Bloating typically goes away within 24 hours, but if you're looking for immediate relief, Michael D. Brown, MD, a gastroenterologist at Rush University Medical Group, recommends trying simethicone, an over-the-counter medication that is available under brands like Gas-X and Equate.
Gas and bloating usually are caused by something you eat or drink, including some natural health products and medicines. Gas and bloating are usually harmless and go away without treatment. However, changing your diet can help end the problem. Some over-the-counter medicines can help prevent gas and relieve bloating.
Gas in the stomach is frequently caused by swallowing air while eating and drinking, which is generally released by burping. In the intestines, gut bacteria produce gas while digesting carbohydrates such as fiber, starches, and sugars, a process known as fermentation.
What position should I lie in to relieve gas? Your side. Lying on your side with your knees bent can help to relieve trapped gas. If you don't feel relief after a few minutes, pull your knees closer to your chest or try alternating between straight legs and bent knees.
Pain, cramps or a knotted feeling in your abdomen. A feeling of fullness or pressure in your abdomen (bloating) An observable increase in the size of your abdomen (distention)
Trouble Passing Gas
According to the Mount Sinai Medical Center, a tumor, scar tissue (adhesions), or narrowing of the intestines are all likely causes of abdominal obstruction. If you're experiencing gas pain and you either can't pass gas or have excessive flatulence, speak to your healthcare provider.
It might be as simple as eating too much too fast, or you could have a food intolerance or other condition that causes gas and digestive contents to build up. Your menstrual cycle is another common cause of temporary bloating. Sometimes a bloated stomach can indicate a more serious medical condition.
Here are some simple ways to tell if intestinal gas is behind your bloating and discomfort: You feel the urge to pass gas or to belch. You get relief from the bloating and pain when you pass gas. Your pain and bloating don't persist or worsen.
While trapped gas may cause discomfort, it usually passes on its own after a few hours. Some people may be able to relieve pain due to trapped gas using natural remedies, certain body positions, or OTC medications. Avoiding known trigger foods or drinks can help prevent trapped gas from occurring.
Drinking warm water in the morning can activate the body's metabolism, resulting in more fat burning throughout the day. Drinking hot water also helps cleanse the intestines and eliminate waste in the body that may cause flatulence and excess water in the body.
“Always start with your right side, as this targets the ascending colon, which will push the gas to your descending colon. Then when you do the left side, you push all the gas out.”
Gas in the intestine causes pain for some people. When it collects on the left side of the colon, the pain can be confused with heart disease. When it collects on the right side of the colon, the pain may feel like the pain associated with gallstones or appendicitis.
“Potassium-rich foods help flush out sodium and water." This helps balance body fluid and get rid of excess water in the body to squash your bloat, research shows. While eating one banana won't magically cure bloat, eating potassium-rich foods like bananas throughout the day will help reduce bloat, she adds.