Gas and gas pains : Causes-Symptoms-Diagnosis-Treatment
What is Gas and gas pains?
Gaseous waste is part of the digestive process. When the gas is eliminated through burping or passing flatus, it may cause pain if the gas is not moving well through the digestive system.
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| Gas and gas pains |
If you experience more gas after eating certain foods, it may be because of the food itself. Often changing your diet to avoid producing gas is a simple solution.
People with digestive system disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome or celiac disease, may experience an increase in gas or gas pain.
Medical terms
Intestinal gasoline is a mixture of odorless vapors, such as oxygen, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, hydrogen and methane. This fuels paperwork in the digestive gadget. When these vapors mix with intestinal microorganisms, an ugly sulfur smell can expand.
Your body releases fuel via the mouth (belching) or rectum (flatulence). Sometimes gas gets trapped inside the stomach. This fuel buildup causes stomach ache and bloating (a swollen or tight feeling).
Symptoms Gas and gas pains
Some signs or symptoms of gas pain include:
Burping
Passing gas
If you experience pain in your abdomen, it might be because of cramps.
If you feel full or pressured in your abdomen, it means you have bloating.
You may notice an increase in the size of your abdomen (stomach distention).
Burping is a normal event, particularly after eating. Most people pass gas up to 20 times per day. Therefore, having gas may be inconvenient or embarrassing, but passing gas alone is rarely a sign of a medical problem.
When to see a doctor
If your gas or gas pains are persistent and severe, see your doctor. Gas pains accompanied by other signs or symptoms may indicate a more serious condition. If you experience any of these additional symptoms, see your doctor: If there are symptoms, such as fever, rash, or tiredness, You should check to see if there are any symptoms. If there are, you should investigate what might be causing them.
Bloody stools
Change in consistency of stools
Change in frequency of bowel movements
Weight loss
Constipation or diarrhea
If someone experiences nausea or vomiting often, it might be a sign of an illness.
If you experience any of these symptoms, seek medical care right away:
Prolonged abdominal pain
Chest pain
Causes Gas and gas pains
Stomach gas is caused by eating or drinking and swallowing air. Most gas is released when you burp.
Bacteria ferment carbohydrates and fiber in your large intestine (colon). This produces gas. The gas is released when you pass gas from your anus.
Common foods that cause gas
Some high-fiber foods may cause gas, including:
Beans and peas (legumes)
Fruits
Vegetables
Whole grains
Fiber is important for regulating your digestive tract and managing blood sugar and cholesterol levels. Foods high in fiber also produce gas.
Other dietary factors
Other things that can contribute to increased gas in the digestive system include the following:
Carbonated beverages,Soda and beer can cause stomach gas.
Eating habits,Swallowing air while eating, chewing gum, or drinking quickly can cause problems.
Fiber supplementsMetamucil, which contains psyllium, may increase the amount of gas in your colon.
Sugar substitutes,Artificial sweeteners such as sorbitol, mannitol, and xylitol can cause excessive gas in the intestine.
Medical conditions
Some medical conditions that can lead to intestinal gas bloating or gas pain include the following:
Chronic intestinal disease.Having too much gas is often a sign of chronic intestinal conditions such as diverticulitis ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease.
Small bowel bacterial overgrowth.If the bacteria in the small intestine increases or changes, this can cause diarrhea and weight loss.
Food intolerances.If you don't have enough digestive enzymes to digest certain foods, such as sugar in dairy products or proteins in grains, gas or bloating may occur.
Constipation.If constipation is a problem, it may be difficult to pass gas.
Diagnosis Gas and gas pains
Your doctor will likely determine the cause of your gas and gas pains based on:
Your medical history
A review of your dietary habits
A physical exam
During the physical exam, your doctor may touch your abdomen to feel tenderness and determine if there is any unusual feeling. Listening to the sound of your abdomen with a stethoscope can help your doctor determine how well your digestive system is working.
If there are other signs and symptoms associated with your exam, such as weight loss or blood in your stool, your doctor may order additional diagnostic tests.
Treatment Gas and gas pains
If your gas pains are caused by another health problem, treating the underlying condition may offer relief. Gas pain is generally treated with dietary measures, lifestyle modifications, or over-the-counter medications. Although the solution isn't always the same for everyone, a little research can usually help you find a solution that works best for you. Many people find some relief through trial and error.
Diet
Dietary changes may help reduce the amount of gas your body produces or speed up the movement of gas through your system. Keeping a diary of what you eat and how you feel about gas will help your doctor and you make decisions about changes to your diet. You may need to eliminate some items or eat smaller portions. You can share parts of other things.
Some people experience gas symptoms when they reduce or eliminate certain dietary factors.
High-fiber foods. Some high-fiber foods can cause gas. These include beans, onions, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, artichokes, asparagus, pears, apples, peaches, and prunes. You can experiment to see which foods make you gassy. You may avoid high-fiber foods for a few weeks and gradually add them back in.Eating a lot of dietary fiber is important. Talk to your doctor to ensure you are getting the right amount.
Dairy.Reducing dairy products from your diet may lessen symptoms. You can also try dairy products that are lactose-free or take milk products that are supplemented with lactase to help with digestion.
Sugar substitutes.Try a different sugar substitute if you are using one. Or, if you are not using a sugar substitute, try to eliminate them from your diet.
Fried or fatty foods.A diet high in fat can delay the removal of gas from the intestines. If symptoms persist after reducing fried or fatty foods from your diet, then surgery may be necessary.
Carbonated beverages.Don't drink lots of carbonated beverages.
Fiber supplements.If you are taking a fiber supplement, talk to your doctor about the dosage and type of supplement that is best for you.
Water.Drink water with your meals to help prevent constipation. Take fiber supplements to increase the amount of dietary fiber in your body.
Over-the-counter remedies
Some people may experience less gas symptoms when using the following products:
Alpha-galactosidase(Beano BeanAssist) helps break down carbohydrates in beans and other vegetables. You take the supplement before eating a meal, so that it can help with digestion.
Lactase supplementsLactaid Digest Dairy Plus help you digest the sugar in dairy products. These supplements reduce gas symptoms if you are lactose intolerant. Talk to your doctor before using lactase supplements if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.
SimethiconeGas-X Mylanta Gas Minis and others are meant to break up the bubbles in gas, and may help gas pass through your digestive system. There is little clinical evidence to suggest that this product is effective in relieving gas symptoms.
Activated charcoalThere is not enough evidence to show that (Actidose-Aqua CharcoCaps) taken before or after a meal will have a clear benefit. It may also interfere with your body's ability to absorb medications. Charcoal may be difficult to brush off and may stain your clothing and the inside of your mouth.
There are some ways to improve your lifestyle and home remedies
Making changes to your lifestyle may help reduce or relieve gas and gas pain.
Try smaller portions.Eating foods that can cause gas is part of a healthy diet. Try eating smaller portions of problematic foods to see if your body can handle a smaller portion without creating excess gas.
Take your time chewing your food thoroughly. Don't drink your food quickly.If you find it hard to slow down and eat one bite at a time, put your fork down between bites.
Do not chew hard candies or drink from a straw while sucking on it. This will cause tooth decay and other health problems.These activities can cause you to inhale more air.
Check your dentures.If your dentures are not fitting correctly, this can cause you to swallow air when you eat or drink. See your dentist if this is happening.
Don't smoke.Smoking cigarettes can increase the number of breaths you take in a single minute. If you need help quitting, talk to your doctor.
Exercise.Regular exercise reduces the risk of constipation, which can prevent the release of gas from your colon.
If you're worried about the smell of passing gas, you can reduce the number of foods that may cause an odor by eating foods that contain less sulfur. This includes broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, and cauliflower. You can also try using pads or underwear to reduce the smell from your body, and place items such as cushions with charcoal in the area to absorb it. Gassing causes unpleasant smells.
Preparing for your appointment
Before you see your doctor, be prepared to answer the following questions: -What are the symptoms I am experiencing? -Do I have any other symptoms? -Is there anything I should do in advance?
Can you tell me when you first started noticing an increase in gas or gas pains?
When you belch or pass gas, is the pain gone?
How many times do you pass gas each day?
Can you think of any foods that might have caused your symptoms in the past?
What new foods or drinks have you been eating lately?
What medications or supplements do you take on a regular basis?
Do you have any nausea or vomiting when experiencing gas pains?
Have you lost weight without intending to?
Do you have any new bowel habits?
Can you drink sodas or other carbonated beverages?
Do you eat food with sugar substitutes?
Are you frequently using candy or drinking through a straw?
What you can do in the meantime
Keep a journal of what you eat and drink, as well as your bowel movements and any other symptoms you experience. Bring the journal to your doctor's appointment so that he or she can determine whether there is a connection between your gas or gas pains and your diet.
General summary
Everyone has gas. It may be uncomfortable and embarrassing, but it isn't life-threatening. Gas is removed via burping or passing it through the rectum. Most human beings produce approximately 1 to 4 pints of fuel a day and skip gas about 14 instances a day.
Most gas is made up of odorless vapors--carbon dioxide, oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, and every so often methane. Bacteria in the large gut launch gasses that contain sulfur and bring an ugly smell of flatulence.
