Behaviors Food Choices And Activity
Eating behaviors and other habits such as gum chewing, gulping foods and drinking with eating can cause us to swallow air. Bulky foods such as lettuce, cabbage, and dense breads not chewed into small enough pieces increase swallowed air.
Typically, swallowed air contains oxygen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide. It tends to not have a foul smell, but it does contribute to the discomfort associated with gas.
People vary widely in how sensitive they are to gas production. Keeping a food record to document incidences of gas in relation to foods eaten can shed light on whether food or behavior may be aggravating the situation.
What Causes Trapped Wind
Everybody has trapped wind symptoms from time to time. In most cases, this is part of the natural working of the body and the symptoms soon pass. Some people complain they are feeling bloated all the time. As mentioned above, people are occasionally sensitive to normal amounts of gas in the tummy. The reasons for this are not entirely clear.
There are some conditions associated with larger than normal amounts of gas in the tummy:
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
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Is Excess Gas Ever Cause For Concern
While gas is normal, there are times when it could be a red flag for a serious health issue. If gas occurs more frequently than usual, or if its accompanied by other symptoms, like abdominal pain, weight loss, fever, or bloody stools, you should speak with your doctor.
These symptoms could be signs of a digestive disorder, such as celiac disease, ulcerative colitis, or Crohns disease, says Dr. Staller.
Otherwise, realize that gas is a small reminder that your digestion is working as it should.
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Gas In The Lower Abdomen
Below are some potential causes of gas in the lower abdomen.
Fermentation
A person experiencing symptoms of gas in the lower part of their belly or abdomen may be experiencing gas from fermentation.
Stomach acid helps to break down food and pass it on to the intestines. The intestines break down the food even further in a process that sometimes releases gases. These gases either make their way to the stomach and leave the body as a burp or travel through the intestines and leave the body as flatulence.
Some foods may produce gas more than others. The list some common foods that may cause gas, including:
- greens, such as kale, cabbage, and Brussel sprouts
- vegetables, such as onions, cauliflower, and broccoli
- beans, including black, pinto, and kidney beans
- dairy products, such as cheese, yogurt, and ice cream
- high fiber foods, such as whole grains and fruits
- sugar substitutes and sweeteners, such as sorbitol, mannitol, and xylitol
Irritable bowel syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome is an umbrella term for a group of digestive symptoms that can cause pain, discomfort, and changes in bowel movements.
A person with IBS may experience an excessive amount of intestinal gas. This excess gas may lead to abdominal pain, bloating, and flatulence. Other possible symptoms of IBS include:
In extreme cases, the small intestine may be unable to absorb sufficient nutrients from food. This may lead to complications, such as weight loss and anemia.
Food intolerances
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Diagram Naming The Parts Of The Gut
There is always a certain amount of gas in the bowel. Most of this comes from air swallowed whilst you eat or drink. It can also happen during smoking or when swallowing saliva. Larger amounts can be swallowed when you eat quickly, gulp down a drink or chew gum. The swallowed air goes down into the gullet .
If you are sitting up, the air tends to go back up the oesophagus and escapes again through the mouth in the process of belching. If you are lying flat, the air tends to pass downwards causing gas in the stomach. This can result in bloating after eating and a hard, swollen tummy. The gas eventually enters the small bowel and escapes through the back passage . People often refer to this as ‘farting’ or, more politely, ‘passing wind’/’passing gas’, or flatulence.
Gas can also be produced due to germs acting on partially digested food in the gut. This is more likely to happen with some foods than others. Broccoli, baked beans and Brussels sprouts are well-known culprits. The number of germs in the bowel also has an effect on the volume of gas produced. The gas that is made is mainly composed of carbon dioxide, hydrogen and methane. It may contain traces of a chemical called sulfur. This is responsible for the unpleasant smell experienced when you pass wind through the back passage.
What Is Intestinal Gas
Intestinal gas is a mix of odorless vapors, including oxygen, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, hydrogen and methane. This gas forms in the digestive system. When these vapors mix with intestinal bacteria, an unpleasant sulfur odor can develop.
Your body releases gas through the mouth or rectum . Sometimes gas gets trapped in the stomach. This gas buildup causes abdominal pain and bloating .
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How Much Gas Is Too Much
Truth be told, passing gas happens a lot more than you think. On average, its normal to fart between 14 and 23 times throughout your day, often without attracting much notice. For most people, its not a major problem. But if you find yourself consistently farting in an excessive manner or if it comes with any sensation of pain, you should consult a doctor.
What To Do For Intestinal Gas
Now that you have a sense of what might be causing you to experience excessive intestinal gas, you can take some steps to address the problem:
Don’t delay your bowel movements. Are you one of those people who ignore the sensations to have a bowel movement until you get home? This might result in gas building up within the intestines, causing pain and bloating. And when you do pass gas, it may be smellier, as it is moving around the stool.
Watch what you eat when you really need to be gas-free. As we said before, intestinal gas is good for us. But for the days when it is extra important that you not be gassy, you can choose foods that are less likely to give you gas, and avoid those that have a reputation for being gassy.
Look into a supplement. There are many over-the-counter supplements to choose from. Ask your pharmacist to guide you to the right one for you. Here are some options:
- Simethicone products
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What Are The Risk Factors For Aerophagia
Aerophagia can happen anytime a person swallows too much air, but this may occur more often for certain people. For example, aerophagia is sometimes associated with anxiety, which can cause irregular breathing patterns.
Certain activities, such as drinking carbonated beverages, may also increase the amount of air you swallow. Aerophagia is a common side effect of continuous positive airway pressure therapy, a treatment for obstructive sleep apnea, especially during the initial phase of treatment.
You’re Not Moving And Hydrating Enough
“Exercise, exercise, exercise,” says Dr. Lee. “Being physically active and physically fit is single-handedly the most effective way to keep your GI motility moving, as people with slower GI motility tend to suffer from constipation and or inefficient/incomplete defecation, which produces methane gas, resulting in excessive flatulence.” Translation: Exercise can help you have healthier, more consistent poops and fart less.
Drinking lots of water also helps. Why? “Water is a magnet to fiber,” says Majumdar. As fiber is digested, it absorbs water, which helps it pass through your digestive tract more easily. This also helps prevent constipation.
The bottom line on why you’re so gassy at night: While gas is a totally normal part of being human, if you’re really gassy in the morning or at night, or are just concerned about the amount of gas you have in general, consider talking to a pro. “No one knows your body better than you,” says Dr. Lee. “If the amount of gas is concerning to you , then you should see a physician for evaluation. Then seeing a dietitian for healthy diet options and choices is always a great idea.”
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Why Do I Have So Much Gas
Excess upper intestinal gas can result from swallowing more than a usual amount of air, overeating, smoking or chewing gum. Excess lower intestinal gas can be caused by eating too much of certain foods, by the inability to fully digest certain foods or by a disruption in the bacteria normally found in the colon.
Coping With Intestinal Gas
Patients with flatulence can experience abdominal pain, stomach cramps, dizziness, and even headaches.
Patients with flatulence can experience abdominal pain, stomach cramps, dizziness, and even headaches.
Flatulence is intestinal gas from the rectum it is both normal and necessary. While everyone does it, discussing it is socially taboo, and parents teach kids from an early age to pass gas in private. Many people find flatulence funny, but excess gas is no joking matter holding it in can cause stomach cramps, abdominal pain, dizziness, and headaches. Along with physical symptoms, many people with excess gas socially isolate themselves, fearing they will accidently release gas in front of others. Table 1 presents facts about gas some may surprise you.
Table 1. Facts About Gas
âºHealthy people pass gas 10 to 22 times each day men and women pass gas about the same number of times each day.
âºIntestinal gas is a mixture of 5 gases, but only 1% of the gas is responsible for odors. There is no relationship between a gas’s odor and its sound.
âºMen produce more gas than women because males are generally larger. A mans flatulence measures about one half cup per incident a womans measures about one third cup.
âºWomen produce more foul-smelling gas than men.
âºGas is released in 1 of 3 ways: burping, from the rectum, or by being absorbed into the blood stream and exhaled from the lungs.
Causes of Gas
What Can I Do?
Table 2. Gas Producing Foods
Talk to Your Doctor
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Why Does My Stomach Always Have Air
This air most often never even reaches the stomach but accumulates in the esophagus. You may swallow excess air if you eat or drink too fast, talk while you eat, chew gum, suck on hard candies, drink carbonated beverages, or smoke. Some people swallow air as a nervous habit even when theyre not eating or drinking.
You’re Eating Too Much Cruciferous Veggies
Cauliflower, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts are delicious, but theyre also known stinkifiers. If youre in the habit of having certain kinds of foods like these, they may make you gassier than others, Dr. Farhadi says.
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One way to fix this is to spice it up. Herbs and spices such as carom, cumin, ginger, fennel seeds, peppermint, and turmeric are great for reducing gassiness and bloating, says Vanessa Méndez, MD, a triple board-certified gastroenterologist, internist, and lifestyle medicine physician who specializes in digestive disorders based in South Florida. Plus, they could give your favorite veggies a pop of bold and delicious flavor.
Asafoetida offers relief from gas, she says. Just by adding a small pinch to your dishes, you can nix it.
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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
How Are These Symptoms Treated
Even severe symptoms usually improve over time with diet and lifestyle changes. Your doctor can help you decide which treatments are best for you.
Diet: Eat and drink more slowly to swallow less air. Limit fatty and spicy foods. Avoid caffeine, carbonated drinks, and artificial sweeteners. Avoid common gas-causing foods, such as beans, peas, lentils, cabbage, onions, broccoli, cauliflower, and whole grains. Try removing one food at a time from your diet to see if your gas improves.
Fiber: Fiber has many benefits, although too much fiber may increase the amount of gas in your intestines.
Exercise: Regular daily exercise often reduces symptoms in the stomach and intestines.
Laxatives: Over-the-counter laxatives, such as polyethylene glycol , may help with constipation but probably not with stomach pain.
Antidiarrheal medicines: Over-the-counter loperamide may help with diarrhea but probably not with stomach pain.
Probiotics: Probiotics are found in some over-the-counter supplements and yogurts. Common probiotics are Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium.
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What Causes Excessive Gas In The Stomach
Disclaimer: Results are not guaranteed*** and may vary from person to person***.
What causes excessive gas is largely the air we take in when eating and drinking, but air can also be swallowed by chewing tobacco, from hyperventilating, and from loose dentures.There are many ways you can manage excessive gas, and among them are alsohomeopathic remedies for flatulence that can help with the discomfort.
Eating foods that are high in fiber such as cabbage, beans and apples, and drinking carbonated beverages such as soda can also cause excess gas. Being lactose intolerant is another cause of bloating and gas.
Passing gas is a normal bodily function. It happens every day, and multiple times a day at that, at least 10 to 12 times even up to 23 times a day is considered normal. It may not be socially acceptable behavior, but itâs still a perfectly natural one.
The Timing Of Your Eating Plays A Role Too
Besides food choice, how gassy you are in the morning, at night, or anytime just all of a sudden, may also be a result of how much you ate and when.
“I see people have trouble with evening digestion if they go long periods of time without eating and/or backload and makes digestion more difficult,” says Majumdar.
“If you don’t eat or drink consistently throughout the day, the stomach can end up crampy and angry when a load of food hits it,” so finding a consistent eating and drinking schedule is key, she says.
Even if you tend to eat your meals later or earlier than average , being consistent is the most important part. When you’re irregular and inconsistent with your eating schedule, the body can’t set a circadian rhythm, she adds.
And, unsurprisingly, your gut will really hate you if you cram in a ton of fiber-filled foods at dinner. “If the body is not used to large amounts of raw fruits and vegetables , it will have a hard time adapting,” says Majumdar.
While women need a lot of fiber (25 grams per day, according to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, if you suddenly increase the amount of fiber you’re getting every day too quickly, your gut will be sure to let you know.
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When To See A Doctor About Excessive Gas
Excessive gas treatment ultimately comes down to trying to figure out whats actually behind all that burping and farting. In the case of a potential food sensitivity or allergy, an underlying gastrointestinal condition, or anxiety, its often helpful to get a doctors input to help you get to the root of your issue, Dr. Farhadi says.
If you feel like your gas is excessive, youve noticed an overall change in your digestive habits, your flatulence comes with other symptoms , or youre anxious about whether or not something is normal, its always worth checking in with a doctor who can help put your mindand your gutat ease. Ditto if it feels like excess gas is interfering with your life, like youre nervous to be in a car or room with someone else over fears that youll accidentally let one fly, Dr. Farhadi says.
Finally, know that gassiness is a normal part of life. Its a good time to remind you that passing gas is healthy, so if your belches and farts arent excessive, this might not be something you need to worry about. Its normal to expel about one to four pints of gas per day! So try to think of any lingering awkwardness as a sign that your digestive processes are humming along. Its important to understand that farting is normal, Dr. Balzora reiterates. But it shouldnt be ignored if youre having other symptoms.