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:
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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.
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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.
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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.
