Trapped wind is a common condition that causes pain and discomfort in the stomach and abdomen. It's caused by a build-up of gas in the digestive system that puts pressure on the stomach area and causes discomfort.
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.
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.
eating raw, low-sugar fruits, such as apricots, blackberries, blueberries, cranberries, grapefruits, peaches, strawberries, and watermelons. choosing low-carbohydrate vegetables, such as green beans, carrots, okra, tomatoes, and bok choy. eating rice instead of wheat or potatoes, as rice produces less gas.
In some cases, excessive gas may signal a digestive condition, such as: IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) is a gastrointestinal disorder that causes symptoms like persistent gas along with bloating, abdominal pain, mucus in your stool, changes in bowel habits and feeling like you haven't finished a bowel movement.
Share on Pinterest Carbonated beverages such as sparkling water may help to release gas that has built up. In addition to these positions, rubbing the abdomen in a clockwise motion may help get rid of trapped gas and reduce cramps and bloating. Some foods and drinks may also help a person pass gas.
What are the symptoms of trapped wind? Common symptoms of trapped wind include a bloated stomach or abdomen, flatulence or burping, stomach cramps, a rumbling or gurgling sound, nausea, and pain when you bend or exercise.
Don't eat solids until the pain goes. A hot water bottle or wheat pack on your tummy may help – or a warm bath. You can take paracetamol for the pain – but no other types of painkillers, because they can irritate your stomach and make the pain worse.
Factors such as hormonal imbalances, food intolerances, constipation, gut bacteria imbalances, large or small intestinal parasites and certain medications can all result in bloating without passing gas. It's important to remember that while gas may be a sign of true bloating, it depends on what else you are feeling.
You could try drinking peppermint or ginger teas, or taking them as supplements. Relaxing your gut is also vital, as this allows gas to move through it more easily. This can be achieved by holding a hot water bottle against your stomach or by sipping warm water.
Gas sometimes settles in the curves of the large bowel (large intestine) under the liver or spleen. This can cause pain in the upper right or upper left areas of your tummy.
Intestinal gas and its discomfort are likely to resolve on their own. Burping or passing gas through the rectum (flatulence) is usually enough to ease your physical discomfort.
In fact, water can help with bloating and gas, two common symptoms people experience from time to time. No matter what is causing your bloating, gas, or similar symptoms, drinking water is one of many healthy habits that can provide you with both short-term relief and overall improvement.
Drink warm water
Water stimulates peristalsis (movement in the intestine). Drinking a cup of warm water may help relieve gas and cramps.
Your body releases gas through the mouth (belching) or rectum (flatulence). Sometimes gas gets trapped in the stomach. This gas buildup causes abdominal pain and bloating (a swollen or tight feeling).
If you're bothered by intestinal gas, try changing your diet. However, see your doctor if your gas is persistent or severe, or if it's associated with vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, unintentional weight loss, blood in the stool or heartburn.
Call your doctor if you have abdominal pain that lasts 1 week or longer, if your pain doesn't improve in 24 to 48 hours, if bloating lasts more than 2 days, or if you have diarrhea for more than 5 days.
Eating more slowly and opting for smaller, more regular meals can help reduce trapped wind. Try to chew each mouthful sufficiently and keep your mouth closed to avoid taking in more air.
In some people, stress slows down digestion, causing bloating, pain and constipation, while in others it speeds it up, causing diarrhoea and frequent trips to the loo.
Back pain and bloating can sometimes occur together. Common causes include hormonal changes, stress, a urinary tract infection, a back injury, or gas. Although back pain and bloating are fairly common symptoms, it is a good idea to see a doctor if they last more than a few days.
People may experience gas at night due to eating close to bedtime. Specifically, lying down very soon after eating may cause indigestion, which can produce gas. Also, eating a large meal can trigger some conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).