Carbonated beverages, such as soda and beer, increase stomach gas. Eating habits, such as eating too quickly, drinking through a straw, chewing gum, sucking on candies or talking while chewing results in swallowing more air. Fiber supplements containing psyllium, such as Metamucil, may increase colon gas.
Too much upper intestinal gas can come from swallowing more than a usual amount of air. It also can come from overeating, smoking, chewing gum or having loose-fitting dentures. Too much lower intestinal gas can be caused by eating too much of certain foods or not being able to fully digest certain foods.
Swallowing air (aerophagia) can cause abdominal bloating and gas. This can occur while sleeping, eating, talking, drinking or in times of stress. You can even swallow air while laughing. In addition to swallowing air, foods rich in prebiotics and fiber are known to produce excess gas.
If you're bothered by intestinal gas, try changing your diet. However, see your health care provider if your gas is severe or doesn't go away. Also see your provider if you have vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, unintentional weight loss, blood in the stool or heartburn with your gas.
Baking soda is effective at relieving both indigestion and acid reflux when it's consumed. It can also help with bloating and gas. Mix half a teaspoon of baking soda with 4-5 ounces of warm water and drink up to experience relief.
One of the simplest and most effective ways to reduce bloating is by drinking water. Drinking plenty of water throughout the day can help to flush out excess sodium and toxins in the body, which can contribute to bloating.
Lemon water can help with digestion
To relieve bloating, gas, and constipation, drink a cup of lemon water first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. Lemon contains minerals that promote healthy digestion, alleviate heartburn, and stimulate healthy bowel function by reducing bloat and stimulating bowel movements.
Anecdotal evidence links older age to increased gas production. This has been attributed to the metabolic changes that take place at this time of life. These include a general slowing of the metabolism, a decrease in muscle tone and less-effective digestion.
Learn stress and anxiety-reducing breathing techniques, such as controlled diaphragmatic breathing, which can soothe the Vagus nerve and promote good digestive health. Learn to relax your body at every opportunity. Take antacids if the problem becomes severe. Address your stress and anxiety issues.
Probiotics help eliminate or decrease common gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, gas, reflux and even nausea/vomiting. These foods help fill your gut with healthy bacteria that will assist in the healthy breakdown of the food you eat.
Yogurt's probiotics (good bacteria) help your gut digest and absorb food, so there's less gas and bloating. Go for plain yogurt with active cultures, and sweeten it with a little fruit.
Look for probiotic supplements containing strains like Bifidobacterium lactis, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Streptococcus thermophilus, which help alleviate gas and bloating.
If gas occurs more frequently than usual, or if it's accompanied by other symptoms, like abdominal pain, weight loss, fever, or bloody stools, you should speak with your doctor. “These symptoms could be signs of a digestive disorder, such as celiac disease, ulcerative colitis, or Crohn's disease,” says Dr.
Anxiety and Gas
This often occurs unintentionally, as during a panic attack most people's breathing patterns change significantly (i.e. - breathing more rapidly). Once the air is inside your body, it starts can cause pressure that needs to be released, which results in gas.
Can stress cause gas? "Sometimes stress can make [gas and bloating] a major issue," Dr. Raj says. "What's happening there is the stress is affecting how you digest your food and then your food is producing more gas—more air in the system—which leads to that distended feeling."
Some other symptoms of anxiety include bloating, unwanted gas, "stomach butterflies" and cramps. Chronic stress and anxiety also cause heartburn and inflammation of the gut, which results in your body targeting the bacteria in your gastrointestinal tract.