut health.
Senior-Friendly Strategies for Bloating Relief
1. Mindful Eating Practices
Seniors should be encouraged to fully chew their food. This facilitates the food’s mechanical breakdown, which eases the digestive system’s processing. Ingesting too much air can be avoided by eating mindfully and slowly, which lowers the risk of bloating.
Seniors can also benefit from smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day as opposed to large ones. This reduces the burden on the digestive system while helping to maintain a constant rate of digestion.
2. Dietary Modifications
Bloating can subside in seniors with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) if they follow a low-FODMAP diet. This involves reducing fermentable carbs, which lead to the formation of gas. Typical high-FODMAPS foods include grains, certain fruits, and vegetables.
Probiotics can help maintain a balanced population of intestinal bacteria in the body, which may lessen bloating. Probiotic-rich foods include fermented foods like sauerkraut, kefir, and yogurt. These are great additions for those wondering how to improve gut health in seniors.
Seniors should be encouraged to drink plenty of water, but certain drinks can make them bloated. In addition to being hydrating, herbal teas like ginger or peppermint tea can also be soothing to the digestive tract.
3. Physical Activity and Exercise
Being physically active on a regular basis is essential for keeping the digestive system healthy. Walking and yoga are gentle forms of regular exercise that seniors can do to help relieve bloating and encourage bowel movements.
Walking or another low-impact activity for a few minutes can help in your body’s digestion and removal of excess air. You only need to work out for ten to fifteen minutes at a time, you do not need to engage in long periods of intense workout.
4. Medication Review and Management
Seniors should discuss their prescription doses with medical professionals on a regular basis to determine any possible gastrointestinal adverse effects. Bloating can also be caused by starting a new, unfamiliar medicine. Gas and bloating associated with constipation are common pharmaceutical adverse effects.
Consult your doctor to determine whether the drug, dosage, or mode of administration is contributing to your bloating, gas, or constipation. It can just be a transient side effect. Bloating can be lessened by changing medicine dosages or looking into other possibilities.
Note: Always check with your doctor before changing or stopping any medication.
Food That Helps Bloating
There are food items that can reduce bloating. Bloating is often linked with internal gas accumulation in the intestines as a result of constipation. If you are looking for how to improve digestion then you can consider the following options:
- Celery
- Ginger
- Parsley
Foods high in FODMAPs (fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols) and extremely acidic or spicy foods should be avoided. For certain people, these can make their bloating and discomfort worse.
Conclusion
Digestive wellness is a key component of overall health, especially for seniors. By understanding the causes of bloating and implementing senior-friendly strategies for relief, older individuals can enhance their digestive health and enjoy a higher quality of life.
If bloating persists or is accompanied by other concerning symptoms, seniors should seek guidance from healthcare professionals. Reach out to EliteCare HC for specialists who can conduct thorough assessments and provide tailored recommendations for digestive wellness.
Book an appointment by calling +1 888-596-2090 or simply visit our website.
Frequently Asked Questions
Making dietary changes and indulging in daily low-level exercise can help seniors with a bloated stomach.
Taking a walk or drinking some hot ginger tea helps tremendously with bloating relief.
Eating at regular intervals, including fiber in your diet, and partaking in regular exercise helps fix your gut health which can reduce bloating.
