Things You Must Know About Gas Trouble & its Solutions

Gastro Sciences | by Dr. Ajay Mandal | Published on 14/11/2022

In this era of a fast-paced world, the kind of food we are consuming on a daily basis is filled with fats, sugars, oil, and trans fats. As a consequence, we have to face the problem of an upset stomach causing gas troubles.

There is no particular targeted age group for gas trouble. It not only affects adults and elders but also children and teenagers. If you are someone who keeps going through a gas trouble problem, then this write-up is for you.

Just stick till the end and you will get all your questions answered comprehensively.

What is gas trouble?

Gas is a digestive disorder that usually doesn’t pose any severe health problems but if ignored for a longer period, then it can be intricate. It is the normal digestion process. Usually, humans get rid of gas by burping and passing gas which is also completely normal. Gas pain may happen if it’s trapped and unable to move around the digestive system.

An increase in gas trouble is an outcome of food that produces gas. There are different digestive disorders like irritable bowel syndrome and celiac disease. Intestinal gas is a combination of odourless vapours that involves nitrogen, hydrogen, methane, oxygen, and carbon dioxide.

What causes gas trouble?

Various reasons are there behind heavy gas trouble problems such as constantly living on an empty stomach for long and excessive consumption of unhealthy or spicy food. There are also other reasons for gas trouble such as stress, anxiety, and tension. The most common habit of not chewing the food right is also the primary cause of this issue.

Let’s find the different causes of gas trouble:

Common foods causing gas trouble

There are high-fiber foods that cause the gas and the food items include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, and peas. Fibre is important to keep your digestive health in good functioning order, blood sugar regulation, and maintain cholesterol levels even if it can cause a gas problem.

Dietary factors for causing the gas problem

Dietary factors play the primary role when it comes to the gas problem. Here are the factors contributing to gas in the digestive system:

• Carbonated drinks like beer, soda, and any kind of alcohol.
• Eating habits like chewing too quickly, candies sucking, talking while eating, swallowing air, drinking through a straw, and chewing gum.
• Fibre supplements like psyllium or Metamucil cause an increase in colon gas.
• Sugar alternatives also known as artificial sweeteners like mannitol, sorbitol, and xylitol cause massive colon gas.

Medical conditions causing gas trouble problem

Medication conditions are also the reason for gas trouble as it increases bloating and gas pain. Here are the conditions:

• Chronic intestinal disease is one of the medical conditions that cause excessive gas trouble. The gas problem usually is a symptom of various intestinal conditions like ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, and diverticulitis.
• Small bowel bacterial overgrowth is a medical condition that involves an increase or change in the bacteria in the small intestines causing issues like weight loss, diarrhoea, and gas.
• Lastly, constipation is a medication condition that makes it problematic for passing gas.

Symptoms of gas trouble

Gas trouble symptoms entirely depend on the reason and vary essentially. The primary symptoms of gas trouble are burping, bloating, and farting.

It is recommended to speak to your doctor when you experience the following symptoms often:

• If you notice constant abdominal pain or tenderness, then don’t delay your visit to the doctor.
• You are getting a fever and have the symptoms of chronic or sudden diarrhoea onset.
• Usually, when people have gastric issues they go through the signs like nausea, vomiting, fatty stool, and rectal bleeding.
• Sudden weight loss is also among the symptoms one can experience if they have gas trouble often.

Diagnosis of gas trouble

Firstly, understand that if you have a gas problem, your doctor will recommend you to keep a food diary for a few days. It will assist you to understand what food items or drinks are making you gassy. The gas problem can be a symptom of a health issue that may require tests. So, here are the tests that your doctor may ask:

• If you have been experiencing gas trouble symptoms for quite a while, then your doctor might ask you to get the blood tests done. It would assist them in identifying conditions such as celiac disease causing gas.
• A breath test also is recommended at times as it helps with diagnosing the issue of lactose intolerance and any sort of abnormal bacterial development in the intestine.
• Colon screening is also the test for a gas problem. It allows your doctor to see the colon's lower part and lower intestine. With a colonoscopy, a doctor can have a picture of the large intestine. It assists them in identifying digestive disorders such as Crohn’s disease and colon cancer.
• Your doctor may also recommend you eliminate some foods to understand if a gas problem is improved or not.
• Lastly, there is a gastrointestinal tract exam that might be performed by your doctor. It is also known as the upper GI test or barium swallow.

How to cure gas trouble?

If you intend to comprehend the gas trouble cure, then here are some basic steps you can follow:

• Ensure drinking plenty of water. You can include lemon water, warm water, and baking soda.
• You can include buttermilk, mint juice, and cold milk.
• It is recommended to avoid tea as it can also cause a gas problem.
• If you want to reduce gas trouble, and bloating, then you can include chamomile, and ginger tea in your beverage habits for a few days.
• Ensure restricting yourself from oily and junk foods.
• Eat a balanced and healthy diet. You can include whole-grain foods, vegetables, fruits, etc. in your diet.
• Lastly, don’t get yourself involved in larger meals and focus on smaller meals throughout the day. It will help you with relieving abdominal pain and gas problems.

Clinical treatment for gas problems

It is essential to treat a health condition causing the excessive gas problem so that you can enjoy your overall health. Your doctor might recommend you some over-the-counter drugs for occasional gas troubles:

• Alpha-galactosidase: It is an enzyme that benefits in breaking down foods that are hard to digest.
• Bismuth subsalicylate: This drug is essentially for adults with troubled stomachs and diarrhoea.
• Lactase enzymes: It is a drug recommended for lactose intolerant individuals.
• Probiotics: It is one of the best medications to get rid of gas trouble as helps in eliminating the bad gut bacteria.
• Simethicone: It helps in reducing the gas trouble build up that bloats you.

Final words

While the gas problem is common these days with the symptoms like bloating, stomach discomfort, burping, and farting, it can be awkward and painful. It is essential to comprehend that frequent gas troubles also indicate some serious health issues. So, speak to your doctor about all the concerns. With the proper treatment and medications, you can ease the gas trouble symptoms and slay the day with confidence.

FAQs

Does gas cause heart pain?

Yes, the gathering of gas problems in the colon's left part of the stomach is similar to heart pain. The symptom of heavy pressure on the chest is a sign of a heart attack whereas in a gas problem you must not ignore it when you feel pain near your chest area.

Is Ginger good for gas?

Yes, ginger helps in speeding up the food movement through the GI tract and ensures to protect the gut. It also benefits from bloating, gas, and cramps. You can boil fresh ginger in water and drink it. You will feel a lot better if you experience gas problems often.

How do I know if my gas pain is serious?

Temporary discomfort and bloating are the gas trouble symptoms. When there is excessive gas followed by massive abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, and weight loss, then it is a sign of some health issues.

Does hot water help relieve gas?

Yes, hot water is useful in relieving the gas problem. It benefits by relaxing the gut muscles and assisting gas to move around the intestines. Hot water also will help you with reducing sensational pain.

Why is gas so painful?

When a gas problem occurs, it keeps moving through the digestive tract and causes stretching in the stomach and intestines. As a result, the pain becomes sharp and throbbing followed by bloating or cramping.

Does stress cause gas?

Stress is one of the primary reasons for various health issues including gas trouble. The human brain and gut are interconnected with each other. So, it is common for you to experience digestive issues such as bloating, diarrhoea, constipation, gas, cramping, and abdominal pain.

Do bananas give you gas?

Bananas are filled with potassium and benefit in counteracting bloating. These are among the best bloating fighters due to the presence of soluble fibre as well. It helps in flushing out the additional sodium and eliminates the issue of inflammation caused by gas trouble.

Are acidity and gas the same?

Acidity is a clinical condition that causes different gas trouble symptoms in the body. It not only causes gas but also heartburn, reflex, and much more. Acidity and gas are similar, reflecting the same symptoms or troubles.