Bloating, gas, burping, excessive flatulence and other tummy troubles can be painful, uncomfortable and embarrassing, but you must determine the root cause of your problem to effectively address it. You might have a simple issue like swallowing too much air or an underlying medical condition causing your bloating and gas. It might take some trial and error, along with dietary changes, to relieve your symptoms. See your doctor if you don't notice improvement after trying to alleviate the most common sources of gas and pain or your symptoms get worse.
Bloating and Gas
For many, a little tummy trouble is sporadic and tolerable. If it's caused by something you ate, the problem usually gets relieved when the food finally passes out of your system. You also might have a temporary bug that causes bloating and excess gas. But according to a report in Harvard's "HEALTHbeat," a quarter of American adults suffer frequent enough bouts of gastrointestinal problems to disrupt their lifestyles. Bloating and gas that don't go away on their own might be a signal you need to get help.
Avoid Triggers
Chewing gum can cause you to take in too much air and cause both stomach bloat and excess gas, as can drinking through straws or puffing on cigarettes. Moreover, if you're sucking up carbonated soft drinks through those straws, you are upping your chance of experiencing bloat and gas, particularly if your drink contains fructose or sorbitol. Watch your carb intake too, especially fiber. Fiber is good for you, but it can repeat on you. In addition, foods like Brussels sprouts, cabbage, beans and turnips are fiber-rich and known gas and bloat producers. If you're taking fiber supplements, cut back on them and gradually get back to your regular dose to give your body time to adjust. Also, if you love the bloating-causing vegetables, try eating them in smaller portions throughout your day.
Find Out If You Have a Medical Problem
Ask your doctor to test you for ailments that frequently produce the symptoms you're experiencing. For example, irritable bowel syndrome can cause gas and bloating, and diarrhea or constipation and chronic abdominal pain frequently accompany it. Acid reflux, or gastroesophageal reflux disease, can have the same effect. Rarer, Crohn's disease is an immune system disorder that might bring about frequent bloating and gas. Check to see if you have food allergies or intolerances that distress your gastrointestinal track. Undiagnosed Celiac disease will leave you ignorant to the fact that your body can't handle gluten too well. Other common food allergies are caused by wheat, peanuts, soy, eggs and corn. Try cutting back on these foods or eliminating them to see if that helps. Lactose intolerance makes you unable to digest milk and milk-based products, and if you have this condition your body could churn up a great deal of gas if you eat a lactose-containing food.
Clean Up Your Diet
Get rid of excess sodium from your diet, as too much salt exacerbates bloating. Processed foods are often a source of excessive amounts of sodium in the typical American diet. In addition, cut back the fat. Fatty foods prevent your stomach from emptying efficiently. The longer they sit there, the more time there is for bacterial fermentation in your colon, which causes extra gas production. Also, instead of eating three large meals per day, experiment to find out whether several smaller meals relieves your gas and bloating.
It Could Be Your Nerves
Believe it or not, being nervous, stressed and anxious, excited or feeling a host of other intense emotions can cause somatic symptoms, says Columbia University's Go Ask Alice. In that case, extra exercise, breathing techniques, yoga and counseling might help you with your gas and bloating problem.
