Dealing with Bloating and Water Retention at 79 - #48000

THANK YOU FOR SHARING THIS IN SUCH DETAIL AT YOUR AGE THE BODY REQUIRES MORE GENTLENESS AND PRECISION AND IT IS CLEAR THAT YOU ARE ALREADY AWARE AND DISCIPLINED WHICH IS GOOD BUT SOMETIMES WELL INTENDED SUPPORTS CAN ACTUALLY CREATE MORE BLOATING AND WATER RETENTION RATHER THAN LESS

CONSTANT BLOATING GAS AND WATER RETENTION AT 79 YEARS OF AGE MOST OFTEN INDICATE SLOW DIGESTIVE MOVEMENT WEAK ABSORPTION AND GAS FORMATION DUE TO DRYNESS AND IRREGULAR SIGNALING IN THE GUT THIS IS COMMON WITH AGE EVEN WHEN DIET IS CAREFUL AND ENERGY LEVELS ARE MODERATE

ONE IMPORTANT POINT IS THAT PSYLLIUM WHILE COMMONLY USED FOR CONSTIPATION CAN CAUSE SIGNIFICANT GAS AND BLOATING IN OLDER ADULTS ESPECIALLY WHEN DIGESTIVE FIRE IS LOW IT EXPANDS IN THE GUT AND FERMENTS EASILY THIS MAY BE A MAJOR CONTRIBUTOR TO YOUR SYMPTOMS I WOULD STRONGLY SUGGEST REDUCING IT OR STOPPING IT FOR ONE TO TWO WEEKS AND OBSERVING WHETHER BLOATING AND GAS REDUCE

TRIPHALA IS HELPFUL BUT IN SOME ELDERLY INDIVIDUALS DAILY USE CAN INCREASE DRYNESS AND GAS IF DOSAGE IS SLIGHTLY HIGH YOU MAY REDUCE THE DOSE TO A SMALL AMOUNT OR TAKE IT ON ALTERNATE NIGHT WITH WARM WATER

DANDELION TEA IS A DIURETIC WHICH CAN HELP WATER RETENTION BUT IF TAKEN DAILY IT CAN INCREASE DRYNESS AND GAS IN THE INTESTINE YOU MAY LIMIT IT TO FEW TIMES A WEEK

MAGNESIUM GLYCINATE IS USUALLY WELL TOLERATED BUT IN SOME PEOPLE IT CAN LOOSEN STOO AND DISTURB GUT RHYTHM IF TAKEN ALONG WITH PSYLLIUM THIS COMBINATION CAN WORSEN GAS

DIGESTIVE ENZYMES AND B COMPLEX ARE FINE BUT THEY WILL NOT CORRECT GAS IF THE PRIMARY ISSUE IS DRYNESS AND SLOW MOVEMENT

WATER RETENTION ALONG WITH BLOATING SUGGESTS THAT DIGESTION IS NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO SEPARATE FLUID METABOLISM FROM GAS PRODUCTION THIS IS WHY YOU FEEL BOTH HEAVY AND BLOATED AT THE SAME TIME

WHAT GENERALLY HELPS IN SUCH CASES IS SIMPLIFICATION RATHER THAN ADDITION WARM COOKED FOODS ONLY SMALL MEALS AT REGULAR TIMES WARM WATER SIPPED THROUGH THE DAY AVOID RAW FOODS SALADS COLD DRINKS AND TOO MUCH FIBER

A SMALL PINCH OF HING IN WARM WATER BEFORE LUNCH OR DINNER CAN HELP GAS MOVEMENT GHEE OR OLIVE OIL WITH MEALS CAN HELP LUBRICATE THE GUT AND REDUCE GAS EVEN IN SMALL AMOUNTS

SLEEP SUPPORT WITH NUTMEG AND L TRYPTOPHAN IS ACCEPTABLE

AT YOUR AGE THE GOAL IS COMFORT REGULARITY AND LIGHTNESS NOT PERFECT BOWEL MOVEMENTS DAILY AND NOT AGGRESSIVE CLEANSING IF YOU FEEL LESS BLOATING AND GAS EVEN WITH BOWELS EVERY OTHER DAY THAT IS STILL ACCEPTABLE

I WOULD RECOMMEND PAUSING PSYLLIUM FIRST REDUCING TRIPHALA AND LIMITING BITTER TEAS AND THEN OBSERVING FOR 10 TO 14 DAYS MANY TIMES THIS ALONE BRINGS SIGNIFICANT RELIEF

YOU ARE DOING RIGHT BUT YOUR BODY MAY NOW NEED LESS STIMULATION AND MORE SOFTENING AND RHYTHM IF YOU WISH YOU CAN SHARE YOUR STOOL PATTERN APPETITE AND TIMING OF BLOATING AND I CAN GUIDE YOU EVEN MORE PRECISELY

✅ IMPORTANT ADVICE (First Step)

❌ Stop / Hold these for 10–14 days:

1. Digestive enzymes ➡️ Many enzyme blends contain fermenting agents → gas & bloating

2. Psyllium husk (Isabgol) ➡️ It absorbs water + ferments in gut → bloating + gas, especially in elderly

✅ If constipation: use Ayurvedic alternatives (given below)

🌿 AYURVEDIC TREATMENT FOR BLOATING + GAS + ACIDITY

1) Hingwashtak Churna (Best for gas & bloating)

✅ Hingwashtak churna Dose: ½ tsp BD How: mix in warm water OR take with ghee Timing: after meals

2) Avipattikar Churna (for acidity + burning + reflux)

✅ Avipattikar churna Dose: ½ tsp at night How: with warm water

3) If constipation also present

✅ Triphala churna Dose: 2–3 gm at night ⚠️ If already using Triphala, keep dose low (overuse may cause dryness/gas)

OR

✅ Gandharva Haritaki (better in old age) Dose: 1 tab at night with warm water

4) If water retention / swelling + heaviness

✅ Punarnavadi Kashayam / Punarnava arka

Kashayam: 15 ml BD with equal warm water OR

Ark: 10–15 drops in water BD

🍵 HOME REMEDIES (FAST RELIEF)

✅ Ajwain + Saunf tea

Ajwain ½ tsp + Saunf ½ tsp

boil in 1 glass water → reduce to half

drink warm after meals

✅ Hing water

pinch of hing in warm water after lunch/dinner

✅ Jeera water

1 tsp cumin boiled → sip through day

🍲 DIET PLAN (Anti-bloating Diet)

✅ Best foods

Warm, freshly cooked meals

Moong dal khichdi

Pumpkin, bottle gourd, ridge gourd

Thin soups

Buttermilk (only in daytime, spiced)

✅ Buttermilk recipe: 1 glass takra + roasted jeera + black salt + curry leaves

❌ Avoid (major gas creators)

Milk at night

Raw salads

Cabbage, cauliflower, beans, chickpeas

Fermented food (idli/dosa at night)

Tea/coffee excess

Cold water, curd at night

🧘 LIFESTYLE CHANGES

✅

Dinner before 7:30 PM

Walk 10–15 min after meals

No sleeping immediately after eating

Eat small meals (no heavy dinner)

✅ Sleep: left side lying helps reflux

Hello

First off, thanks for being so open about what you’re dealing with. At 79, things like bloating, gas, and water retention are common, but you don’t have to just accept them as “normal aging.” It’s clear you’re already paying attention to your diet and using supplements, so you’re on the right track.

Now, it’s really about tweaking things. Sometimes, having too many digestive helpers at once can backfire and throw your gut off even more.

Here’s what I see in your situation:

Age: 79 Symptoms (over the past 1–6 months): - Bloating and gas, pretty much all the time - Water retention - Tendency towards constipation - Energy is moderate

Supplements you’re taking:

- Triphala - Arjuna chhal - Dandelion tea - B-complex - Digestive enzymes - Psyllium - Magnesium glycinate - L-tryptophan - Nutmeg at night for sleep

From an Ayurvedic view:

At your age, Vata naturally increases. This slows down your digestion, makes gas more likely, and can make you sensitive to fiber and supplements. Fluid balance gets tricky too, which leads to water retention.

In your case, I’d say there’s a mix of Vata and a bit of Kapha imbalance. Your digestion seems sensitive and a bit weak (what Ayurveda calls Vishama Agni). Also, using several laxatives or fibers can actually dry out your intestines too much.

Here’s a key thing:

Taking psyllium, Triphala, magnesium, and digestive enzymes all together can actually make bloating worse for older adults.

So what should you do? Here’s what works:

1. Keep digestion support simple—this really helps. Choose just ONE main thing for your bowels, not all at once: - Triphala: ½ teaspoon at night with warm water

OR

- Magnesium glycinate (low dose) Skip psyllium for now, unless your stools get really hard. Too much fiber just creates more gas, especially as Vata goes up with age.

2. For gas and bloating—go gentle.

- Ajwain-Fennel Tea: Mix ½ tsp each of ajwain and fennel, boil in water, and sip it warm after meals. Works wonders for gas but doesn’t dry out your gut.

- Hing (asafoetida): Just a pinch in warm water after lunch, or add it to your cooking every day. It’s one of the best remedies for gas in older adults.

3. Water retention—watch the diuretics.

You’re already using dandelion tea, which acts as a diuretic. Here’s the thing: Too much of this can actually make Vata worse, increase bloating, and even cause hidden dehydration. So, keep dandelion tea to 3–4 times a week, not every day. Drink warm water throughout the day instead.

4. If you want an Ayurvedic tonic, Punarnava Mandur (just one tablet after lunch) can help with water retention, digestion, and circulation. It’s pretty safe for elders, as long as you’re supervised.

Diet—this is probably the most important part at your age.

- Go for warm, freshly cooked food—soups, stews, khichdi, cooked veggies. Raw salads aren’t your friend right now. - Eat small meals more often. - Add a bit of ghee to meals to help keep your gut happy. - Skip cold foods and drinks, raw veggies, lots of fruit at night, and piling on too many supplements at once. Try not to eat too late in the evening.

Sleep looks pretty good on your end. A little nutmeg at night is fine. L-tryptophan is okay too, as long as it’s not making you groggy. Just be sure to avoid taking bowel meds late at night.

When should you check in with your doctor? If you notice swelling in your legs or ankles, breathlessness, or sudden weight gain, see your doctor. These can point to heart or kidney issues, which matter more at this stage of life.

In short, here’s what’ll help most: - Cut back on too many laxatives and fibers - Focus on warm foods and Vata-calming habits - Use ajwain-fennel tea and hing - Limit diuretics like dandelion tea - Keep your meals simple and warm

Most elders notice less gas in about a week and less bloating in a couple of weeks with these changes.

Take care, Dr Snehal Vidhate

Bloating,gas and water retention together usually indicate weakened digestion,slow gut movement and reduced ability to eliminate fluids properly… Even though you are eating carefully,digestive strength naturally reduces with age,so foods that once suited you may now ferment and create gas…

Using psyllium,triphala,enzymes and magnesium together can sometimes increase bloating in elderly people,especially when digestion is slow,rather than truly constipated…

Water retention often appears when digestion is unable to process fluids fully and circulation becomes sluggish… Dandelion tea helps but if taken daily for long periods,it can dry the gut and worsen gas and bloating…

Reducing psyllium for few weeks and observing bowel response is helpful…

Triphala should be taken i small dose at night rather than a full dose… Digestive enzymes should be limited to heavier meals instead of every meal…

Warm cooked foods soups,stews, soft rice,vegetables and ghee support digestion,better than raw or fibrous foods… Sip warm water through the day and avoid cold drinks including cold herbal teas…

For gas ginger tea after meals or ajwain fennel infused warm water is more effective than many supplements…

Nutmeg at night should be used in very small quantity as excess can slow digestion further….

At this stage the focus should be on simplifying remedies and strengthening digestion with warmth routine and calm eating…

With consistency bloating, gas and water retention,usually reduce gradually over a few weeks…

Hi, The medicine you are taking is not good in this problem so please Stop it. Let me explain you

1) Psyllium (Isabgol) – In elderly with weak digestion it causes bloating & gas traps gas and worsens distension.

2) Digestive enzymes – Avoid daily long term They suppress natural Agni over time Can increase bloating.

3) Triphala – Daily Triphala can increase Vata at this age & Causes gas if taken at night

4) Dandelion tea – Use cautiously as it’s Diuretic can cause electrolyte imbalance Which May worsen weakness & dryness so Limit to 2–3 times/week, not daily

5) Magnesium glycinate – Check dose Excess magnesium cause gas + loose stool + bloating

6) Nutmeg nightly – Reduce Regular use may cause gut sluggishness & dryness - Use only occasionally

You can add following medicine

1) Hingvashtak Churna - ¼ tsp With first bite of lunch & dinner

2) Punarnavadi Mandur - 1 tablet twice a day after food with water

3) Draksharishta - 10 ml + 10 ml warm water daily After lunch.

4) Gandharvaharitaki churna - 1/2 Spoon at night before bed with 10-15 soaked black Resins

✅ Gentle Adjustments You Can Try

1. Eating Habits - Eat smaller, more frequent meals instead of large portions. - Chew thoroughly and eat slowly. - Avoid drinking large amounts of water with meals (sip instead).

2. Food Choices - Limit gas-forming foods: beans, cabbage, cauliflower, carbonated drinks. - Prefer easy-to-digest foods: rice, moong dal, cooked vegetables, stewed apple/pear. - Include ginger tea or warm cumin-fennel water after meals for digestion.

3. Constipation Support - Psyllium is good, but ensure adequate hydration (otherwise it worsens bloating). - Warm water in the morning + gentle abdominal massage can help. - Triphala at night is fine, but adjust dose if stools are too loose or too hard.

4. Water Retention - Dandelion tea is a natural diuretic, but monitor kidney function. - Reduce excess salt intake. - Gentle leg elevation and short walks improve circulation.

5. Sleep & Relaxation - Magnesium glycinate and L-tryptophan are supportive. - Nutmeg at night is calming, but use sparingly. - Practice deep breathing or yoga nidra before bed to relax digestion.

Warm Regards DR. ANJALI SEHRAWAT

At 79 you should be very picky of what to eat and what not to eat . Now considering the medicines you are taking. Skip the triphala and Arjuna challa amd also skip other medicines too if you feel very weak take B complex alternate days.

Take these instead 1. Tab abana 2BD AF 2. Gandharvhastadi erand tail 2tsp with warm water at bedtime only. For 7 days. 3. Manasmitra tab 2HS at bed time only 4. Ashwagandha tab 2BD AF 5. Shaddharan tab 2BD AF. Take these for 7 days. Do come for follow up. Dr Akshay negi MD PANCHAKARMA.