Introduction
Gas in the digestive system is standard as it is part of the digestive process. Excess gas present in the body is usually removed from the system in the form of burps or by passing gas or flatus. Gas pain occurs when the gas is trapped and does not move well through the digestive system. An increase in the presence of gas causes gas pain may be as a result of eating food items that exude more gas. Simple changes in eating habits can significantly reduce gas. Specific digestive disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome or celiac disease may lead to an increase in gas and gas aches.
Symptoms
Typical and precise symptoms of gas pains include:-
- Passing gas
- Excessive Burping
- Cramps, pain or a knotted feeling in the abdomen
- A sensation of feeling full or pressure in the stomach (bloating)
- An observable increase in the size of the abdomen (distention)
Burping right after consuming a meal is considered normal. It is observed that a majority pass gas up to twenty times in a day. The general misconception of having gas may be inconvenient or embarrassing, burping and passing gas is rarely symptoms of a medical condition.
Causes
Gas in the stomach is primarily caused when swallowing air while you eat or drink, although most stomach gas is released when burping. Gas forms and accumulates in your large intestine or colon when bacteria begin to ferment the carbohydrates, fiber, starch, and sugar that aren’t properly digested in the small intestine. Bacteria consume some of the gas produced, but the majority of the remaining gas is released when gas is passed through the anus.
Some of the high-fiber food items that cause gas include:-
- Fruits
- Vegetables
- Whole grains
- Beans and peas (legumes)
Fiber-rich food items are known to increase the production of gas. Despite this fact, fiber is essential for keeping the digestive tract in good working condition to regulate blood sugar and cholesterol levels.
Treatment
- Avoid foods known to cause gas such as certain fruits like apples and pears, specific vegetables like broccoli, Brussels sprout and onions, dairy products and items containing sugar and starch.
- Drink before meals, as drinking while consuming loosen stomach acids making it difficult to break down food. Drink 30 minutes before the meal to help better digestion.
- Tend to eat and drink slowly. Rapid chewing and drinking can swallow a lot of air causing an increased presence of gas.
- Consume over the counter digestive aid like Beano which contains an enzyme that can break down complex carbohydrates into more digestible sugars.
- Consuming activated charcoal in the form of pills or liquid can reduce bloating and gas.
- Avoid habits such as smoking, chewing gum and drinking through a straw as it can cause your stomach to fill up with air and lead to gas trouble.
- Avoid artificial sweeteners such as sorbitol, and other sugar-related alcohols present in sugar-free food can aggravate gas.