5 reasons why gas is trapped in your stomach and what you can do about it

Have you ever felt a sudden pain in your chest or abdomen? Many people also end up rushing to the emergency room, suspecting a cardiac episode when such a thing happens. Fortunately, it’s just a case of trapped gas in the majority of the cases.

You’re probably already aware of the fact that we pass the gas trapped in our gut by farting or burping. But, there are a few people who experience gastric issues which can hinder day-to-day life by causing severe discomfort.

Wondering exactly why we experience trapped gas? Here are some of the reasons:

There are numerous reasons that lead to excess gas creation within the digestive system:

1. Irritable bowel syndrome happens due to improper digestion. It can also happen if you incorporate fewer fibres in your diet.

2. Crohn’s disease can lead to trapped gas in people who experience food intolerance, be it lactose intolerance or any specific food allergy.

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3. Bacterial overgrowth in the gut can again lead to excess gas as it hampers the digestion process.

4. Constipation caused due to consuming unhealthy food is another cause for gas. Not being able to defecate properly will lead to the accumulation of gases like carbon dioxide, hydrogen and methane. Plus, the production of sulfur makes the case worse and smelly.

5. Eating chewing gum, smoking, and drinking too much alcohol can lead to the production of gas. Your diet can also act as a catalyst. Too much consumption of cruciferous vegetables (like broccoli, cauliflower, beans) can also lead to gas.

6. Stress is another culprit.

The symptoms of trapped gas include persistent diarrhoea, blood in the poop, fever, loss of appetite, swollen abdomen, fatigue, vomiting, and problems in swallowing food.

Sounds scary, isn’t it? Frankly, it is. 

You can totally keep clear of this ailment by doing these 6 simple things:

1. Change the way you breathe

Believe it or not, but most of us don’t understand the art of breathing. The rule is to take deep breaths to fill up the lungs properly and exhale to ensure no extra gas is left behind in your system.

2. Change the way you eat

Including more fibre in your diet is the key. Moreover, you need to have a balanced diet in order to ensure you’re consuming every nutrient that your body needs.

3. Chew your food properly

If you think chewing is just another task, you are highly mistaken. You need to follow the 32-times-chewing rule. Keep your mouth closed while you chew otherwise you can swallow a lot of air which can make you gassy.

4. Don’t hold your farts

It can be embarrassing but holding in your farts can turn out to be utterly uncomfortable. It can lead to severe pain in the abdominal region and make you feel bloated.

5. Don’t stay still

Most of us are working from home these days and thanks to COVID-19, there is hardly any scope for us to get out of our homes. Therefore, we’re also losing out on regular physical activity. So, ensure that you stand up and move around after every hour. Moreover, an hour long exercise session at home can improve things drastically.

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6. Stay hydrated

Drinking water isn’t enough. You need to include other fluids like green teas, buttermilk, coconut water, and soups to ensure better gut health. Moreover, fennel water is another great way to keep gas at bay.

If none of these work, you can also take some OTC (over-the-counter) medicine or use heat compression to soothe the pain. In addition, do visit a doctor to rule out any other underlying medical condition.

So, if you’re experiencing some gas, make sure you’re doing things suggested here for some relief!