How Do You Get Gas
There are three main ways that gas enters your digestive system:
In some cases, gas may pass out of your system with no issue, but if you are struggling with bloating or gas pain, you can try one of the methods below for relief.
What Questions Should I Ask My Doctor
You may want to ask your healthcare provider:
- Could a medical condition be making me gassy?
- What tests can determine the cause of intestinal gas?
- What steps can I take to cut down on intestinal gas?
- What foods or drinks should I avoid?
- Whats the best treatment for my gas symptom?
- How can I tell the difference between gas and something more serious?
- Should I look out for signs of complications?
A note from Cleveland Clinic
While intestinal gas is common, the symptoms belching, flatulence, bloating and stomach discomfort can be embarrassing and even painful. Gas is sometimes a symptom of a more serious health problem. Talk to your healthcare provider about your concerns. The right treatment can ease gas symptoms so you can go about your day in confidence.
Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 09/11/2020.
References
How To Get Rid Of Stomach Gas
Although stomach gas is not life-threatening, it can be extremely embarrassing. Therefore, persons suffering with excessive gas in the stomach can rely on below measures to rid excessive gas buildup.
1. Apple Cider Vinegar
You can always rely on apple cider vinegar to treat indigestion and stomach gas. There are many enzymes in ACV responsible for alkalizing your body and promoting better digestion.
Take a glass of warm water and add 2 tsp. of ACV to it. Mix well and leave it for a few minutes to cool to room temperature. Then, drink twice a day. You can use this remedy even when you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
2. Ginger
One of the best remedies to deal with stomach gas is to use some ginger. It has antiemetic properties, so it reduces nausea and works amazingly well to help expel intestinal gas. Some studies have also found that ginger may trigger the process of gastric emptying. It also helps soothe the intestinal tract.
Take equal amounts of ground ginger, cardamom, and fennel. Mix well and add a teaspoon of this mixture along with some asafetida to a cup of water. Have it twice a day to relieve indigestion. You can also drink ginger tea or simply chew on raw ginger pieces for relief.
3. Baking Soda and Lemon
Also called sodium bicarbonate, baking soda acts as an antacid and helps expel stomach gas. Combine it with lemon juice to make it even more effective.
4. Cinnamon
5. Fennel
6. Change the Diet
7. Other Remedies
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Medical Conditions That Cause Gas
Some medical conditions can increase intestinal gas, gas pains, or bloating including:
- Intestinal diseases chronic intestinal diseases like Crohnâs disease, ulcerative colitis, and diverticulitis can cause excess gas.
- Overgrowth of bacteria A change or increase in small intestine bacteria may cause excess gas, weight loss, or diarrhea.
- Food intolerance some food intolerances can cause excess intestinal gas. This is caused by an inability to properly break down the sugar in dairy products or gluten .
- Constipation It may be difficult to pass gas when experiencing constipation.
Consider If Dairy Is Actually The Culprit

If you’re currently in the fetal position dealing with gas pain, think back to how much cheese, milk, and ice cream you had recentlyeven if you don’t think you’re lactose intolerant. You can spend years having zero issues when you drink a venti latte in the A.M., followed by a grilled cheese sandwich at lunchuntil you suddenly do.
As most people age, they start making less lactase, an enzyme that breaks down lactose, the sugar in dairy products, Dr. Staller says. This is one cause of lactase deficiency and lactose intolerance. As your digestive systems bacteria try to break down lactose without enough lactase to do the job, you may experience annoying symptoms like more painful gas than usual.
Many people in their 20s and 30s have symptoms and dont suspect that its the dairy products, Dr. Staller says. If you think dairy is behind your painful gas, try cutting it out for a few weeks and see where that gets you.
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What About Probiotic Supplements
If probiotic-rich foods are good for digestion, is it better to just pop a pill? Probiotic supplements may play a role in managing gas and bloating, concluded a May 2019 Advances in Therapy review.
But for now, the research is unclear on the best probiotics for gas and flatulence we don’t know which probiotic strains or combination of probiotics work best in treating certain diseases or health conditions, per the Cleveland Clinic.
What’s more, you might experience some unintended side effects. Probiotics could cause an upset stomach, diarrhea, flatulence or bloating in the first few days after taking them, the Cleveland Clinic says.
In all, “some studies have shown minor benefit and some have not,” Dr. De Latour says.
Instead of focusing on supplements, she recommends sticking with a well-rounded, plant-based diet and avoiding foods that seem to trigger gas for you.
Get Up And Walk Around
Exercise isnt just great for your overall healthit can also help clear up painful gas and bloating. While a five-mile run probably isnt first on your to-do list when youre doubled over in pain, if you can manage a quick walk or other gentle movement, that can make a big difference.
Exercise helps exercise your intestines, too, Dr. Wakim-Fleming says. Experts dont know exactly why exercise helps move gas along, but something about physical activity helps to boost your intestines muscle activity, Ashkan Farhadi, M.D., a gastroenterologist at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center and director of MemorialCare Medical Groups Digestive Disease Project in Fountain Valley, Calif., tells SELF.
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Yoga And Sleeping Positions To Relieve Gas And Bloating
Written byDr. Victor MarchionePublished onMarch 30, 2017
From time to time, we all pass gas. Flatulence is a completely normal part of the digestive process. When we digest food, it is reduced to its molecular formthis also results in the release of hydrogen, methane, and carbon dioxide gas that needs to be expelled from the body somehow. Luckily for us, our digestive tract is situated in a way that gas can be released, voluntarily or not. This helps relieve bloating, discomfort, and pain associated with gas build up.
However, sometimes we need a bit of help to get the gasses moving, as holding it in can be particularly uncomfortable. The use of stretching exercises like yoga can help promote intestinal mobility, helping ease flatulence release. Positions to relieve gas help keep you regular and avoid that bloated feeling.
Try Natural Digestive Aids
There are many kinds of natural digestive aids available now in the form of over-the-counter supplements. These contain digestive enzymes which work with your bodys own enzymes, helping to make digestion faster and more efficient.
Certain types of supplements may contain the specific enzymes useful for breaking down complex carbohydrates in beans and other gas-producing foods. Talk to a naturopath or health practitioner about a quality supplement that contains the right blend of enzymes to suit your diet.
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What Forms Gas In Your Stomach
Your stomach and small intestine dont fully digest some of the carbohydratessugars, starches, and fiberin the food you eat. Undigested carbohydrates will pass to your large intestine, which contains bacteria. These bacteria break down undigested carbohydrates and create gas in the process.
When To See A Doctor If You Have Gas Pain And Bloating
In some occasions, you should see a doctor if you have a lot of intestinal gas that causes your stomach gas pain.
Doctors from the Mayo Clinic say that trapped gas isnt usually a serious condition. However, if you think that you have to constantly make yourself fart, you have diarrhea, constipation, unexplained weight loss, or blood in your stool then you should see a doctor.18
Its important to know that excess gas may also cause severe chest pains. Since there are many types of chest pain that you shouldnt ignore, if you have unexplained pains in your chest, and especially if they spread to your left arm or jaw, you should contact a doctor immediately.
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What You Can Do To Avoidtrapped Wind
Keep it even: Eating regular meals means your digestive system can get into a routine, allowing digestion to flow more smoothly.
Avoiding gassy foods: Certain foods create more gas in the digestive tract than others, like the infamously gassy baked beans. Vegetables like cabbage, cauliflower, sprouts, turnips, and leeks are also well known to be gassy. High fat foods and eggs are also notorious for producing bad smelling gas.
Chill: Mealtimes should ideally be relaxed times, as nervous tension can affect digestion. Feeling stressed can also make you gulp air. Try to practice some slow breathing before eating.
Slow Down: Eat slowly with your mouth closed to avoid gulping down air with your food. Try to avoid rushing meals and eating on the go. Guzzling down drinks, particularly fizzy ones or beer, instantly creates gas in the stomach, especially if they’re cold .
More tips for treating trapped wind:
- Drink warm water. Try adding a drop of peppermint oil to it
- Drink herbal tea chamomile, ginger, dandelion are particularly soothing
- Massaging your lower abdomen can get the wind moving
- Going for a walk uses gravity to move the gas out of your body
Do you want to learn more about Trapped Wind? Read more about the symptoms and causes of Trapped Wind.
What Is The Treatment For Excessive Flatulence Or Gas

The goal of treatment of flatulence is to reduce gas and smelly odor. Medical intervention includes treatment with antibiotics if bacterial overgrowth of the GI tract is suspected or evidence of parasitic infection is seen.
- Some promising studies have investigated feeding nonoffensive strains of bacteria to push out the bacteria that are offensive, although no established treatments are available at this time.
- Regulation of bowel function is essential. Constipation should be treated with increased dietary fiber or certain laxatives.
- In cases where anxiety causes the person to swallow air, the doctor may suggest the person seek mental health counseling to change habit patterns.
Read Also: What Causes Lower Stomach Cramps
What Do Gas Bubbles Feel Like In Your Stomach
Why do I feel bubbles popping in my stomach? As gas bubbles form, they can get trapped within the food being digested. Although a little trapped gas in the gastrointestinal tract is normal, stress or foods with lots of starch can result in more gas productionand large amounts of trapped gas bubbles can cause you to notice it.
How To Get Rid Of Gas Pains And Bloating
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Is gas normal?
The average adult passes gas between 13 and 21 times a day. Gas is a normal part of the digestion process. But if gas builds up in your intestines and youre unable to expel it, you may start to feel pain and discomfort.
Gas pain, bloating, and flatus frequency can be exacerbated by anything that causes diarrhea or constipation. Gas can also be caused by:
- overeating
- swallowing air while you eat or drink
- gum chewing
Make an appointment with your doctor if your gas symptoms:
- cause you distress
- change suddenly
- are accompanied with constipation, diarrhea, or weight loss
Your doctor can determine the underlying cause. If you dont already have a primary care provider, you can browse doctors in your area through the Healthline FindCare tool.
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Remedies And Treatments For Stomach Pain And Gas
Most stomach pain and gas will go away on its own, but there are steps you can take to ease discomfort and prevent future gas pain. Gas-related stomach pain remedies include:
Pass Gas
The only way to get rid of gas is to pass it. Donât hold it in. If youâre worried about odor, try reducing foods that contain sulfur-producing compounds such as broccoli, cabbage, and beer.
Over-the-Counter Medications
Many gas-relieving products are marketed, but scientific evidence of their effectiveness is limited. Many people claim to experience relief, so they may be worth trying. The most common medications that claim to relieve immediate symptoms are activated charcoal and simethicone .
Herbal Remedies
Peppermint and peppermint oil have the best record as digestive aids, but there are many other foods that may help. In one study, Chinese herbal formulae outperformed placebos in soothing IBS symptoms. Commonly included ingredients are:
- Wearing ill-fitting dentures
Enzymes Before Eating Certain Foods
Taking enzymes before you eat can help you better digest your meal. Most enzymes are only available for those with a medical condition that prevents them from producing their own. However, two widely available enzymes for problematic foods are:
- Lactase supplements can help those who are lactose intolerant.
- Alpha-galactosidase supplements can help people digest legumes.
How To Relieve Pain Caused By Trapped Gases
How to get rid of trapped gas is the primary concern for a person who is suffering from abdominal pain due to gas. To prevent further gas entrapment, please consider the following points:
- Avoid overeating
- Avoid swallowing of air
- Do not control belching to relieve the trapped gas in the chest
- In fact, make attempts to enhance belching and burping by drinking the solution of soda bicarbonate and water
- Try ginger or coriander seeds that will help you to digest cholagogue and release the trapped gas
Read Also: Does Acid Reflux Cause Stomach Pain
What Are Other Causes Of Excessive Flatulence Or Gas
Certain conditions can result in other foods being poorly absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract, allowing for increased bacterial activity.
- Malabsorption syndromes can be the result of decreased production of enzymes by the pancreas or problems with the gallbladder or lining of the intestines.
- SIBO is a condition in which there is an increase in the number and/or alteration of the bacterial types in the upper gastrointestinal track that may result in bloating, flatulence, abdominal and/or gas pain discomfort and diarrhea. The syndrome is usually associated with small intestinal motility disorders, and is treated with antibiotics.
- If transit through the colon is slowed down for any reason, bacteria have increased opportunity to ferment remaining material. If a person is constipated or has decreased bowel function for any reason, flatulence can develop.
- Alterations in bowel habits can be a result of the following:
- Poor dietary fiber
If the body does not digest and absorb some carbohydrates in the small intestine because of a shortage or absence of certain enzymes there, this undigested food then passes from the small intestine into the large intestine, where normal, harmless bacteria break down the food, producing hydrogen, carbon dioxide, and, in about a third of all people, methane. Eventually these gases exit through the rectum.
Foods that may cause acute and/or chronic constant flatulence or gas include:
Baking Soda And Lemon
To soothe an upset stomach you may try a combination of baking soda and lemon. Stir baking soda and ensure that it is completely dissolved, before drinking the solution.
There are quick, natural remedies available to rescue you of the gas trapped in your stomach. But a balanced diet and exercises can save you from hassle.
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Gas Pain After Surgery: Why It Happens And How To Relieve It
I am a board-certified anesthesiologist in Lake Tahoe, California. I write from the perspective of both a doctor and a patient.
If youve had surgery before, you may have experienced gas pain as one of the post-operative side effects. Indeed, the number of questions about this topic I get as a board-certified anesthesiologist suggest that many people suffer fromand seek relief fromthis type of pain.
There are two common types of gas pain that may occur after surgery. They are quite different from one another, but they are both bothersome. The two types are:
Lifestyle Changes To Help Prevent Gas

1. Eat smaller portions of foods that cause you gas
2. Eat more slowly
3. Chew foods well
4. Dont chew gum, smoke or drink through a straw as they can cause excessive swallowing of air
5. Avoid carbonated beverages
Gas pains can be mistaken for certain serious conditions including:
- Heart disease
- Pain in the lymph nodes of the throat, armpits or groin
- Unusual fatigue
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