Baking Soda And Water For Bloating
Mix a little baking soda into a glass of water, and what do you have? A TikTok phenomenon. But what do the healthcare experts say about this potential remedy for bloating? This is essentially a DIY antacid, says Dr. Dweck, explaining that baking soda is basic in terms of its pH content. This neutralizes stomach acid along with bloating and discomfort. Dr. Dweck says, It may work, and its likely safe in a pinchbut yuck!
Its harmless, Dr. Farhadi agrees. It could be helpful, but its going to be very temporary. If you respond to the combination of baking soda and water, its likely that you have acid reflux and would also respond to antacids like Tums, which may be a more effective treatment.
If you really want to try it, mix ¼ to ½ teaspoon of baking soda into one cup of water and sip away. This remedy is safe for short-term use for most adults, but not for young children or women who are pregnant, says registered dietitian Nicole Lindel, RD, an advisor forEverlywell. Adults should not use baking soda for longer than two weeks at a time.
Diagnosing Gas Gas Pains And Bloating
Even though gas and bloating are common, a medical evaluation may sometimes be necessary. If you experience blood in the stool, diarrhea, fevers, anemia, or weight loss, you should talk to a doctor.
Medical History & Physical Exam
First, your doctor will review your medical history and ask questions about your symptoms and dietary habits.
The doctor may also examine your abdomen for tenderness or anything that feels abnormal. A stethoscope may be used to help the doctor determine how well the digestive tract is working.
The results of these preliminary tests will help determine the next level of diagnosis if necessary.
Additional Tests for Gas, Gas Pains, and Bloating
- Breath tests Breath tests can help determine problems of malabsorption or intestinal bacteria overgrowth.
- Colonoscopy In patients 50 or older, or who have a family history of colorectal cancer, the possibility of colon cancer may be considered.
- Imaging If chronic belching is a problem, x-rays may be used to inspect the small intestine, stomach, and esophagus. This is known as an upper GI series
Why Is Trapped Gas So Painful
Trapped gas is painful because it creates pressure in your digestive tract. Gas that builds up in your stomach or in the left side of your colon can feel like chest pain. Gas that builds up on the right side of your colon can feel like gallstone or appendicitis pain.
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When To See A Doctor For Bloating
If you have an occasional bout of bloating, its probably nothing to worry about, especially if youre pretty sure you know the cause. For example, if you know that your diet is often the culprit, you could start by eliminating gas-producing foods like beans. You could also cut back on the carbonated drinks.
But if youve tried eliminating the factors that tend to cause bloating for you without experiencing any relief, that may be a sign that its time to consult your doctor. If you have a red flag, dont sit on it, says Dr. Farhadi.
More serious causes of bloating may include:
- Uterine fibroids
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Celiac disease
These medical conditions may require other more intensive treatments. So, if you experience bloating along with persistent or severe pain, severe diarrhea, or unexplained weight loss, those are reasons that justify a call to your doctor, says Dr. Farhadi. Thats especially true if you have a close relative with a history of gastrointestinal disease or colon cancer.
Women may also want to keep a lookout for symptoms like abnormal vaginal bleeding and vaginal discharge, says Dr. Dweck. Pain during sex and urinary tract infections also should be evaluated by a healthcare professional.
What Causes Excessive Gas In The Stomach

The most common way for gas to enter your digestive tract is through swallowing air. We all swallow air when were eating or drinking, but we tend to swallow even more when we chew gum, drink fizzy drinks or eat too fast. If you dont burp this gas out, it will move into your intestines and through to your bowels.
Another serious cause is bacteria and yeast in your large intestine. Your large intestine is where carbohydrates such as sugars, starches and fiber are broken down. Its also where microorganisms like bacteria and yeast reside both good and bad. The good bacteria work to break down those undigested carbohydrates in a process called fermentation. However, some types of bacteria may lead excess gas and bloating.
When you have excess bacteria in the gut, the gas they produce can build up and lead to small intestinal bacterial overgrowth . These bacteria also convert foods like sugars and carbohydrates in large amounts that are irritating or toxic to cells of the intestinal tract.
Dysbiosis can also be caused by Candida yeast overgrowth in the gut. Although a small amount of Candida yeast is normal, it can grow out of control and prevent your healthy bacteria from doing their job properly.
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Probiotics To Improve Digestive Health And Reduce Trapped Gas
If a digestive issue makes you need to fart constantly, then try probiotics to help reduce trapped gas naturally.
Probiotics increase the good bacteria in your gut to improve your digestive health and get rid of flatulence. A study published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology reported that probiotics can help to get rid of flatulence, bloating, abdominal pain, and distention. It was suggested that probiotics be used for their beneficial effects in treating the symptoms of IBS.14
To find out more about how probiotics can improve your gastrointestinal health, please read my article on the benefits of taking probiotics and why they are so good for you.
Get More Active Every Day
Exercise helps your body move stool and gas out of the colon and may make bowel movements more regular. Exercise also releases extra sodium from the body through sweating, which can help to relieve water retention.
It is vital to drink plenty of water before and after exercising to stay hydrated, as dehydration can make constipation worse.
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Sip A Glass Of Water Slowly
Drinking water does two things, says Dr. Wakim-Fleming: It can help move any gas-causing foods in your system through the digestive process, and it makes it harder for your intestines to contract in a way that gasses you up. See, your intestines contract to move food, and if they contract too strongly or for too long, that can lead to or exacerbate gas.
Tips On Controlling Intestinal Gas
Everyone has gas in the digestive tract, but people often believe normal passage of gas to be excessive. Gas comes from two main sources: swallowed air and normal breakdown of certain foods by harmless bacteria naturally present in the large intestine.
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How To Get Rid Of Gas Pain
If youve ever experienced waves of sharp pain in your belly along with the feeling that your waistline is inflating like a balloon, you might be experiencing bloating and cramps due to intestinal gas.
Everyone gets gas on occasion. Its a natural byproduct of the bacteria in your intestines doing their job and breaking down the fibers, sugars and starches in the food you eat. Though gas pain is usually nothing serious, the discomfort can be intense.
Intestinal gas and its discomfort are likely to resolve on their own. Burping or passing gas through the rectum is usually enough to ease your physical discomfort.
Johns Hopkins gastroenterologist Hazel Marie Galon Veloso provides some perspective on bloating and gas cramps, including when to see a doctor.
How To Prevent Bloating
While there are many ways to alleviate bloating, it is best to prevent bloating in the first place. Some of the best ways to prevent bloating include:
Find out which foods you may be sensitive to and aim to eliminate these foods from your diet. You may have an allergic reaction to a particular food that could be causing your bloating. The best way to determine what foods you may be sensitive to is to try an elimination diet.
Many of us tend to eat food too fast without taking the time to properly chew and break down our food. This can put an extra strain on the stomach and may lead to indigestion, bloating and digestive discomfort. This can be avoided by simply chewing your food well.
Avoid Overeating
Eating too much food is a common cause of bloating. It creates sluggishness in the stomach and easily leads to digestive discomfort. If you want to prevent bloating, be moderate in your diet and avoid overeating.
Limit Water Intake with Meals
Drinking too much water with meals can lead to indigestion and bloating. Limit your water intake before, during, and after your meal. Try drinking small amounts of hot herbal tea with meals to aid in digestion.
Eat While Relaxed
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Natural And Other Remedies For Gas
Two products on the market can help with food-related gas and bloating. Both products are packaged forms of the enzymes needed to break down the problematic carbohydrates. Lactase, found in products such as Dairy Ease and Lactaid, can be taken with dairy foods to help break down lactose and lessen gas. Beano helps digest the indigestible carbohydrate in beans and other gas-producing vegetables.
Natural remedies for gas include:
- Peppermint tea
How To Get Rid Of Trapped Gas

Disclaimer: Results are not guaranteed*** and may vary from person to person***.
If you are alive, then youve had to deal with gas. Men, women, children even dogs and cats get gas. At some point or another, you will let out a little toot or burp, or perhaps a massive one.
But sometimes excess gas will get stuck in the body, leading to an annoying condition known as trapped gas. It can cause pain and discomfort, and its generally frustrating to try and eliminate. What do you do at that point?
Dont worry we are here to tell you all about how to get rid of trapped gas. Well take a look at trapped gas symptoms, how to get rid of gas pains, natural remedies for gas, and everything in between. By the time we are done, you should know how to get rid of gas through various methods.
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How To Get Rid Of Gas: 8 Natural Treatments
Flatulence and gas are normal bodily functions, and most healthy adults pass gas somewhere between 13 and 21 times each day. Flatulence is a healthy part of the digestive process, but it can cause discomfort and pain as gas builds up in the intestines. Expelling the gas normally relieves the pain however, if the pain persists or worsens, it may be a sign of a more serious condition and you should consult with your physician as soon as possible.
In addition to pain and flatulence, gas can cause bloating. Bloating is a temporary condition caused when air or gas becomes stuck in the abdomen. The result can be visible as the stomach, depending on the level of air and gas build up, can protrude significantly. In the vast majority of cases, gas pains and bloating are nothing to worry about, however, if you experience any of the following symptoms along with gas, seek medical attention as quickly as possible:
- Hives or a skin rash that develops quickly
- Tight throat or trouble breathing which may signal an allergic reaction
- Fever
- Persistent or recurrent nausea or vomiting
- Trouble concentrating
If youve recently changed your diet by adding high-fiber foods or cruciferous vegetables, you can expect some gas and gas pain. In addition, foods known as FODMAPs as well as foods you have a sensitivity to like lactose, can also cause gas pain. And, of course, if you overindulge in a high-fat or a spicy meal, you may experience more gas than normal.
Simple Strategies For Blasting Gas
1. Burping or belching Sometimes this is all you need to do to eliminate trapped gas and relieve your discomfort. Of course, that might be easier said than done, especially in social situations. If the opportunity presents itself, go for it, because that gas wants to come out.
If you feel like belching or burping, do it, Dr. Weiss advises. He cautions that big belches could damage your esophagus, so go easy. Let the air out but dont increase the pressure.
2. Nonprescription anti-gas remedies Gas-X®, Maalox® Plus, and other over-the-counter options that contain simethicone might help. These products allow small gas bubbles to coalesce into a large bubble, which permits the gas to pass more easily from either end. They dont work for everyone, and studies havent confirmed their effectiveness, but they may be worth a try. If it helps you, terrific. Dr. Weiss says. If not, no harm done.
3. Peppermint Those peppermint candies at the diner are more than just breath fresheners: They can help relax the muscles in your esophagus, which helps you pass digestive gases. If candys not your thing, peppermint tea offers the same assist. Anise, fennel, ginger, cloves and chamomile also may offer relief.
6. Meditation As you take deep, stress-relieving breaths through your nose, your muscles relax. This aids the passage of digesting food. Plus, you swallow less air when you breathe deeply than when you take shallow breaths.
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Apple Cider Vinegar And Water
Apple cider vinegar is another remedy for flatulence. It treats gas and soothes stomach. It is advisable to use apple cider vinegar for the remedy but if you do not have it, you can use regular vinegar.
Apple cider vinegar
Method: Take a glass of warm water and add two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar to it. Drink it once a day, preferably in the morning.
Foods That Can Cause Gas
Certain foods and drinks may cause excessive gas production, especially those high in fiber and FODMAPs. The acronym FODMAPs stands for fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols. These are a collection of short-chain carbohydrates that the small intestine may have difficulty digesting due to a shortage or absence of enzymes.
The large intestine contains that break down any nondigestible foods through the process of fermentation. This process produces gas.
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Pacifying Powders For The Stomach
People with an upset stomach, gas, acidity, heartburn and other gastric troubles can also get relief by directly consuming powders of ingredients from kitchen inventory, such as seeds of fennel, carrom, caraway, coriander, etc. Few examples are listed below:
What Causes Gas & Bloating
There are two main causes of gas in the digestive tract .
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Dont Ban All Favorite Foods
Restrictive eating patterns that eliminate many of your favorite foods may cause you to feel deprived, potentially leading you to binge on forbidden treats.
Diets that concentrate on whole, unprocessed foods are always best, but making room for an occasional treat is perfectly healthy.
Swearing to never have a scoop of ice cream, slice of pizza, or piece of chocolate again is not realistic for most people.
That said, in the case of food addiction, a person may need to permanently abstain from trigger foods. In this case, its a good idea to find healthy substitutes that are satisfying.
Focus on providing your body with mostly healthy, nutritious food while giving yourself the freedom to truly enjoy a treat here and there.
Summary Eating patterns that are too restrictive may drive binges. The key to a sustainable, healthy diet is to concentrate on eating whole, unprocessed foods most of the time while allowing for a treat here and there.