Bloating is not fun. We've all been through it, looking 9 months pregnant can make us feel unpleasant, uncomfortable and unattractive. Bloating can come with other symptoms like constipation, gas, stomach or lower abdominal pain, feeling swollen and more. So what causes bloating? Here are 6 of the most common causes of bloating I see in practice. 

1. Eating Habits - eating or drinking too quickly, eating too much food, not properly chewing our food can result in bloating. The reason for this is that our body is not able to secrete the proper amount of enzymes and stomach acid to effectively break down our food. Another reason is that eating too quickly increases the likelihood of swallowing air.

Take away: eat mindfully, do not have liquids with your meal, and watch your portions. I really like the 5-10-15 rule: take 5 deep belly breaths before a meal, put down your utensils for 10 seconds after every bite, and make sure your meal takes no less than 15 minutes. 

Allergies are the fifth-leading cause of chronic disease in the world and are affecting up to 30% of adults and 40% of children globally. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation, the prevalence of this condition has increased each year over the past decade. [1] Allergy sufferers may experience runny or itchy noses,congestion as well as watery and itchy eyes.

Naturopathic physicians are well trained at helping both to manage these symptoms naturally and potentially eliminate allergies, avoiding the use of over the counter medications to keep those symptoms at bay.  This article will review the top naturopathic strategies for managing and potentially eliminating allergies.