Gas in stomach can be extremely discomforting
and often, embarrassing. Understanding its symptoms and causes and various
methods of alleviating the problem, may be beneficial for all those who suffer
from this problem.
Passing gas can be embarrassing, if happening
in public or in the presence of someone, while it is a natural biological
function. The average person passes gas through the mouth or the rectum at
least 12 times a day. The body produces stomach gas as a by-product of its
normal digestion process. However, there are times when excessive stomach gas
can cause various discomforting symptoms. Stomach gas comprises of carbon
dioxide, oxygen, hydrogen and nitrogen. One of the most common causes of
excessive stomach gas is a digestive problem. However, there are a host of
other causes for this problem too. Understanding the symptoms of excessive
stomach gas and its causes as well as treatment options is useful for those
suffering from excessive stomach gas production.
Symptoms
of Gas in Stomach
There are several ways that stomach gas makes
itself known to us. Here are some of the most common symptoms that a person
would experience this condition.
- Belching/Burping – Belching or burping is the most common
method of expelling stomach gas. This is commonly seen or heard after a
meal. Excessively swallowed air is the usual cause of burping. This
distends the stomach and belching or burping can expel the excess gas and
relieve discomfort. Excessive burping due to stomach gas may frequently
occur in people who drink vast quantities of carbonated beverages.
- Bloating – This symptom causes excessive discomfort. This
occurs when there is excess air trapped in the abdomen. Bloating, most
often, occurs after a heavy meal. Oily foods can delay the stomach
emptying process which can cause air to fill in the stomach leading to
bloating.
- Acid Taste – Burping can bring on a strange, acidic taste to
the mouth. This occurs when food and stomach acids travel up the esophagus
into the mouth. This is often experienced by people with gastro esophageal
reflux disease.
- Flatulence – The passing of gas through the intestines is
referred to as flatulence. Gas trapped in the intestines can cause cramps
and diarrhea and bloating. Gas can become trapped in the intestines due to
a digestive disorder and through the consumption of certain foods.
- Nausea – Patients with IBS or ulcers may experience stomach gas
that may lead to nausea. This feeling may continue for some time, till the
gas in the stomach is expelled.
Causes of
Gas in Stomach
Gas in the stomach can be due to a myriad of
causes. Some are simple causes while others can be due to an underlying medical
condition. Some of these causes are provided below.
- Undigested foods – slow digestion of foods can result in the
production of hydrogen and carbon dioxide and methane that cause a build
of stomach gas.
- Lactose intolerance – this is a congenital disorder that causes
allergic reactions to certain dairy products.
- Aerophagia – swallowing air while eating or drinking or talking
- Indigestion
- Pancreatitis – sudden inflammation of the pancreas
- Food poisoning
- IBS and constipation
It is not important that every time we should
visit the doctor to cure this, we can implement some of
the home remedies that
can treat this problem without going out. Some of such remedies are
1. Garlic
To get
relieve from gas, garlic is the best option. It is known for its pungent and
heating qualities, which will help in reducing the gastric fire. For proper
digestion, one should have fresh garlic soup.
Boil some
grinded garlic cloves in water. Add cumin seeds and black pepper in it. After
boiling, strain it and let it cool down on room temperature. Drink the solution
thrice a day for effective results.
2. Ginger
Ginger is
the best medicine used for treatment of indigestion. It is considered to be a
traditional cure for gastric trouble. To prevent gas and indigestion, one
should regularly chew fresh garlic piece after having a meal.
If you do
not want to chew it raw, add some dry pieces of garlic during the preparation
of food. Drinking ginger tea is also effective in curing gas. Boil some ginger
in hot water and strain it. Drink the tea twice or thrice a day.
Ginger oil
is also used for getting relief from gas. Put 2-3 drops of ginger oil on the
stomach and rub it thoroughly.
3. Black
Pepper
Black pepper
is considered to be best ayurvedic medicine for healing acidity and
indigestion. Its properties help in increasing the hydrochloric acid release in
the stomach. Take powdered pepper with jaggery to cure gastric irritation.
Take black
pepper, ginger powder, coriander seeds, and dried mint leaves in equal
quantity. Prepare a mixture after grinding them. Have a teaspoon of the mixture
two times in a day.
Pepper can
also be used with buttermilk.
4.
Caraway Seeds (Kala Jeera)
Caraway
seeds tea is used for healing gastric disorder. To prepare tea, add one
teaspoon of caraway seeds in one cup of boiling water. Steep it for a few
minutes. After steeping, strain the tea and drink it before having lunch or
dinner.
Else, chew
roasted caraway seeds mixed with rock salt.
5.
Buttermilk
Freshly
churned buttermilk is considered to best remedy for curing indigestion. It not
only helps in healing gastric problem, but also keeps you fit and healthy. Add
roasted powdered cumin seeds and a pinch of salt in buttermilk.
6. Cloves
Eat few
pieces of cloves directly to get relief from gas pain. If chewing cloves tastes
too pungent, use clove oil. It is one of the useful home remedy for bloating.
It easily reduces gas pain in the stomach.
7. Fennel
(Saunf)
Fennel is
one of the common ingredients available in the kitchen. Chew fennel seeds to
get instant relief in gas pain. Alternatively, fennel tea can also be used.
Boil some water. Add tea leaves and crushed fennel seeds in it. Let it steep
for a few minutes. Add jaggery syrup and a quarter cup of milk in it. Drink
after straining the tea.
8. Warm
Water
Sometimes,
due to gas, we feel severe stomach ache and are unable to eat anything. We
should drink warm water at regular intervals. This helps in maintaining water
levels in the body and getting rid of the gas.
9.
Asafoetida (Hing)
Add a pinch
of asafoetida in a glass of warm water. Stir it well and drink the solution,
three times in a day. Else, make a paste of asafoetida adding little water.
Apply it directly on the stomach.
Take a
wholly ripe banana, add a little quantity of asafoetida and eat it two times a
day.
10. Apple
Cider Vinegar
Add 2-3
tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in warm water. Allow it to cool down at room
temperature. Drink the solution to soothe the stomach-ache, caused due to gas.
Note: Normal
vinegar can be used if the apple cider vinegar is not available.
11.
Cardamom
Cardamom is
a spice used to speed up the digestion process. While cooking vegetable or
rice, add cardamom powder.
Chew pods of
cardamom 2-3 times a day for removing gas trouble.
Prepare tea
of fresh ginger, few pods of cardamom seeds, and a teaspoon of fennel seeds.
Drink the warm tea, many times in a day.
12. Lemon
and Baking Soda
Take a glass
and squeeze juice of one fresh lemon in it. Put some baking soda in it. After
adding baking soda to lemon juice, bubbles will start formulating. Add one cup
of water with some more baking soda. Stir the solution, until, the baking soda
gets dissolved. Drink the solution to get relief.
13.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon is
one of the essential ingredients to make the food tasty and also useful for
medicinal purpose. Add a teaspoon of cinnamon powder in a cup of warm
milk. Add some honey and drink it after stirring well.
It can also
be used in tea. Add cinnamon powder in boiling water. After steeping for some
time, strain the tea. Drink it for healing gastric trouble.
14.
Gooseberry (Amla)
Gooseberry
is one of the best treatments used for curing several problems related to hair,
stomach, heart, skin, etc. Every morning, amla juice should be taken on an
empty stomach. It is rich in fibres and Vitamin C, which help in curing the
problem of acidity and constipation.
15. Carom
Seeds (Ajwain)
Carom seeds
are very helpful in curing indigestion, nausea, and gastric trouble. Take a
half teaspoon of carom seeds. Crush it in your hand to remove the strong smell.
Mix asafoetida and salt. Chew it or swallow it with water.
16.
Turmeric Leaves
Turmeric is
known for its medicinal properties. Take some turmeric leaves and
grind them. Mix them in a glass of milk. Then, drink it. It will alleviate the
gastric trouble.
17.
Potato Juice
Take some
potatoes and grind them. Take out the juice by squeezing the grinded potatoes.
Drink the juice before having meals. For better results, drink the juice three
times a day.
18. Guava
Leaves
Put some
guava leaves in water. Allow them to boil in water. After boiling, strain the
leaves and drink the water.
19.
Brandy
Brandy is
also used for healing gastric troubles. Put two teaspoons of brandy in a glass
of warm water. Stir it well and drink it before going to sleep.
20. Dill
(Lao Coriander) Oil
Dill is a
herbal remedy for gas. Add one drop of Dill oil in a teaspoon of honey and gulp
it.
Note: Pregnant
women are not recommended to use Dill oil.
21.
Activated Charcoal
Charcoal is
known for drawing excess gas from the intestines of a human body. Take one
charcoal tablet before and after having a meal. It is easily available at
health food stores.
22.
Celery Leaves (Ajmud)
To get
relief in gastric pain and irritation, chew some celery leaves.
23. Onion
Extract
juice of some onions. Drink the extracted juice to get relief in gastric
problems.
24.
Herbal Tea
Prepare tea
of raspberry, mint, blackberry, and chamomile. Drink this herbal tea to improve
the digestion process.
25.
Coconut Water
Coconut
water possesses a lot of proteins. You should drink coconut water to
get relief in gastric troubles. If coconut water is regularly consumed, body
becomes rich in proteins.
26.
Organic Parsley
Consuming
fresh parsley is beneficial for digestion. Either as a dried spice or freshly
minced parsley should be added in food. This helps in preventing intestinal gas
problem.
27. Colon
Cleanse
Perform a
colon cleanse for 7 regular days. This will help in removing various health
issues, including gastric trouble. After the 7-days colon cleanse, start oxygen
colon cleanse, two or three times in a week. This will remove the toxic agents
from the body.
28.
Dandelion Tea
Take
dandelion roots and prepare their tea. This herbal tea helps in healing the
problem of gas.
Dandelion can also be used as a spice in meals, which is as effective as tea.
Dandelion can also be used as a spice in meals, which is as effective as tea.
29.
Fasting
Our stomach
is also a machine. If it is pressurized a lot, it starts to function
improperly. So, fasting can be a remedy to provide rest to stomach. Two or
three days fasting helps in removing those toxic agents that cause gas and
irritation in the stomach.
30.
Peppermint
Peppermint
tea is helpful in healing stomach gas. Put some peppermint leaves in a cup of
boiling water. After boiling properly, strain it. Before drinking this herbal
tea, add some honey to it.
Chew fresh
peppermint leaves for getting instant relief from gas. Alternatively, add 2-3
drops of peppermint oil in half cup of cool water. Drink this water two or
three times a day.
REMEMBER
If the
symptoms persist, see your doctor soon