Gas and Gas Pains – Symptoms and Causes
Overview
Gas in your digestive system happens during normal digestion. Getting rid of excess gas by burping or passing gas is a natural process. Sometimes gas pain occurs when gas gets trapped in your digestive system.
Gas pain often comes from eating foods that produce more gas. Simple changes to your diet can help reduce uncomfortable gas.
Consider options like over-the-counter antacids, digestive enzyme supplements, gas-reducing medications, probiotics for gut health, and food journals to identify gas-triggering foods.
Certain digestive conditions like irritable bowel syndrome and celiac disease may cause increased gas along with other symptoms.
Signs of Gas
Gas can cause several noticeable symptoms in the body. People often burp, which is quite normal during or after meals.
Passing gas is also common, with most people doing so up to 20 times daily.
Some uncomfortable symptoms include:
- Pain or cramps in the abdomen
- Knotted feeling in the stomach area
- Sensation of fullness or pressure (bloating)
- Visible enlargement of the abdomen (distention)
While these symptoms might cause embarrassment or discomfort, they typically aren’t signs of a serious health problem. The body naturally produces and releases gas as part of normal digestive processes.
When to See a Doctor
Contact your healthcare provider if gas or gas pains disrupt your daily activities. Certain symptoms alongside gas may signal more serious health issues that need medical attention:
- Bloody stools
- Changes in stool consistency
- Different bowel movement patterns
- Unexplained weight loss
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Ongoing nausea or vomiting
Get emergency care right away if you experience:
- Extended abdominal pain
- Chest pain
These symptoms might indicate a more serious condition that requires immediate medical evaluation. Don’t ignore warning signs, especially when they persist or worsen over time.
What Makes You Gassy?
Foods That Often Cause Gas
Many high-fiber foods can lead to gas buildup in your system. These include:
- Beans and other legumes
- Many fruits
- Several vegetables
- Whole grain products
Don’t completely avoid these foods; fiber is important for a healthy digestive system and helps manage blood sugar and cholesterol levels.
Other Diet-Related Causes
What you eat isn’t the only dietary factor that can make you gassy:
- Fizzy drinks like sodas and beer add extra gas to your stomach.
- How you eat matters too—eating quickly, using straws, chewing gum, or talking while eating makes you swallow more air.
- Fiber supplements containing psyllium might increase gas in your colon.
- Artificial sweeteners found in sugar-free products (like sorbitol, mannitol, and xylitol) can cause excess gas.
Health Issues That Cause Gas
Sometimes excessive gas points to underlying health conditions:
- Digestive diseases like diverticulitis or inflammatory bowel disease often have gas as a symptom.
- Bacterial imbalances in the small intestine can lead to excess gas, diarrhea, and weight loss.
- Food sensitivities such as lactose intolerance or gluten sensitivity often cause gas and bloating.
- Being constipated can make it harder to pass gas, leading to an uncomfortable buildup.
Additional Information
Gas in your stomach usually comes from swallowed air and escapes through burping.
In contrast, gas in your large intestine forms when bacteria break down undigested carbohydrates. Bacteria use some of this gas, but the rest needs to be released from your body.
