Feeling gassy — is it ever a cause for concern?

Everyone does it, but no one talks about it. No, not that topic — the fact that we pass gas every day. In fact, the average person produces between 1/2 and 1 liter of gas daily and passes gas about 10 to 20 times. Annoying? Well, sometimes. Embarrassing? Possibly. But is excess gas ever a cause for concern?

A healthy digestive system

Intestinal gas is a normal part of digestion. “While people may not like it when they do it, especially at inappropriate times, it’s just a sign of a regular, healthy digestive system at work,” says Dr. Kyle Staller, a gastroenterologist with Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital.

Gas is produced when bacteria in the digestive system break down food. Intestinal gas contains mostly hydrogen and methane, with small amounts of other gases like hydrogen sulfide, which give gas a bad odor. Yet most components of intestinal gas are odor-free.

But can you ever be too gassy — and is frequent gas ever a problem?

Which foods you eat — and how you digest them — can increase gas production. For instance, as people age, they often have trouble digesting foods that contain short-chain carbohydrates called FODMAPs, a term that stands for fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols.

“These foods are either not digested or incompletely digested, which causes increased fermentation by gut bacteria and ultimately creates more gas,” says Dr. Staller.

Foods with gas-producing FODMAPs

Common foods with gas-producing FODMAPs include broccoli, beans and lentils, wheat, garlic, onions, apples, and some fruit juices. But FODMAPs are also present in some surprising foods, like avocadoes and cherries.

People sometimes turn to sugar-free foods as a means to manage their weight, and many of those contain sorbitol or other sugar alcohols, FODMAPs that are also readily fermented in the gut. Lactose — the sugar in milk and dairy products — is a FODMAP as well, and gas is a common consequence of lactose intolerance.

“This range of foods is why someone distressed by excess gas might consider speaking with a nutritionist to help identify possible problem ones, and then design a strategy to either decrease the portion sizes or to completely eliminate them and replace them with other foods,” says Dr. Staller.

In many cases, a person may tolerate smaller amounts of a gas-producing food, but a heavy dose creates excessive gas. For instance, you may have trouble digesting a glass of milk or a bowl of ice cream, but be fine with cream in your coffee.

If you need extra help controlling excess gas, you can try an over-the-counter product like Beano or Gas-X before eating. These help reduce excess gas, pressure, and bloating. “There’s no harm in using them, but be mindful that they don’t work for everyone, and you should stop taking them if you don’t feel noticeably better after six weeks,” says Dr. Staller.

Does gas increase as we age?

While it may seem like you produce more gas with age, that is not true, says Dr. Staller. “Older people often just have an increased awareness of their gas, so it feels like they produce more.” He adds that it’s common for sphincter muscles to weaken with age, so people lose some ability to hold gas in, making it more noticeable, especially in social situations.

Is excess gas ever cause for concern?

While gas is normal, there are times when it could be a red flag for a serious health issue. If gas occurs more frequently than usual, or if it’s accompanied by other symptoms, like abdominal pain, weight loss, fever, or bloody stools, you should speak with your doctor.

“These symptoms could be signs of a digestive disorder, such as celiac disease, ulcerative colitis, or Crohn’s disease,” says Dr. Staller.

Otherwise, realize that gas is a small reminder that your digestion is working as it should.

Gas in stomach: Symptoms, causes, and treatments

Reasons for gas in the stomach range from swallowing air to colon cancer. Burping often helps reduce gas, bloating, and discomfort. However, people with persistent or worsening gas may need medical attention for an underlying condition.

Mild or infrequent episodes of stomach gas are not usually a cause for concern. However, frequent or persistent stomach gas can sometimes indicate an underlying gastrointestinal condition that requires treatment.

This article outlines the symptoms of stomach gas and its various causes. It also outlines the different treatment options for stomach gas and provides information about when to see a doctor.

Share on PinterestStomach gas can cause issues ranging from burping and flatulence to heartburn and indigestion.

According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), the most common symptoms of gas in the stomach include:

• burping
• flatulence
• bloating
• abdominal pain or discomfort

In some cases, other symptoms may accompany gas in the stomach, such as:

• indigestion
• heartburn
• diarrhea
• constipation

There are various reasons why a person might experience gas.

Gas in the stomach and upper abdomen

Reasons for gas in the stomach and upper abdomen include:

Swallowing air

People usually swallow a little bit of air while eating, and this can make the stomach or upper abdomen feel full. Burping generally helps to release the gas and reduce bloating and discomfort.

The NIDDK note that a person swallows more air during the following:

• eating or drinking too fast
• chewing gum
• sucking on hard candy
• drinking carbonated drinks, such as soda, sparkling water, and beer
• smoking
• wearing ill-fitting dentures that reduce chewing efficiency

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

GERD is a condition in which stomach acid and other stomach contents frequently leak out of the stomach and up into the esophagus. The esophagus is the tube that connects the mouth and stomach.

The most common symptoms of GERD are acid reflux and heartburn. As a 2015 case study notes, stomach gas and belching are other common symptoms of GERD.

People who experience GERD-related stomach gas may notice that their burps have a foul taste or cause them to regurgitate food.

Gas in the lower abdomen

Below are some potential causes of gas in the lower abdomen.

Fermentation

A person experiencing symptoms of gas in the lower part of their belly or abdomen may be experiencing gas from fermentation.

Stomach acid helps to break down food and pass it on to the intestines. The intestines break down the food even further in a process that sometimes releases gases.

These gases either make their way to the stomach and leave the body as a burp or travel through the intestines and leave the body as flatulence.

Some foods may produce gas more than others. The NIDDK list some common foods that may cause gas, including:

• greens, such as kale, cabbage, and Brussel sprouts
• vegetables, such as onions, cauliflower, and broccoli
• beans, including black, pinto, and kidney beans
• dairy products, such as cheese, yogurt, and ice cream
• high fiber foods, such as whole grains and fruits
• sugar substitutes and sweeteners, such as sorbitol, mannitol, and xylitol

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is an umbrella term for a group of digestive symptoms that can cause pain, discomfort, and changes in bowel movements.

A person with IBS may experience an excessive amount of intestinal gas. This excess gas may lead to abdominal pain, bloating, and flatulence. Other possible symptoms of IBS include:

• constipation
• diarrhea
• bowel incontinence
• nausea
• back pain

The exact cause of IBS remains unknown. However, experts believe that it may be due to food passing through the intestines too quickly or too slowly.

Bacterial overgrowth

Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) is the medical term for excess bacteria in the small intestine. Experts believe that the condition is due to a lack of movement in the small intestine.

Excessive intestinal bacteria can cause a build-up of gas, which may lead to bloating and flatulence.

Other possible symptoms of SIBO inlcude:

• abdominal pain
• diarrhea or constipation
• nausea
• fatigue

In extreme cases, the small intestine may be unable to absorb sufficient nutrients from food. This may lead to complications, such as weight loss and anemia.

A 2020 study notes that SIBO is a common but underdiagnosed condition, as the symptoms appear similar to other digestive disorders.

Food intolerances

Frequent bloating and intestinal gas can sometimes indicate a food intolerance. This is where the body is unable to digest certain foods properly.

Common food intolerances include:

• Lactose intolerance: Inability to digest the sugar “lactose,” found in milk and dairy products.
• Fructose intolerance: Inability to digest the fruit sugar “fructose.”
• Gluten intolerance: Inability to digest gluten proteins that exist in cereal grains.

Celiac disease is similar to gluten intolerance but more severe. Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition in which consuming gluten causes the immune system to attack healthy cells in the small intestine.

Some general symptoms of food intolerances include:

• bloating
• flatulence
• abdominal pain
• diarrhea
• skin rashes and itching

Other potential causes

Some less common causes of stomach gas include:

• chronic constipation
• peptic ulcers
• hernias
• intestinal blockages
• colon cancer

Some causes of stomach gas may improve with home remedies alone. Others may require over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription medications.

Home remedies

A person who experiences mild or infrequent episodes of stomach gas may want to try home remedies before seeking a medical diagnosis and treatment. Below are some general tips for alleviating stomach gas at home.

Lifestyle changes

Some lifestyle changes that may help to alleviate stomach gas include:

• chewing food thoroughly
• avoiding chewing gum and hard candy
• avoiding carbonated beverages
• avoiding smoking
• ensuring that dentures or other dental devices fit correctly

People may also benefit from keeping a food journal to record what and when they eat and when they experience symptoms. This will help to identify any trigger foods. After identifying the foods, a person can alter their diet to avoid those foods in the future.

Herbal remedies

Anecdotally, some people report relief from stomach gas using various herbs, such as:

• peppermint
• chamomile
• fennel
• clove

Medications

In some cases, people may require OTC or prescription medications to help alleviate stomach gas and associated symptoms.

OTC medications

People with certain food intolerances can take digestive enzymes before a meal to help their body digest problematic foods. Common examples include taking lactase to help digest milk products or taking alpha-galactosidase (Beano) to help break down carbohydrates, fiber, and protein from beans and vegetables.

For someone already experiencing gas, OTC products containing simethicone can help combine gas bubbles, making the gas easier to pass. Examples of such products include:

• Gas-X
• Imodium
• Mylanta

Prescription medications

Doctors may recommend prescription medications for people who cannot find relief from home remedies and OTC options.

The type of medication a doctor prescribes will depend on the underlying condition causing the gas. Some medications a doctor may prescribe include:

• medications to manage GERD, such as:
  • antacids to alleviate heartburn
  • h3 blockers to decrease the production of stomach acid
  • proton pump inhibitors to reduce the production of stomach acid and help heal the esophagus
  • prokinetics to help the stomach empty faster
• medications to manage IBS, such as:
  • antispasmodics to alleviate abdominal pain and cramping
  • laxatives to help relieve constipation
  • antimotility medications to help alleviate diarrhea
• antibiotics to help treat SIBO

In many cases, gas in the stomach is not a cause for concern, and symptoms will pass with little or no treatment.

However, anyone experiencing frequent or persistent stomach gas should see their doctor for a full diagnosis.

Stomach gas that occurs alongside other symptoms, such as weight loss or changes in bowel movements, also warrants medical attention. These symptoms could indicate an underlying medical condition that requires treatment and management to prevent any long-term complications.

Mild or occasional stomach gas is usually not a cause for concern. In such cases, people can usually find relief using simple home remedies and OTC medications.

However, a person should see their doctor if they experience frequent or persistent stomach gas. This could be a sign of an underlying medical condition that requires treatment or careful management.

Treatment should help alleviate symptoms while preventing the risk of further health complications.

Increased gas formation in the intestines and stomach – causes, treatment

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Suffering from increased gas production? What to do.

November 12, 2019

Increased flatulence or flatulence is a common and rather unpleasant pathology.

Increased gas formation or flatulence is a common and rather unpleasant pathology. Flatulence can be an independent disorder or a symptom of another disease. The causes of increased gas formation are often diet errors and diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. If you are tormented by increased gas formation, you should find out its nature together with the doctor and carry out a timely correction.

Increased gas formation in the intestines

Increased gas formation in the intestines is one of several causes of flatulence in adults. The content of gases in the gastrointestinal tract can increase due to three factors:

• Aerophagia or swallowing of air. Excess gas comes from the mouth when chewing or drinking liquids through a straw.
• Increased gas formation in the stomach. Occurs due to the contact of gastric acid and food alkalis.
• Actually increased gas formation in the intestines. It is a consequence of the processes of fermentation and dysbacteriosis.

In most patients with increased gas formation, the cause of the problem is nutritional factors – eating certain foods.

Causes of increased gas formation in the intestines

With increased gas formation in the intestines, the cause is often the excessive intake of such foods:

• legumes (peas, beans, etc.),
• apples,
• cabbage,
• bread (especially black),
• beer,
• carbonated (especially sweet) drinks, etc.

Alimentary or food flatulence is its most harmless form. This condition is easily eliminated by the exclusion from the diet of the above products or by reducing their number.

Less often, in patients with increased gas formation in the intestine, gastrointestinal diseases are the cause. Gastritis, esophagitis, colitis, enzymatic deficiency, adhesive disease, tumors of the abdominal cavity – this is not a complete list of pathologies that may be accompanied by metorism. Sometimes in patients with persistent flatulence, a parasitic invasion is found – various types of worms that change the normal processes of digestion.

Increased gas formation in the stomach

Increased gas formation in the stomach is manifested by belching and a feeling of heaviness in the abdomen. Pathology can occur for two reasons. Aerophagia, leading to the accumulation of air in the stomach, is a consequence of hasty eating, smoking, drinking drinks through a straw.

Often the condition is observed in patients with defects in the dentition, diseases of the nasopharynx. Increased gas formation in the stomach is sometimes the result of a chemical reaction between the hydrochloric acid of gastric juice and the alkalis of food. In this case, carbon dioxide is released, which inflates the walls of the stomach.

What causes increased gas formation in the stomach

As already mentioned, the use of gas-producing foods is why increased gas formation in the stomach occurs most often. Correction of the diet in such cases quickly eliminates the symptoms. However, it happens that even the complete exclusion of unwanted products does not solve the problem.

Such a development of events may indicate the presence of anatomical or functional changes in the gastrointestinal tract. The causes of increased gas formation in the stomach can also be diseases such as:

• peptic ulcer,
• gastritis,
• reflux esophagitis,
• duodenitis,
• secretory insufficiency,
• abdominal adhesions,
• Tumors of the stomach and duodenum.

Any of the above diseases may be complicated or manifested by flatulence. However, in addition to bloating, other symptoms are usually noted: pain, changes in body weight, and a shift in laboratory parameters.

How to treat gas

Any violation of the activity of the intestines or stomach should be analyzed by a doctor gastroenterologist. With alimentary increased gas formation, treatment consists in taking drugs that precipitate gases and correcting the diet.

Among the drugs, the most effective are three groups: sorbents, defoamers and herbal remedies. All of them have a certain effect in symptomatic increased gas formation in the intestine. In this case, treatment often begins with defoamers, which are considered the most effective.

The disadvantages of sorbents are their low selectivity and the possibility of only a short-term intake. Such drugs absorb both harmful and beneficial substances, and with prolonged use they lead to vitamin deficiency and a lack of minerals. Herbal carminatives (often these are preparations based on dill) do not always have a sufficient effect.

With painful increased gas formation, treatment should be carried out after a detailed clarification of the nature of the process. Our center has all the possibilities for a full examination and treatment of patients with any disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. Friendly staff, the best equipment and doctors contribute to a quick and lasting recovery.

Flatulence

Hemorrhoids

Esophageal hernia

Gastroesophageal reflux

Irritable bowel syndrome

Diverticulitis

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February 26

Flatulence – the causes of occurrence, in which diseases it occurs, diagnosis and methods of treatment.

Excessive gas formation in the gastrointestinal tract leads to severe discomfort, especially if it is impossible to hold gases. Gaseous substances that fill the lumen of the stomach and intestines include hydrogen, methane, hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide. Together with food, air can enter the stomach, but mostly gases are a waste product of microorganisms, and also arise as a result of the interaction of hydrochloric acid of the stomach with bicarbonate coming from the pancreas. Increased gas formation is accompanied by bloating, a feeling of fullness and pain. This phenomenon is called flatulence.

In some cases, spastic conditions of the gastrointestinal tract interfere with the passage of gases, and sometimes a person cannot control this process even with a slight content of gases in the intestines.

Varieties of flatulence

Flatulence occurs with increased processes of gas formation and deterioration of intestinal motility.

Excess gas is removed from the stomach by eructations , from the intestines – through the rectum . In addition, gases can enter the bloodstream and be released with exhaled air. Gases formed in the intestines are absorbed only in the small intestine, where their bubbles are mixed with liquid contents. In the large intestine, gases are not absorbed into the blood due to the high density of feces, so the only way out for them is through the rectum, which occurs on average 15-20 times a day. Participating in the regulation of the intestines, gases have a different effect on its function: methane slows down the passage of feces and contributes to the development of constipation, hydrogen reduces the motility of the ileum, but promotes the promotion of contents in the final sections of the colon.

Possible causes of increased gas production and incontinence

The reasons for the development of flatulence may be associated with: 1) dietary habits; 2) indigestion; 3) imbalance in the composition of the intestinal microflora; 4) impaired intestinal motility. Overflowing with gases of the stomach leads to eructation, which often bothers patients with incomplete closure of the cardiac sphincter in hiatal hernia, gastroesophageal reflux disease .

In addition, impaired motility of the gastrointestinal with gastric ulcer, biliary dyskinesia, some diseases of the intestine is also accompanied by rapid belching, sometimes even with regurgitation. With the development of putrefactive processes in the stomach with gastroparesis belching may have an unpleasant odor.

However, often belching is not a symptom of the disease, but an indicator of malnutrition.

For example, when eating food hastily, a person can swallow a large amount of air. Also, excess gas in the stomach occurs after drinking carbonated drinks.

If gases fill the intestines, there is a feeling of bloating.

It can occur due to an excessive content of gaseous substances, and be subjective due to the increased sensitivity of the intestinal mucosa.

Often this symptom occurs in functional disorders: irritable bowel syndrome, diseases of the pancreas accompanied by enzymatic deficiency, reproduction of pathological microflora. An increased formation of gases occurs when a large amount of legumes, cabbage, onions, carrots, raisins, bananas, apples, grapes, yeast dough products are consumed. Evidence of functional disorders is the appearance of swelling some time after eating. In the morning, before breakfast, this sensation is absent.

An unpleasant symptom is gas incontinence, which is possible even with their slight accumulation in the intestine. Such a problem may occur in patients with cracks and fistulas in the anus.

Gas incontinence also worries patients with anal sphincter insufficiency. As a rule, this condition accompanies other types of pathology – hemorrhoids, prolapse of the rectum. Sometimes insufficiency of the internal anal sphincter can be the result of neurological disorders, surgical interventions or injuries, accompanied by the formation of scars and strictures.

The sphincter muscles weaken with age, which is why the problem of gas incontinence is more common in older people.

With intestinal diverticula – sac-like protrusions of the mucous membrane and submucosa of the intestine – bloating and profuse discharge of gases are almost always noted.

In addition, there are feelings of fullness and heaviness in the abdomen, pain in the left iliac region and irregular, spastic stools (“sheep”). Often there is rumbling in the abdomen and rapid discharge of gases with an unpleasant odor.

In women, uncontrolled gas discharge develops in the last months of pregnancy, after childbirth due to pelvic floor dysfunction. The same problem occurs in a third of patients with prolapse and prolapse of the uterus and in a small percentage of cases with pathological lengthening of the cervix.

Gas incontinence occurs with lesions of the central nervous system due to injuries of the spine and head, and in this case it is accompanied by uncontrolled fecal and urination. With an epileptic seizure in the relaxation phase, urine, gases and feces can also occur. Gas control is lost at mental disorders (manic-depressive syndrome, dementia) and psycho-emotional stress.

Which doctors should I contact?

The problem of increased gas formation and uncontrolled discharge of gases can occur under different conditions of the body. In any case, you should visit
primary care physician. If the symptoms of flatulence bother a woman during pregnancy, after childbirth, or flatulence is accompanied by other symptoms, you should consult a
gynecologist. If bowel diverticula, anal sphincter insufficiency, or gastrointestinal dyskinesia are suspected, referral should be made to
gastroenterologist.

Diagnostics and examinations

If uncontrolled gas discharge occurs during pregnancy, after childbirth, as a rule, additional examination is not required. If you complain of a constant discharge of gases without symptoms of bloating, it is necessary to check the condition of the anal sphincter and intestines. For this, sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy are performed.

If gas incontinence is accompanied by bloating, pain, a feeling of fullness, an examination of the entire gastrointestinal tract is required to exclude the pathology of the biliary tract, pancreas and intestines. To rule out diverticula, your doctor may order a barium X-ray contrast study, a colonoscopy, a helical CT scan, and a comprehensive abdominal ultrasound examination.

Biliary dyskinesia can be detected using an ultrasound of the gallbladder, and an ultrasound of the pancreas.

If the doctor suspects a violation of intestinal motility as the cause of flatulence, he may prescribe an electrogastroenterography and manometry.

Be sure to conduct laboratory tests to assess enzymatic deficiency and intestinal microflora.

In these cases, informative general;

complex biochemical blood test with determination of total protein and albumin,

bilirubin and its fractions,

as well as a coprogram.

Treatment

Bloating and increased gas can be both a sign of a disease and a consequence of an improper diet and lifestyle. You can cope with these symptoms only by establishing their cause.

In any case, it is necessary to normalize the diet and exclude gas-forming products from the diet.

Functional disorders involve correction of the motility of the gastrointestinal tract, microflora and elimination of enzymatic deficiency. It is also necessary to eliminate the causes of psycho-emotional stress. To reduce the pressure of gases in the intestine, adsorbents (activated carbon, etc.), carminatives, enzymatic preparations are used.

If the cause of uncontrolled gas passage is an insufficiency of the anal sphincter due to hemorrhoids, fissure or fistula, surgical treatment is necessary. At intestinal diverticula non-pharmacological treatment is possible, which includes changes in lifestyle and diet. Patients are not recommended cleansing enemas and the use of laxatives. Nutrition should include fiber-rich foods. Antispasmodics, phosphodiesterase inhibitors, non-selective calcium channel antagonists, and water-soluble fiber preparations are used as drug therapy.

What should be done with flatulence?

With increased gas formation and bloating, it is desirable to identify those foods that cause flatulence, and refuse them or reduce their number.

After the digestion processes are normalized, these products should be introduced into the diet gradually, helping the intestines with enzyme preparations. The improvement of peristalsis is facilitated by the consumption of a sufficient amount of liquid – up to 2-2.5 liters per day.

It is advisable not to eat foods containing a large amount of fat, and sweet dishes. Fermentation in the intestines is also facilitated by fruits and foods containing yeast. Before cooking legumes (which contribute to the occurrence of flatulence), you should first soak them in water.

It is very important to eat properly to prevent swallowing air while eating.

Eating should be done slowly, avoiding lying down. An active lifestyle and moderate physical activity contribute to the reduction of flatulence.

Sources:

1. Clinical guidelines “Irritable bowel syndrome”. Developed by: Russian Gastroenterological Association, Association of Coloproctologists of Russia. – 2021.
2. Clinical guidelines “Diverticular disease”. Developed by: Russian Gastroenterological Association, Association of Coloproctologists of Russia.