Bloating due to a build-up of gas can be uncomfortable--and sometimes painful. Bloating goes away when the gas in your stomach and intestines is passed in one of two ways, through burping or flatulence, says the Mayo Clinic. A simple home remedy to relieve gas is to be mindful of what types of foods you eat and use simple strategies to reduce gas during and after meals.
More About Gas
Gas is extremely common--and for the most part, unavoidable. The National Institutes of Health indicates that the average person passes gas 14 times a day, either through burping or flatulence, and produce between one and four pints of gas daily. Gas that passes through the rectum gets its odor from the bacteria in the intestines that release sulfur, says the NIH. According to the Mayo Clinic, bloating can have a close relationship with fatty foods, stress and smoking or a medical condition such as irritable bowel syndrome, celiac disease or lactose intolerance. One simple home remedy for bloating is simply to avoid the foods that cause gas to form.
Gas and Food
Bloating and gas can be reduced by limiting foods that are difficult to digest, such as fiber, and avoiding those you don't tolerate well, says the University of Maryland Medical Clinic. Foods known to cause gas include baked beans, cabbage, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, lettuce and certain fruits, such as apples, peaches and pears, says the Mayo Clinic. For people with lactose intolerance, dairy products often cause gas. Diet foods and sugar-free candies and gums can also be problematic, states the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, or NDDIC. The Mayo Clinic advises that you cut back on the foods that seem to give you the most gas and temporarily cut back on high-fiber foods.
Identifying the Cause
If you're a well-rounded eater, it may be difficult to determine which foods cause you the most pronounced problems with gas and bloating. The NDDIC suggests keeping a food diary. Write down what you eat and the severity of symptoms you experience after your meals. This can be a helpful tool so you'll know which foods to avoid--or at least eat in moderation.
Other Strategies
Gas can be the cause of swallowing too much air. The NDDIC suggests that you eat slowly and chew thoroughly to limit the amount of air you swallow during meals. Pass on chewing gum and sucking on hard candy. Limit the number of cigarettes you smoke, or kick the habit entirely. Denture wearers should make sure that false teeth fit correctly. Physical activity can also be helpful. The Mayo Clinic suggests taking a walk after meals.
See Your Doctor
If you've cut down on problem foods and exercised strategies to avoid swallowing air but gas and bloating still persists, see your doctor, says the NDDIC. The Mayo Clinic also suggests you contact your doctor if gas is accompanied by other symptoms, such as diarrhea or constipation, nausea and vomiting, bloody stools, fever, pain in the stomach or rectum, or weight loss.
