We all love to eat spicy and delicious food. Sometimes, we overeat, and this results in stomach pain and bloating. Does this mean that you will stop eating? Well, there is no need for that since there are many home remedies that can solve gas, heartburn, and bloating.
- What Is Gas?
- What Are The Basic Causes Of Gas?
- Quick Remedies
What Is Gas?
When you sense the accumulation of excessive gas in your body, it is an indication of a mild gastric problem that causes embarrassment more than discomfort. Usually, gas is odorless unless it contains methane. In other instances, the gas passes through the rectum, and the bacteria present there add sulfur to it, causing the odor to increase.
Gas may or may not be accompanied by pain. If you are suffering, you may have acute or chronic gas problems. While you can get rid of acute gas problems quickly, chronic gas problems are more permanent and can also lead to ulcers. Sometimes, gas pains may be so intense that you may feel like something is seriously wrong. Gas troubles can sometimes be mistaken for appendicitis, heart diseases, and gallstones. Read on to know the common causes and main symptoms of gas problems.
Gas is usually formed when bacteria in the colon ferment the carbohydrates that have not been digested in the small intestine. Astonishingly, it is the healthy, high-fiber foods that are the worst offenders. Although fiber regulates the cholesterol and blood sugar levels and keep your digestive tract in good working condition, it can also lead to the formation of gas.
These are a few high fiber foods you must beware of – vegetables, fruits, whole grains, peas and beans. Fiber supplements that contain psyllium can also cause problems, especially if added too quickly to your diet. If you have carbonated beverages such as beer and soda, you could also suffer from gas.
Other causes of excess gas include:
1. Swallowing Of Air
Every time you consume something, you tend to swallow air too. You also swallow air when you eat too fast, chew gum, suck on candies, drink through a straw, or if you are simply nervous. Some of this air finds its way to the digestive tract, thereby causing gas.
2. Suffering From A Certain Health Condition
Sometimes, too much gas may be a symptom of a more serious, chronic condition. You might experience severe gas if you have diverticulitis or inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. Gas could also be a symptom of bacterial overgrowth in the small intestines, owing to diabetes.
3. Food Intolerances
You could experience gas and bloating after you consume dairy products because your body isn’t capable enough of breaking down the lactose. You could also be gluten intolerant. Gluten is usually found in grains like wheat. This protein can cause excessive gas, weight loss, and diarrhea.
4. Artificial Additives
It is possible that your body is averse to artificial sweeteners such as sorbitol, xylitol, and mannitol that are found in sugar-free gums and candies. Gas and diarrhea are the first symptoms if your body doesn’t agree with sweeteners.
5. Constipation
6. Consumption Of Certain Drugs
Some drugs like nicotine, erythromycin, corticosteroids, aspirin, and beta-blockers could also meddle with digestion and cause excessive gas for the period you consume them. You could safely say that gas is a possible side effect of these drugs.
Quick Remedies
You can reduce or relieve gas troubles by making these simple and easy lifestyle changes.
- Consume Your Food And Drinks Slowly – Drinking and eating too fast can cause swallowing of air, which in turn causes gas. Slow down and remember to chew your food thoroughly.
- Reduce The Portion Size – Many gas-causing foods are also part of a healthy diet. It might be a good idea to have smaller portions of the problem foods to see if your body can benefit from them without creating excess gas.
- Exercise – Physical activity always helps to move the gas around and out through the digestive tract. There are some effective yoga asanas, like Pawanmuktasana, Bharadvajasana, and Supta Matsyendrasana, which will help relieve gas instantly.
- Pass A Motion – Encouraging bowel movements will speed up movement in the lining of the muscles in the large intestine, which will allow the gas to find its way out. It will also push out stored stools to release the trapped intestinal gas.
- Apply Heat To Your Stomach – Using a hot bag to relieve gas is extremely helpful. It will relax the muscles, ease the pain, and release the gas. You could also sit in a hot tub.
- Breathe Long And Deep – Deep, diaphragmatic breathing helps to ease pain and relax the abdominal muscles. It also releases stress, thereby relieving gas.
- Drinking The Right Way – When you drink liquids with your meals, you tend to cool down the acids in the stomach. This slows down the food breakdown process. Remember to drink liquids 30 minutes before or after your meals to keep the process of digestion intact.
- Eat In The Right Order – Our bodies naturally produce hydrochloric acid. The HCl breaks down the proteins when you begin to eat. If you start your meal with carbohydrates, all the HCl will get used up before you eat the proteins.
- Lie Down – If you have a bout of gas, you must lie down with your head elevated. Rest in this position until you feel better. You can also turn to one side for relief.
