Contents
What is Gas?
Excessive gas Leads to gas problem and is described in many ways like burping, belching, flatulence, and bloating. For example, burping and belching usually refer to gas that escapes from the mouth, while flatulence, or farting, is intestinal gas that escapes from the rectum. Bloating is used to describe the sensation of excess stomach gas that has not yet been released. Some gas forms after eating and releasing it through belching or flatulence are normal. However, if you’re experiencing painful gas and the embarrassment of chronic and foul smelling flatulence, you can start to play detective and try to eliminate the cause.How is Gas Formed?
Excess gas in the stomach can be caused by a number of things, such as excessive drinking, swallowing air, not chewing your food thoroughly, eating spicy and gas-forming food, too much stress, some kind of bacterial infection, gas forms when bacteria in your colon ferment carbohydrates that aren’t digested in your small intestine, or digestive disorders (IBS or constipation).Home Care To Avoid Bloating or Gas Problem
Simple changes in diet and lifestyle will help in reducing or relieving gas- When you eat or drink fast, you can swallow a lot of air, which can cause gas. So eat slowly to avoid bloating.
- Don’t fill up on air. Habits like smoking, chewing gum, and drinking through a straw may cause your stomach to fill with air, leading to gas.
- Try smaller portions. Many of the foods that can cause gas are part of a healthy diet. So, try eating smaller portions of gastric foods to see if your body can handle a smaller portion without creating excess gas. The digestive tract can’t break down fiber, and excessive gas is often a result. But gradually increasing the high-fiber foods in your diet allows the bacteria in the digestive tract to adjust to the extra fiber and help prevent gas Problem.
- If you lie down right after eating, it can make it more challenging for your body to digest the food you just ate. When digestion is more challenging or takes longer, this can lead to an increase in intestinal bloating and gas production. Instead, sit upright or stand for at least an hour after eating a meal before you lie down.
- Any physical activity or movement after eating helps the body process food better. Taking a short walk after eating can help speed intestinal transit, increase the rate of digestion, and cut down on gas production.
- Drink liquids before meals instead of with them. Drinking when you eat dilutes digestive juices and frustrates digestion. So never drink water while you are eating, it is preferable if you drink before your meal. Try to drink plenty of fluids every day.
- If you’re lactose intolerant, try substituting curd for milk. Or use an enzyme product to help break down lactose. Consuming small amounts of milk products or combining them with other foods may also help. In some cases, though, you may need to stop eating dairy foods completely. If so, be sure to get enough protein, calcium and B vitamins from other sources.
Foods That Contribute to Gas Production
- Vegetables: Cabbage, radishes, onions, broccoli, potatoes, cauliflower, cucumbers
- Fruits: Prunes, apricots, apples, raisins, bananas
- Cereals, breads: All foods that contain wheat and wheat products including cereals, breads, and pastries.
- Fatty foods: Pan-fried or deep-fried foods, fatty meats, rich cream sauces and gravies, pastries. (While fatty foods are not carbohydrates, they too can contribute to intestinal gas.)
- Liquids: Carbonated beverages
Bloating Treatment
You may reduce flatulence by trying:- Preventive steps
- Taking a probiotic supplement or eating foods with probiotics in them, is a great way to get rid of the most common symptoms of gas. Discuss with your doctor before taking this.
- Nonprescription medications containing simethicone (Gelusil), charcoal
- Take over-the-counter tablets or liquids containing the enzyme lactase before you eat or drink products containing milk.
- Lactose-reduced dairy products are available in grocery stores.