What Relieves Bloating Fast?

Various over-the-counter remedies can treat bloating -- Beano can help digest gas-causing vegetables, lactase supplements can address dairy issues and Pepto Bismol or simethicone can relieve gas. Dietary changes are the best way to prevent bloating, however.

Bloating is usually a result of excess gas that causes a distended abdomen. It also commonly occurs in women during their menstrual cycle about 1 to 2 weeks before the menstrual period. 

What Are Symptoms of Bloating?

The main symptoms of bloating include:

• Abdominal distention 
• Feeling of fullness in the belly

Bloating may be accompanied by:

• Gas (flatulence)
• Belching

See a doctor if the following symptoms accompany bloating: 

• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhea
• Blood in stool
• Unexplained weight loss
• Loss of appetite
• Fever
• Vomiting 

Causes of bloating include: 

• Gas buildup in the large intestine (colon) 
  • The colon bends a lot, and when air (gas) gets trapped in the bends, it may cause cramps or sharp pains
  • Causes of gas include:
  • Swallowing air, often while eating, drinking, or smoking
  • Eating certain foods, such as beans, broccoli, fruit, wheat, potatoes, and corn
  • Problems digesting certain foods, such as dairy products and wheat
  • Conditions that harm the digestive system
• Constipation
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)
• Gastroparesis
• Certain gynecological conditions
• Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)

Bloating is a symptom of another underlying condition. To diagnose the cause of bloating, tests may include: 

• Stool tests to check for blood, unusual levels of fat, and other things
• Blood tests to check for gluten intolerance
• Breath test to check for lactose intolerance or overgrowth of bacteria in the intestines
• X-rays to check the intestines
• Upper endoscopy 
• Colonoscopy 
• Pelvic examination in women

Treatment for bloating depends on the cause and may include:

• Dietary changes 
  • A low FODMAP (fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols) diet may reduce symptoms of gas and IBS
• Eating more slowly 
• Lactase supplements to help digest dairy products such as Lactaid
• Over-the-counter (OTC) medicines 
  • Simethicone (Maalox Anti-Gas, Mylanta Gas, Gas-X, or Phazyme) to help break up gas bubbles in the intestines
  • Beano to help digest beans and some vegetables
  • Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol) to help ease gas 
• Digestive enzymes such as amylase, lipase, protease, or HCL can help relieve bloating fast 
• Prescription medications

Bloating may be prevented in certain cases by:

• Modifying the diet and cutting back on foods that cause gas
• Take lactase enzyme before consuming dairy products 
• Take Beano before eating beans and some vegetables
• Eating more slowly
• Exercising regularly