GAS PAIN IN YOUR BODY

gas pain

About gas pain in your body: 

Gas pain may occur if gas is trapped or not moving well through your digestive system. An increase in gas or gas pain may result from eating foods that are more likely to produce gas. Often, relatively simple changes in eating habits can lessen bothersome gas.

Overview:

Gas in your digestive system is part of the normal process of digestion. Getting rid of excess gas, either by burping or passing gas (flatus), also is normal. Gas pain may occur if gas is trapped or not moving well through your digestive system.

An increase in gas or gas pain may result from eating foods that are more likely to produce gas. Often, relatively simple changes in eating habits can lessen bothersome gas.

Certain digestive system disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome or celiac disease, may cause — in addition to other signs and symptoms — an increase in gas or gas pain.

Symptoms:

Signs or symptoms of gas or gas pains include:

• Burping
• Passing gas
• Pain, cramps or a knotted feeling in your abdomen
• A feeling of fullness or pressure in your abdomen (bloating)
• An observable increase in the size of your abdomen (distention)

Burping is normal, particularly during or right after a meal. Most people pass gas up to 20 times a day. Therefore, while having gas may be inconvenient or embarrassing, burping and passing gas are rarely by themselves a sign of a medical problem.

When to see a doctor:

Talk to your doctor if your gas or gas pains are so persistent or severe that they interfere with your ability to function well in daily life. Gas or gas pains accompanied by other signs or symptoms may indicate more serious conditions. See your doctor if you experience any of these additional signs or symptoms:

• Bloody stools
• Change in consistency of stools
• Change in frequency of bowel movements
• Weight loss
• Constipation or diarrhea
• Persistent or recurrent nausea or vomiting

Seek immediate care if you experience:

• Prolonged abdominal pain
• Chest pain

Causes:

Gas in your stomach is primarily caused by swallowing air when you eat or drink. Most stomach gas is released when you burp.

Gas forms in your large intestine (colon) when bacteria ferment carbohydrates — fiber, some starches, and some sugars — that aren't digested in your small intestine. Bacteria also consume some of that gas, but the remaining gas is released when you pass gas from your anus.

Common foods that cause gas:

Certain high-fiber foods may cause gas, including:

• Beans and peas (legumes)
• Fruits
• Vegetables
• Whole grains

While high-fiber foods increase gas production, fiber is essential for keeping your digestive tract in good working order and regulating blood sugar and cholesterol levels.

Other dietary factors:

Other dietary factors that can contribute to increased gas in the digestive system include the following:

• Carbonated beverages, such as soda and beer, increase stomach gas.
• Eating habits, such as eating too quickly, drinking through a straw, chewing gum, sucking on candies, or talking while chewing results in swallowing more air.
• Fiber supplements containing psyllium, such as Metamucil, may increase colon gas.
• Sugar substitutes or artificial sweeteners, such as sorbitol, mannitol, and xylitol, found in some sugar-free foods and beverages may cause excess colon gas.

Medical conditions:

Medical conditions that may increase intestinal gas, bloating or gas pain include the following:

• Chronic intestinal disease. Excess gas is often a symptom of chronic intestinal conditions, such as diverticulitis, ulcerative colitis, or Crohn's disease.
• Small bowel bacterial overgrowth. An increase or change in the bacteria in the small intestine can cause excess gas, diarrhea, and weight loss.
• Food intolerances. Gas or bloating may occur if your digestive system can't break down and absorb certain foods, such as the sugar in dairy products (lactose) or proteins such as gluten in wheat and other grains.
• Constipation. Constipation may make it difficult to pass gas.

8 tips to get rid of gas and accompanying symptoms:

If changing your diet doesn’t completely do the trick, you have several options to try.

1. Peppermint
2. Chamomile tea
3. Simethicone
4. Activated charcoal
5. Apple cider vinegar
6. Physical activity
7. Lactase supplements
8. Cloves

1. Peppermint: Studies have shown that peppermint tea or supplements may reduce symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, including gas. Talk to your doctor before you start using supplements. Peppermint can interfere with iron absorption and certain medications. It may also cause heartburn in some people.

Supplements will have directions about how much you should take on the bottle. For peppermint tea, drink one cup before each meal for the best results.

2. Chamomile tea:

Chamomile tea can also help reduce indigestion, trapped gas, and bloating. Drinking chamomile tea before meals and at bedtime may reduce symptoms for some people.

3. Simethicone:

Simethicone is an over-the-counter medication that is available under several different brand names. These include:

• Gas-X
• Mylanta Gas
• Phazyme

Simethicone works by consolidating gas bubbles in your stomach, allowing you to expel them more easily. Follow dosing instructions, and make sure to discuss this medication with your doctor, if you’re taking other medications or pregnant.

4. Activated charcoal:

Activated charcoal is another type of over-the-counter medication that helps eliminate gas trapped in your colon. You take tablets right before and one hour after meals.

5. Apple cider vinegar:

Dilute a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in a beverage, like water or tea. Drink right before meals or up to three times daily as long as needed to reduce symptoms.

6. Physical activity:

Exercise can help release trapped gas and gas pain. Try walking after meals as a way to avoid gas. If you have gas pain, jumping rope, running, or walking may help you expel it.

7. Lactase supplements:

Lactose is a sugar in milk. People with lactose intolerance can’t digest this sugar. Lactase is the enzyme the body uses to break down lactose. Lactase supplements are available over the counter and can help your body digest lactose.

8. Cloves:

Cloves are an herb used in cooking. Clove oil may help reduce bloating and gas by producing digestive enzymes. Add two to five drops to an 8-ounce glass of water and drink after meals.

Preventing gas:

If no medical condition is causing the problem, preventing gas may best be accomplished by altering lifestyle habits and diet:

• Sit down during each meal and eat slowly.
• Try not to take in too much air while you eat and talk.
• Stop chewing gum.
• Avoid soda and other carbonated beverages.
• Avoid smoking.
• Find ways to work exercise into your routine, such as taking a walk after a meal.
• Eliminate foods known to cause gas.
• Avoid drinking through straws.

Conditions that cause gas, pains, and bloating: 

Some conditions can cause excess gas. They include:

• Gastroenteritis
• Lactose intolerance
• Celiac disease
• Crohn’s disease
• Diabetes
• Peptic ulcer
• Irritable bowel syndrome

The bottom line:

Gas can be painful, but it typically isn’t dangerous. If gas pain or bloating are issues for you, look to your diet and lifestyle to see what changes you can make. In many cases, lifestyle and diet modification may be able to eliminate the issue completely.

Make an appointment with your doctor if you don’t notice a difference after several weeks of lifestyle and diet changes. They can run tests to see if your symptoms are caused by a medical condition.

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