Trapped gas can be acutely painful. It's usually not serious, but may be a sign of a food intolerance or an underlying digestive problem. Watching what you eat and taking some preventive measures can help. Getting rapid relief may take some experimenting with different remedies to see what works for you.
Temporary discomfort and bloating could signal a normal buildup of gas, but excessive gas that's accompanied by abdominal pain, bloating or fullness, nausea or weight loss could be a warning sign of a more serious health issue – especially if you haven't made any significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.
It may be uncomfortable and embarrassing, but it is not life-threatening. Gas is eliminated by burping or passing it through the rectum. Most people produce about 1 to 4 pints of gas a day and pass gas about 14 times a day.
When to see a doctor. Talk to your doctor if your gas or gas pains are so persistent or severe that they interfere with your ability to function well in daily life. Gas or gas pains accompanied by other signs or symptoms may indicate more-serious conditions.
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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.
Call your doctor if you have abdominal pain that lasts 1 week or longer, if your pain doesn't improve in 24 to 48 hours, if bloating lasts more than 2 days, or if you have diarrhea for more than 5 days.
Excess upper intestinal gas can result from swallowing more than a usual amount of air, overeating, smoking or chewing gum. Excess lower intestinal gas can be caused by eating too much of certain foods, by the inability to fully digest certain foods or by a disruption in the bacteria normally found in the colon.
Sometimes gas pain is severe enough to make you wonder whether you should get emergency help, but it seldom requires immediate attention. However, if you have other accompanying symptoms, they're a clue that your gas may represent a more serious problem.
What position should I lie in to relieve gas? Your side. Lying on your side with your knees bent can help to relieve trapped gas. If you don't feel relief after a few minutes, pull your knees closer to your chest or try alternating between straight legs and bent knees.
Anxiety can directly and indirectly lead to problems with gas. Anxiety affects the gut, which may cause digestive issues. One symptom of anxiety can also lead to burping and flatulence.
Stress, anxiety and bloating. This seems to be a combination that often comes hand in hand. Very commonly, when someone is experiencing digestive symptoms of bloating, but also other symptoms of IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) such as cramping or constipation, these more emotional symptoms are present.
Having a high amount of these common intestinal symptoms is associated with higher levels of depression, anxiety and stress, as well as impaired general quality of life."
Excessive flatulence can be caused by swallowing more air than usual or eating food that's difficult to digest. It can also be related to an underlying health problem affecting the digestive system, such as recurring indigestion or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
WASHINGTON: An Indian-American researcher has found that hydrogen sulfide, a short-lived gas produced in the body, can impact the brain's ability to use food and glucose and result in memory loss.
It might be as simple as eating too much too fast, or you could have a food intolerance or other condition that causes gas and digestive contents to build up. Your menstrual cycle is another common cause of temporary bloating. Sometimes a bloated stomach can indicate a more serious medical condition.
General adaptation syndrome (GAS) describes the process your body goes through when you are exposed to any kind of stress, positive or negative. It has three stages: alarm, resistance, and exhaustion. If you do not resolve the stress that has triggered GAS, it can lead to physical and mental health problems.
It turns out that stomach problems can cause a lot more than just physical discomfort. Research has suggested that gastrointestinal troubles may be linked with anxiety and depression as well. It is probably no surprise that stomach issues can cause stress, but they can also lead to significant mental health problems.
Left Side Sleeping
Gravity can help waste move with greater ease through the digestive tract from the small intestine to the large intestine. This can help to ease discomfort from gas and bloating and other digestive discomforts.
Rub in a circular motion lightly up to the right side till you reach your rib bones. Move straight across to the left side. Work your way down to the left to the hip bone and back up to the belly button for 2-3 minutes. Rub with your fingertips in a circular motion.
While lying down can make you super in-tune with your gas, it can also make it harder to expel that air. Lying down puts pressure on the anal opening in a way that can make it a little tougher to naturally pass gas, Dr. Lee explains.
Hazel Marie Galon Veloso, M.D. If you've ever experienced waves of sharp pain in your belly along with the feeling that your waistline is inflating like a balloon, you might be experiencing bloating and cramps due to intestinal gas.
Common symptoms of trapped wind include a bloated stomach or abdomen, flatulence or burping, stomach cramps, a rumbling or gurgling sound, nausea, and pain when you bend or exercise.