Bloating and constipation often go together. When stool moves slowly through your colon, gas builds up behind it. This causes that tight, swollen feeling in your belly. The most effective way to relieve both at once is to get things moving again — and that starts with what you eat, how you drink, and when … Read more
You have probably heard it since you were a kid: swallow a piece of gum and it stays in your stomach for seven years. It is one of the most persistent health myths out there. The short answer is no. Gum does not sit in your stomach for seven years. Your digestive system moves it … Read more
Why Does Split Pea Soup Cause Gas and Bloating? Split peas are legumes. All legumes contain complex sugars called oligosaccharides. The specific ones in split peas are raffinose and stachyose. Humans lack the enzyme needed to break these sugars down in the small intestine. So instead of being absorbed, these sugars travel all the way … Read more
Waking up with stomach pain is a miserable way to start the day. For most people, the reason comes down to something simple: your digestive system runs on a cycle, and overnight it has been working on empty. Morning stomach pain is usually caused by excess stomach acid, gas buildup, or a sensitive gut reacting … Read more
When your stomach hurts really bad, the first thing to do is stop eating and drink small sips of clear liquid like water or a rehydration drink. Lie down in a comfortable position, often on your side with your knees pulled up toward your chest. Avoid any over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or aspirin until … Read more
Yes, you can weigh more when bloated, but the extra number on the scale is temporary and not actual fat gain. Bloating adds weight from trapped gas, water, and undigested food moving through your digestive tract. This extra weight is typically 1 to 5 pounds and goes away once your body passes the gas or … Read more
If you or someone in your house has a stomach bug, the short answer is that you are contagious from the moment symptoms start and for at least 48 hours after they stop. For some viruses, you can spread the illness for up to two weeks after you feel better. This guide breaks down the … Read more
Peristalsis happens throughout most of your digestive tract, from the esophagus all the way to the rectum. It is the wave-like muscle contraction that moves food, liquid, and waste forward through your digestive system. Without peristalsis, nothing you eat would travel from your mouth to your stomach or beyond. What Exactly Is Peristalsis and How … Read more
Stomach bloating and gas happen when air or gas builds up in your digestive tract, making your belly feel tight, full, and sometimes visibly larger. The most common direct causes are swallowing air while eating or drinking, and bacteria in your large intestine breaking down certain foods that your small intestine did not fully digest. … Read more
Tea has been used for centuries to settle the stomach, but does it actually work? The short answer is yes, but not all teas are equal and some can make digestion worse. Certain teas contain compounds that relax the gut muscles, reduce inflammation, and support the bacteria that help you break down food. But the … Read more