Excessive Gas

If frequent gas has you concerned, it may help to know what's happening in your body.

                           

Do you constantly burp, pass gas, or feel bloated?

The body naturally produces gas — and produces even more if you eat certain foods, particularly if you’ve just increased the amount of fiber in your diet. Even if you feel like you suffer from excessive gas, it's probably a normal amount. But if too much gas is making you feel uncomfortable, there are steps you can take to adjust your diet and reduce flatulence and bloating.

What Is Gas?

Gas is made up of several different vapors — carbon dioxide, hydrogen, methane, nitrogen, and oxygen — that pass through the body. Gas can cause pain and cramping in the abdomen as well as some noisy sound effects:

§  Belching. Some gas can be released from the body through the mouth by burping. When you swallow a lot of air while eating, it travels into your stomach. Belching allows your body to release this excess air.

§  Flatulence. Passing gas through the rectum occurs when the body can't digest all of the food that you eat. Sugars, some fiber, and starches may be particularly difficult for your body to break down and lead to gas.

§  Bloating. Bloating is caused by an accumulation of gas that may make you feel full and uncomfortable. Even so, feeling bloated doesn’t necessarily mean that you have excessive gas; it might just mean that you are more sensitive to gas than other people.

Most people produce up to four pints of gas a day, resulting in passing gas or belching more than 20 times each day. So burping or passing gas after meals doesn’t mean that you suffer from excessive gas — what you’re experiencing is normal. Considerably more gas than that, or constant bloating or pain, may signify excessive gas.

 Why Gas Happens

Gas can occur due to the foods that you eat or because you take in too much air while eating. There are a number of foods that can increase gas, bloating, and flatulence, and each one may affect every individual differently. Common gas triggers include dairy products, certain sugars, and artificial sweeteners, such as sorbitol.

Swallowing too much air may happen when you drink through a straw, eat or drink too quickly, or frequently chew gum. About 50 percent of gas that leads to flatulence comes from swallowing air, not from food.

Controlling Gas

If gas makes you uncomfortable and you want to find a way to control it — even if it's not excessive gas — try making some dietary and lifestyle changes. Avoid specific foods that you know give you gas and try to eat your meals more slowly. You can also control flatulence with over-the-counter remedies that aid digestion and reduce gas.

Excessive gas may be a sign of certain digestive health conditions, like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). If excess gas is caused by an underlying disorder, prescription medication can help to control it. If you notice excessive belching, flatulence, or bloating that isn't affected by your diet, discuss your symptoms with your doctor.