Home Remedies to Relieve Gas and Reduce Bloating

Although everyone experiences gas, some people are troubled by it more than others. At times, excessive gas can become uncomfortable or even painful. But simple changes to your diet can provide gas relief and also aid digestion. In addition to over-the-counter gas relief products, items commonly found in the kitchen may double as gas relievers.

Herbs for Gas Relief

A number of herbs with so-called carminative properties may help ease gas and prevent bloating, according to Angela Lemond, RDN, a dietitian and nutritionist based in Texas and a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. She explains that a carminative is a substance that aids in the expulsion of gas.

Ginger is often considered a carminative for its gastrointestinal effects. A systemic review published in January 2020 in the journal Nutrients found that out of studies that analyzed ginger’s effect on different gastric functions, 85 percent reported ginger as a digestive enhancer. As it relates to gas relief, faster digestion allows gases to move more quickly out of your small intestine to relieve discomfort and bloating.

Additionally, a systemic review published in January 2019 in Food Science & Nutrition found that ginger was an important dietary agent in helping prevent dyspepsia (upper abdominal pain), flatulence, and bloating.

FDgard, a nonprescription formulation designed to help manage dyspepsia, uses other herbs to achieve similar results. The primary active ingredients are caraway and peppermint oils. Some doctors recommend this for gas and bloating, and a study published in March 2022 in BMC Gastroenterology found that this combination also helps with dyspepsia.

Other herbs and spices that may provide gas relief include:

• Chamomile
• Dill
• Fennel
• Basil
• Caraway
• Cumin
• Parsley
• Peppermint
• Spearmint

Lemond notes that you should always get approval from your doctor before taking an herbal supplement. She suggests trying to gain the benefit of carminatives from the food you eat rather than by taking supplements, which she says should be taken with caution. “Some people think of herbal supplements as natural or straight from the earth, so they may be taken at will, but a lot of them have pharmaceutical effects and could interact with medication,” she says.

Gas, Stress, and Probiotics

Gas can be worsened by stress. “There are nerves up and down the GI tract,” Lemond says. “People who have a tendency to be nervous can develop gas, diarrhea, or constipation.” When dietary changes aren’t effective, other treatments such as relaxation therapy may help.

Stress can contribute to causing spasms in the colon and abdominal discomfort, according to a review published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Reviewers noted that progressive muscle relaxation, meditation, yoga, counseling, or changes to daily stressful situations can help reduce stress and have a positive effect on digestive health.

More studies are beginning to explore the role of stress and psychological factors and their impact on irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). In a study published in July 2020 in Clinical and Translational Gastroenterology, researchers found that an increase in stress was associated with people with IBS when compared with the study’s control group.

For a time, researchers were exploring the direct connections between the gut, brain, and probiotics, as probiotics were thought to be a way to aid digestion and reduce excessive gas.

But the evidence on probiotics remains thin. In fact, in June 2020 the American Gastroenterological Association released guidelines outlining that for most digestive conditions, there is not enough evidence to support the use of probiotics.

Over-the-Counter Gas Treatments That May Help

If gas doesn’t move quickly enough through the digestive system, it can cause bloating and discomfort. A few changes to your daily routine and habits can bring relief from gas and bloating. Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston suggests these behaviors to help decrease bloating:

• Eat slowly and chew your food thoroughly.
• Eat smaller meals, more frequently.
• Sit up straight after a meal.
• Walk after a meal.
• Drink room temperature beverages.

Products at your local pharmacy to reduce gas and bloating generally contain simethicone, activated charcoal, or a food enzyme known as alpha-galactosidase (the active ingredient in Beano) to help break down hard-to-digest foods like beans and certain vegetables. Although some people find these drugs to be effective, others don’t.

Alpha-galactosidase contains the enzyme that the body lacks to digest certain carbohydrates in beans and certain vegetables, but the enzyme has no effect on gas caused by fiber or lactose. Lactase tablets or drops may provide gas relief for those with lactose intolerance. The tablets are taken right before consuming milk or milk products.

“Occasional excessive gas is normal,” Lemond says. But when gas continues to be a problem despite dietary adjustments and home or over-the-counter gas treatments, it’s a good idea to see your doctor.

Additional reporting by Zachary Smith.

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How to get rid of gas pain fast: 20 natural home remedies

Luckily, many home remedies can help to release trapped gas or prevent it from building up. Twenty effective methods are listed below.

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

Share on PinterestCarbonated drinks such as sparkling waters and soda send a lot of gas to the stomach, which can cause bloating and pain.

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. Some 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.

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. Use activated charcoal

Activated charcoal is a natural product that can be bought in health food stores or pharmacies without a prescription. Supplement tablets taken before and after meals can prevent trapped gas.

It is best to build up the intake of activated charcoal gradually. This will prevent unwanted symptoms, such as constipation and nausea.

One alarming side effect of activated charcoal is that it can turn the stool black. This discoloration is harmless and should go away if a person stops taking charcoal supplements.

17. Take probiotics

Share on PinterestGentle exercises can relax the muscles in the gut, and yoga poses can be especially beneficial after meals.

Probiotic supplements add beneficial bacteria to the gut. They are used to treat several digestive complaints, including infectious diarrhea.

Some research suggests that certain strains of probiotics can alleviate bloating, intestinal gas, abdominal pain, and other symptoms of IBS.

Strains of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus are generally considered to be most effective.

18. 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.

19. Breathe deeply

Deep breathing may not work for everyone. Taking in too much air can increase the amount of gas in the intestines.

However, some people find that deep breathing techniques can relieve the pain and discomfort associated with trapped gas.

20. Take an over-the-counter remedy

Several products can get rid of gas pain fast. One popular medication, simethicone, is marketed under the following brand names:

• Gas-X
• Mylanta Gas
• Phazyme

Anyone who is pregnant or taking other medications should discuss the use of simethicone with a doctor or pharmacist.

Trapped gas can be painful and distressing, but many easy remedies can alleviate symptoms quickly.

People with ongoing or severe gas pain should see a doctor right away, especially if the pain is accompanied by:

• constipation
• diarrhea
• fever
• rectal bleeding
• unexplained weight loss

While everyone experiences trapped gas once in a while, experiencing regular pain, bloating, and other gastrointestinal symptoms can indicate the presence of a medical condition or food sensitivity.

Read the article in Spanish.

Doctors discussed folk remedies for bloating

November 24, 2021
13:07

Flatulence is an unpleasant phenomenon that everyone must have encountered. In the program “About the Most Important” on the channel “Russia 1”, the spectators told how they are struggling with this condition. Sergey Agapkin and Mikhail Ginzburg commented on their favorite folk remedies for flatulence.

Bloating, flatulence, discomfort – all this pretty much poisons our lives. Many people use folk remedies to combat excessive accumulation of gases in the intestines. However, are they really that effective? Can they relieve your discomfort? Due to what properties? Dr. Sergei Agapkin and actor Mikhail Politseymako, together with nutritionist Mikhail Ginzburg, discussed the most popular folk remedies in the program “About the Most Important” on the Russia 1 channel.

Peppermint tea

According to Ginsburg, mint contains essential oils that can inhibit the growth of microflora and reduce gas formation. Sergey Agapkin added that menthol is a strong antispasmodic. It relieves the painful and unpleasant sensations associated with flatulence. So mint tea is a very effective folk remedy.

Chamomile tea

Mikhail Moiseevich noticed that chamomile has a mild antibacterial effect. In addition, this plant stimulates the secretion of digestive enzymes. Why is it good? One of the reasons for the development of flatulence is that insufficiently well-digested food fragments sometimes enter the large intestine. There, bacteria break them down, and a lot of gases are formed. By stimulating the stomach, small intestine, and pancreas, food will be digested more efficiently, which will also reduce the likelihood of flatulence.

Garlic

Garlic stimulates digestion and also has an antibacterial effect. Sergei Agapkin said that garlic should be divided into several parts and swallowed like a pill without chewing. In such an unusual way, you can extend its positive effect. “If you took and simply swallowed this piece, then it passed almost undigested through the small intestine, got into the thick one – and there the essential oils will have an antibacterial effect,” the doctor said. “A tablet of garlic for flatulence? An amazing fact,” Mikhail Politseymako admitted.

Fennel

A fan of the “About the Most Important” program Lilia reported that she is being treated with fennel decoction. Mikhail Moiseevich Ginzburg noted that fennel also has an antibacterial effect and helps reduce gas formation.

Even more interesting news – in our Instagram (banned in Russia) and Telegram channel @smotrim_ru.

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Bloating – how to get rid, causes, medicines

Marchenko Denis Vadimovich Pediatrician

March 18, 2020

148288

Bloating or flatulence is a widespread condition. It occurs with an increased accumulation of gases in the gastrointestinal tract and causes an unpleasant feeling of fullness. What are the causes of bloating?

What causes increased flatulence

A healthy person normally has about 200 ml of gas in the intestines.

Their sources are:

• air that enters the stomach with food;
• gases produced in the intestines by bacteria;
• gases that come from the blood.

Moderate gas formation – is normal.

Most of them are excreted during bowel movements or can be passed separately. But with a violation of intestinal motility, fermentation occurs, as a result of which gases are formed in excess.

Bloating and flatulence in adults can be caused by:

• unbalanced diet;
• diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
• circulatory disorders;
• psycho-emotional overload.

Bloating in a child may occur due to imperfection of the enzyme system or its functional disorders. Bloating in women is often provoked by gynecological diseases, hormonal changes during menopause or pregnancy.

A symptom as small as increased gas production can indicate a serious problem in the body.

Manifestations of flatulence

Symptoms of bloating are manifested by:

• a feeling of fullness;
• cramping pain;
• nausea;
• belching;
• decreased appetite;
• diarrhea or constipation.

Sometimes there are extraintestinal symptoms: heart rhythm disturbances, decreased mood, sleep disturbances.

How to treat

Treatment of bloating is necessary if increased gas production has become a habitual condition. First you need to undergo an examination to determine the cause. And then the doctor will prescribe the necessary drugs for the treatment of the underlying pathology and the elimination of flatulence.

The following medicines for bloating can be used:

• antispasmodics – to normalize intestinal tone, relieve pain and reduce bloating;
• sorbents – stop fermentation by absorbing irritants;
• probiotics – needed to improve the digestive process and prevent fermentation.

Power correction also required. A diet for bloating excludes foods that increase gas formation and drinks that cause a fermentation reaction (beer, soda, kvass).

But, if the examination did not reveal any serious diseases and no treatment is required, use folk methods to remove bloating.

Treatment depends on the underlying cause.

Traditional medicine

How to quickly get rid of bloating in adults? Can be used:

1. Ginger Tea – Ginger increases salivation and bile production, which has a positive effect on digestion. The substances contained in the plant have an antispasmodic effect and reduce gas formation.
2. Fennel seeds – essential oils and a number of other components in their composition stimulate the formation of bile and promote the movement of food through the digestive tract. To get rid of discomfort, you can cook a decoction or chew the seeds after eating.
3. Apple cider vinegar – contains probiotics. Their purpose: to improve digestion, reduce bloating and prevent the accumulation of gases in the future. To relieve symptoms, you should drink a drink consisting of a glass of water and 2 tablespoons of vinegar.
4. Chamomile tea – substances contained in the plant have antimicrobial properties and successfully fight inflammation. They use medicinal tea to normalize the work of the gastrointestinal tract, get rid of discomfort when overeating and colic.

If the cause of gas formation is not eliminated, then any treatment will be only symptomatic and may hide the disease.

How to quickly get rid of bloating with pills? One of the most harmless remedies that can be used without a doctor’s prescription is activated charcoal. Due to its good porosity, coal quickly absorbs toxins and relieves flatulence. It can be used for both treatment and prophylaxis.

Prevention

Following these recommendations will help prevent flatulence and significantly reduce the number of its recurrences.