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Trapped gas can feel like a stabbing pain in your chest or abdomen. The pain can be sharp enough to send you
to the emergency room, thinking it’s a heart attack, or appendicitis, or your gallbladder.
Producing and passing gas is a normal part of your digestion. But when a bubble of gas gets stuck inside you,
you want to relieve the pain as fast as possible. And if you have other symptoms, it’s a good idea to find out
what’s causing the pain.
Read on to learn how to relieve trapped gas, what the causes might be, and tips for prevention.
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Best home remedies for trapped gas
Certain home remedies for relieving trapped gas work better for some people than others. You may have to
experiment to see what works best and fastest for you. Most of the evidence behind these home remedies is
anecdotal.
Here are some quick ways to expel trapped gas, either by burping or passing gas.
Move
Walk around. Movement may help you expel the gas.
Massage
Try gently massaging the painful spot.
Yoga poses
Specific yoga poses can help your body relax to aid the passing of gas. Here’s a pose to start with:
1. Lie on your back and extend your legs straight up with your feet together.
2. Bend your knees and put your arms around them.
3. Pull your knees down to your chest.
4. At the same time, pull your head up to your knees. You can also keep your head flat, if it’s more
comfortable.
5. Hold the pose for 20 seconds or more.
Liquids
Drink noncarbonated liquids. Warm water or herbal tea helps some people. Try peppermint, ginger, or
chamomile tea.
Use prepared teabags, or make your own herbal tea by steeping ginger root, peppermint leaves, or dried
chamomile.
A traditional Persian remedy advises mixing 10 grams each of ground cumin and fennel with 5 grams of
ground anise, and steeping them in a cup of boiling water for 20 minutes.
Herbs
Natural kitchen remedies for gas include:
anise
caraway
coriander
fennel
turmeric
Mix one of these ground herbs or seeds into a glass of warm water and drink.
Bicarbonate of soda
Dissolve 1/2 teaspoon of sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) in a glass of water and drink it.
Be careful not to use more than 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda. Too much baking soda taken when you have a full
stomach could lead to a stomach rupture .
Anecdotal evidence suggests this can be effective, but there’s no scientific evidence to support this claim.
However, there aren’t any negative side effects to this method.
Enzyme preparations
Products for lactose intolerance may help if you have trouble digesting lactose. But these are usually taken as a
preventive measure. These enzyme products include:
Lactaid
Digest Dairy Plus
Dairy Relief
You can find these products in most pharmacies or shop online: Lactaid, Digest Dairy Plus, Dairy Relief.
Alpha-galactosidase is a natural enzyme that helps prevent gas from legumes. There’s some evidence that it
works to prevent gas and bloating. But again, it’s usually taken as a preventive measure.
Adsorbents
Simethicone products have possible benefits in relieving gas, according to some studies . They work by
breaking up bubbles in gas.
Gas-X
Alka-Seltzer Anti-Gas
Mylanta Gas
Activated charcoal tablets, capsules, or powder may also help reduce gas. The charcoal is activated by heating
it to make it more porous, which traps gas molecules in the spaces created. However, these products may have
unwanted side effects, such as turning your tongue black.
Activated Charcoal
CharcoCaps
You can find simethicone and activated charcoal products at most pharmacies or order online by clicking the
links below:
Gas-X
Alka-Seltzer Anti-Gas
Mylanta Gas
Activated Charcoal
CharcoCaps
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Your stomach may be bloated and you may have stomach cramps.
Pain from gas that collects on the left side of your colon can radiate up to your chest. You may think this is a
heart attack.
Gas that collects on the right side of the colon can feel like it might be appendicitis or gallstones.
Causes of trapped gas
There are many causes of trapped gas bubbles. Most are related to the process of digestion. But some may
result from physical conditions that need treatment.
Common causes of excess gas Other factors that may cause excess gas Health conditions
irritable bowel
digestion persistent post-nasal drip
syndrome (IBS)
Digestion
Your digestion and gas production are affected by:
The bacteria, yeast, and fungi in your colon (large intestine) are responsible for breaking down any food that
isn’t fully processed by your small intestine.
Some people may be slower at processing and clearing gas in their intestine. This may be because they lack
the enzymes required.
Your colon processes carbohydrates like beans, bran, cabbage, and broccoli into hydrogen and carbon dioxide
gases. For some people, this can cause an excess of gas that may become trapped.
Food intolerances
Some people do not have enough lactase, which is the enzyme required to digest some milk products. This is
called lactose intolerance.
Others may have symptoms after eating gluten containing foods, which is called non-celiac gluten sensitivity.
Bacterial overgrowth
Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) occurs when bacteria that normally grows in other parts of the gut
starts growing in the small intestine. This may cause more than normal intestinal gas.
Constipation
Constipation is one of the most common digestive problems in the United States. It’s defined as having fewer
than three bowel movements a week, and having stools that are hard and dry.
Lifestyle behaviors
Many habits can contribute to more gas production, especially behaviors that allow more air intake when you
eat. Examples include:
using a straw to drink
drinking from a water bottle or a water fountain
talking when eating
chewing gum
eating hard candy
overeating
sighing deeply
smoking or using chewing tobacco
It may be useful to keep a food diary. This can help you keep track of the foods and circumstances that lead to
a gas bubble. Then you can avoid those foods or behaviors that seem to give you a problem.
Try eliminating foods one by one, so that you can pinpoint possible problems.
Stay hydrated.
Avoid carbonated beverages.
Drink liquids at room temperature, not too hot or too cold.
Avoid foods known to cause excess gas.
Avoid artificial sweeteners.
Eat slowly and chew your food well.
Don’t chew gum.
Don’t smoke or chew tobacco.
If you wear dentures, have your dentist check on whether they let in too much air when you eat.
Increase your physical activity.
Try some of the home remedies or OTC remedies for gas, and see what might work for you.
When to see a doctor
It’s a good idea to see your doctor, if you frequently have trapped gas bubbles, if they last a long time, or if you
have any worrisome symptoms.