Intestinal Gas
OVERVIEW | CAUSES | Care and Treatment | Home remedies | when to call a doctor | REFERENCES
OVERVIEW
Intestinal gas, or air in the digestive tract, is usually not noticed until we burp or pass it rectally (flatulence). The entire digestive tract, from the stomach to the rectum, contains intestinal gas as the natural consequence of swallowing and digestion.
In fact, certain foods, such as beans, are not fully broken down until they reach the large intestine (colon), where bacteria act on (ferment) them.
Excessive intestinal gas sometimes indicates a digestive disorder, but everyone passes gas several times daily, and occasional burping or belching is normal.
CAUSES
Gas in the digestive tract comes from two sources:
- Aerophagia (air swallowing). This is usually caused by eating or drinking rapidly, chewing gum, smoking, or wearing loose dentures
Belching is the way most swallowed air leaves the stomach. The remaining gas is partially absorbed into the small intestine and a small amount goes into the large intestine and is released through the rectum. - Breakdown of certain undigested foods by harmless bacteria naturally present in the large intestine (colon)
Some carbohydrates (sugar, starches, and fiber) are not digested or absorbed in the small intestine because of a shortage or absence of certain enzymes. The undigested or unabsorbed food then passes into the large intestine, where harmless and normal bacteria break down the food. This process produces hydrogen, carbon dioxide, and, in about one-third of all people, methane gases, which are released through the rectum.
Foods that commonly cause gas
Most foods that contain carbohydrates can cause gas, however, fats and proteins cause little gas. Foods that cause gas include the following:
- Raffinose. A complex sugar found in beans, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, asparagus, other vegetables, and whole grains.
- Lactose. A natural sugar found in milk and milk products, such as cheese, ice cream, and processed foods, such as bread, cereal, and salad dressing. Gas after eating these foods may mean you have lactose intolerance.
- Fructose. A sugar found in onions, artichokes, pears, and wheat. Fructose is also used as a sweetener in some soft drinks and fruit drinks.
- Sorbitol. A sugar found naturally in fruits, including apples, pears, peaches, and prunes. Sorbitol is also used as an artificial sweetener in many dietetic foods and sugar-free candies and gums.
- Starches. Most starches, including potatoes, corn, noodles, and wheat produce gas as they are broken down in the large intestine. (Rice is the only starch that does not cause gas.)
- Soluble fiber. Fiber that dissolves easily in water and takes on a soft, gel-like texture in the intestines; is found in oat bran, beans, peas, and most fruits.
- Insoluble fiber. Fiber, such as that found in wheat bran and some vegetables, which passes essentially unchanged through the intestines and produces little gas.
Care and Treatment
Specific treatment for gas in the digestive tract will be determined by your doctor based on:
- Your age, overall health, and medical history
- Extent of the condition
- Your tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies
- Expectations for the course of the condition
- Your opinion or preference
Home Remedies
You can try out these home remedies for intestinal gas-
1. Let it out
Holding in gas can cause bloating, discomfort, and pain. The easiest way to avoid these symptoms is to simply let out the gas.
2. Pass stool
A bowel movement can relieve gas. Passing stool will usually release any gas trapped in the intestines.
3. Eat slowly
Eating too quickly or while moving can cause a person to take in air as well as food, leading to gas-related pain.
Quick eaters can slow down by chewing each bite of food 30 times. Breaking down food in such a way aids digestion and can prevent a number of related complaints, including bloating and indigestion.
4. Avoid chewing gum
As a person chews gum they tend to swallow air, which increases the likelihood of trapped wind and gas pains.
Sugarless gum also contains artificial sweeteners, which may cause bloating and gas.
5. Say no to straws
Often, drinking through a straw causes a person to swallow air. Drinking directly from a bottle can have the same effect, depending on the bottle’s size and shape.
To avoid gas pain and bloating, it is best to sip from a glass.
6. Quit smoking
Whether using traditional or electronic cigarettes, smoking causes air to enter the digestive tract. Because of the range of health issues linked to smoking, quitting is wise for many reasons.
7. Choose non-carbonated drinks
Carbonated drinks, such as sparkling water and sodas, send a lot of gas to the stomach. This can cause bloating and pain.
8. Eliminate problematic foods
Eating certain foods can cause trapped gas. Individuals find different foods problematic.
However, the foods below frequently cause gas to build up:
- Artificial sweeteners, such as aspartame, sorbitol, and maltitol
- Cruciferous vegetables, including broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower
- Dairy products
- Fiber drinks and supplements
- Fried foods
- Garlic and onions
- High-fat foods
- Legumes, a group that includes beans and lentils
- Prunes and prune juice
- Spicy foods
Keeping a food diary can help a person to identify trigger foods. Some, like artificial sweeteners, may be easy to cut out of the diet.
Others, like cruciferous vegetables and legumes, provide a range of health benefits. Rather than avoiding them entirely, a person may try reducing their intake or preparing the foods differently.
9. Drink tea
Some herbal teas may aid digestion and reduce gas pain fast. The most effective include teas made from:
- Anise
- Chamomile
- Ginger
- Peppermint
Anise acts as a mild laxative and should be avoided if diarrhea accompanies gas. However, it can be helpful if constipation is responsible for trapped gas.
10. Snack on fennel seeds
Fennel is an age-old solution for trapped wind. Chewing on a teaspoon of the seeds is a popular natural remedy.
However, anyone pregnant or breast-feeding should probably avoid doing so, due to conflicting reports concerning safety.
11. Take peppermint supplements
Peppermint oil capsules have long been taken to resolve issues like bloating, constipation, and trapped gas. Research supports the use of peppermint for these symptoms.
Always choose enteric-coated capsules. Uncoated capsules may dissolve too quickly in the digestive tract, which can lead to heartburn.
Peppermint inhibits the absorption of iron, so these capsules should not be taken with iron supplements or by people who have anemia.
12. Clove oil
Clove oil has traditionally been used to treat digestive complaints, including bloating, gas, and indigestion. It may also have ulcer-fighting properties.(source)
Consuming clove oil after meals can increase digestive enzymes and reduce the amount of gas in the intestines.
13. Apply heat
When gas pains strike, place a hot water bottle or heating pad on the stomach. The warmth relaxes the muscles in the gut, helping gas to move through the intestines. Heat can also reduce the sensation of pain.
14. Address digestive issues
People with certain digestive difficulties are more likely to experience trapped gas. Those with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or inflammatory bowel disease, for example, often experience bloating and gas pain.
Addressing these issues through lifestyle changes and medication can improve the quality of life.
People with lactose intolerance who frequently experience gas pain should take greater steps to avoid lactose or take lactase supplements.
15. Add apple cider vinegar to water
Apple cider vinegar aids the production of stomach acid and digestive enzymes. It may also help to alleviate gas pain quickly.
Add a tablespoon of the vinegar to a glass of water and drink it before meals to prevent gas pain and bloating. It is important to then rinse the mouth with water, as vinegar can erode tooth enamel.
16. Take probiotics
Probiotic supplements add beneficial bacteria to the gut. They are used to treat several digestive complaints, including infectious diarrhea.
17. Exercise
Gentle exercises can relax the muscles in the gut, helping to move gas through the digestive system. Walking or doing yoga poses after meals may be especially beneficial.
18. Take an over-the-counter remedy
Several products can get rid of gas pain fast.
Anyone who is pregnant or taking other medications should discuss with a doctor before taking any OTC medication.
When to call a doctor
By itself, intestinal gas rarely indicates a serious condition. It can cause discomfort and embarrassment, but it's usually just a sign of a normally functioning digestive system. If you're bothered by intestinal gas, try changing your diet.
However, see your doctor if your gas is persistent or severe, or if it's associated with vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, unintentional weight loss, blood in the stool or heartburn.
