Everything You Need to Know About Gas: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Excessive gas and bloating is one of the most embarrassing situations people have to deal with. At best, it leads to some awkward moments and self-consciousness. At worst, it can be extremely uncomfortable physically and take a toll on your overall quality of life.

The good news is that gas and bloating are highly manageable conditions, and sometimes, avoiding just a few gas-producing culprits can provide immense relief. In this guide, we’ll cover all you need to know about the symptoms and causes of gas in the digestive tract, to be aware of and ways to find an effective treatment of gastroenterology issues through diet, lifestyle changes, over-the-counter remedies, and medical treatments when needed.

What is Gas?

Gas is a normal byproduct of the digestion process that occurs in the stomach and intestines. As food is broken down, gases like carbon dioxide, hydrogen, and methane are produced and eventually released from the body through burping or flatulence (passing gas).

While some gas is normal, excessive gas can be uncomfortable and even embarrassing. Understanding the common causes of gas and recognizing the symptoms of gas buildup can help you get relief.

Causes of Gas

There are many potential causes of gas and bloating, including:

• Swallowing air – This can happen from eating or drinking too quickly, smoking, chewing gum, or wearing loose dentures.
• Diet – Certain foods are simply harder to digest than others, resulting in more gas production. Beans, broccoli, cabbage, carbonated drinks, and some starches and fibre can increase gas.
• Lactose intolerance – Being lactose intolerant means your body can’t fully digest the sugar (lactose) in dairy products, causing gas.
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) – This chronic condition affects the muscles in the intestines, impairing digestion and leading to gas pains.
• Constipation – When stool remains in the intestines for too long, it can ferment and produce excess gas.
• Artificial sweeteners – Sugar alcohols like sorbitol, xylitol, and mannitol are hard to digest and can cause bloating.

Symptoms of Gas

Excessive gas often comes with symptoms of gas buildup, such as:

In some cases, gas may be accompanied by vomiting or diarrhoea. If excessive gas is accompanied by severe abdominal pain, fever, or blood in stool, it could indicate a more serious condition requiring medical attention.

Gas Relief and Treatment

While occasional gas is normal, frequent or excessive gas may require some lifestyle changes or medical treatment for gastroenterology issues. Here are some tips for relieving gas:

Over-the-Counter Remedies

• Antacids – These can help neutralise stomach acid and relieve gas pressure. Look for ones containing simethicone.
• Digestive enzymes – Alpha-galactosidase products like Beano (which contains a natural food enzyme that helps prevent gas before it starts) can help break down indigestible sugars that cause gas.

Dietary Changes

• Avoid gas-producing foods – Cut back on beans, broccoli, cabbage, carbonation, and high-fibre foods temporarily.
• Increase water intake – Staying hydrated can help move food through the digestive system smoothly.
• Try probiotics – These beneficial bacteria in yoghurt, or supplements may aid digestion.

Lifestyle Habits

• Don’t smoke or chew gum – This can reduce air swallowing.
• Exercise regularly – Physical activity helps expel intestinal gas and relieves pressure.
• Change eating patterns – Eat slowly, chew thoroughly, and don’t gulp beverages to minimise air swallowing.

Medical Treatments

If dietary and lifestyle adjustments aren’t providing enough treatment of gastroenterology issues causing excessive gas, medications or other therapies may be recommended, such as:

• Antibiotics to treat small bacterial overgrowth
• Antidepressants for irritable bowel syndrome
• Prescription drugs like Beano to break down gas-causing sugars
• Peppermint capsules to reduce spasms and gas

In some cases, diagnostic testing or procedures by a gastroenterologist may be needed to identify and treat the underlying cause of severe, chronic gas problems.

While burping and passing gas occasionally is normal and harmless, excessive gas and bloating can indicate diet or digestive issues that may need medical treatment of gastroenterology. By understanding what causes gas and recognizing the symptoms of gas buildup, you can make adjustments for relief and better digestive health.

To know more about gastric issues or want to get treatment from expert gastrologists in Delhi, visit PSRI Hospital. We are here to help you in every manner we can. Book an appointment today to know more.

FAQs

How much gas is normal?

It’s normal to pass gas around 14-23 times per day. Everybody farts! However, if you are experiencing excessive gas along with bloating, cramps, and other digestive discomfort, it could indicate a problem that needs attention.

What foods cause the most gas?

Some of the biggest gas culprits are beans, broccoli, cabbage, carbonated drinks, and dairy products for those who are lactose intolerant. Foods high in fibre, artificial sweeteners, and certain starches and sugars also tend to produce more gas as they are broken down in the intestines.

How can I reduce embarrassing gas?

Try avoiding or limiting gas-producing foods, eating slowly, not drinking through a straw, taking gas relief supplements, exercising regularly, and making other simple diet and lifestyle adjustments. Over-the-counter medicines like simethicone can also help.

When should I see a doctor about excessive gas?

You should make an appointment with your doctor if excessive gas is accompanied by severe abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, fever, or blood in your stool. These could be signs of a more serious condition that needs medical treatment.

What medical treatments are available for problematic gas?

If dietary and lifestyle changes don’t provide enough relief, medical options include antibiotics for bacterial overgrowth, antidepressants for irritable bowel syndrome, prescription gas relief medications, peppermint capsules, and potential diagnostic testing to find the underlying cause.