How To Get Rid Of Trapped Gas 2023? Symptoms & 7 Home Remedies
Reviewed by Ellen ODonohue, Retired RN
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Do you want to find out how to get rid of trapped gas? However, trapped gas is more than just an inconvenient discomfort can manifest as sharp, stabbing pain in the chest or abdomen, leading many to confuse it with severe conditions like heart attacks or appendicitis.
While gas production is a normal part of digestion, trapped gas can turn normalcy into a distressing ordeal. Therefore, it’s crucial to understand how to remove gas from the stomach, identify underlying causes, and prevent frequent occurrences. With the growing popularity of natural remedies, the benefits of apple cider vinegar in managing digestive issues have come to light. Coupled with other dietary adjustments and an active lifestyle, it can help alleviate symptoms.
Moreover, adopting the best probiotic might be a sensible step, as this can promote healthy gut bacteria, aiding digestion and remedy gas pains. In the following sections, we’ll delve deeper into these solutions and tips for effectively managing trapped gas.
How To Get Rid Of Trapped Gas?
- Physical Activity
- Abdominal Massage
- Yoga
- Hydration
- Herbal Remedies
- Baking Soda
- Apple Cider Vinegar
How To Get Rid Of Trapped Gas?
Physical Activity
Light exercises, such as brisk walking,[1] can activate your gastrointestinal muscles, assisting in gas expulsion. This remedy is particularly beneficial when dealing with intestinal gas.
Abdominal Massage
Administering a gentle massage to your abdomen[2] can propel the gas through your digestive tract. The ‘I LOVE U’ method is highly effective. This technique entails drawing each letter on your abdomen with your fingers: ‘I’ as a straight vertical line on your left side, ‘L’ as a vertical line on the left and horizontal across your abdomen, and ‘U’ in a semi-circular movement from right to left across the lower abdomen. This pattern mimics the path of your colon, allowing you to pass gas.
Yoga
Certain yoga postures, like Pawanmuktasana or the ‘wind-relieving pose’, can ease trapped gas. In addition, by relaxing your body and stimulating your digestive tract, yoga contributes to gas relief.[3]
Hydration
Staying well-hydrated is vital for keeping our bodies ticking along smoothly, including our digestive system. Drinking non-fizzy drinks like herbal teas or just plain warm water can help soften potential gas triggers in our gut.
Sipping herbal teas like peppermint, chamomile, or ginger can also work wonders. These teas are comforting and have a knack for soothing our digestive muscles, making it easier for any stubborn gas to pass through and increasing the passing gas.
Herbal Remedies
Certain herbs and spices such as anise, caraway, peppermint oil coriander, fennel, and turmeric are celebrated for their carminative qualities, which help reduce gas. Incorporating these herbs in a warm drink can offer substantial relief.
Baking Soda
Sodium bicarbonate or baking soda can neutralize stomach acid that might otherwise lead to gas. A glass of water with up to half a teaspoon of baking soda can provide immediate relief. However, you’ll need to do this with some caution, as excessive use can result in an overfull stomach or, in rare cases, stomach rupture.
It’s important to remember that while these home remedies are generally safe if you experience severe or recurring symptoms, consulting with a healthcare provider is prudent, as this could signal an underlying digestive issue.
Apple Cider Vinegar
This traditional remedy is believed to assist in the digestion of food, thereby preventing gas formation. In addition, consuming a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar diluted in a glass of water before meals can relieve gas and bloating and relieve gas pain.
Symptoms Of Trapped Gas
The symptoms of trapped gas or painful gas can be both alarming and uncomfortable. They often appear suddenly, presenting as a sharp, stabbing pain or an intense sensation of discomfort. This discomfort can be localized in your abdomen or chest, contributing to unease.
- One common symptom is bloating.[4] In addition, your stomach may feel tight, full or, feel too much air inside, often accompanied by stomach cramps. This can be distressing and affect your ability to perform your daily activities comfortably.
- Pain from trapped gas isn’t limited to the stomach area. If gas accumulates on the left side of your colon, the pain can radiate upwards to your chest. This can mimic the symptoms of a heart attack, causing unnecessary panic.
- Similarly, if the gas builds up on the right side of the colon, the discomfort can feel akin to appendicitis or gallstones.
What Causes Trapped Gas?
Trapped gas or excessive gas can have many causes, most related to the digestive process, but it can also result from specific physical conditions that may require treatment.
- Digestive causes include normal digestion, intolerance of certain foods, bacterial overgrowth in the gut, and constipation.
- Some lifestyle behaviors can also contribute to trapped gas, such as chewing gum, overeating, smoking, or even changes in your pelvic muscles due to surgery or pregnancy.
- Apart from these common causes, certain factors may exacerbate the situation. For example, stress, persistent post-nasal drip, specific over-the-counter cold medications, and psyllium fiber supplements could potentially cause excess gas.
- Artificial sugar substitutes like sorbitol, mannitol, and xylitol are also culprits, as they are hard to digest and can lead to gas production.
- Lastly, several health conditions can lead to gas pain. These include irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and peptic ulcers. These conditions often affect the digestive system and can cause symptoms such as bloating and gas buildup.
If you suspect your trapped gas symptoms are related to a chronic condition, seeking medical advice is important.
When Should You Consult A Doctor?
While experiencing trapped gas is a common aspect of digestion, persistent or severe symptoms can indicate a more serious underlying health issue.
Therefore, seeking professional medical advice is wise for dealing with frequent trapped gas, prolonged episodes, or any concerning signs.
Be vigilant of additional symptoms, which could point to potentially serious conditions. These might include
- Unexplained weight loss.
- Alterations in bowel movement frequency.
- Presence of blood in the stool.
- Persistent constipation or diarrhea.
- Recurrent nausea or vomiting.
- Heartburn.
- Significant decrease in appetite.
These can indicate various health issues, from gastrointestinal disorders to more severe conditions.
Consulting a healthcare professional can help accurately diagnose your condition and formulate an appropriate treatment plan, which might involve the recommendation of a probiotic or a prescription antibiotic.
In addition, open communication with your doctor about any remedies you’re currently employing, including herbal supplements, is crucial. This ensures that your treatment is comprehensive, considers all factors, and reduces the risk of adverse interactions.
Conclusion
Trapped gas can often cause discomfort, but it’s typically manageable with lifestyle adjustments and home remedies like increased physical activity, abdominal massage, yoga, proper hydration, and certain herbs and dietary substances.
However, persistent or severe gas symptoms could indicate a more significant health concern. Therefore, any changes in bowel movements, unexplained weight loss, or additional symptoms should prompt a visit to a healthcare professional.
Frequently Asked Questions
Home remedies include physical activity, abdominal massages, yoga, drinking non-carbonated fluids, and consuming herbs like anise or turmeric. Baking soda or apple cider vinegar diluted in water may also help.
Most remedies are safe, but overuse can lead to problems. For instance, too much baking soda can cause stomach rupture. Always start with small amounts and consult your healthcare provider if unsure.
Yes, trapped gas can cause significant discomfort or pain, often described as a sharp, stabbing sensation in the chest or abdomen. However, severe, persistent pain should be evaluated by a medical professional.
If trapped gas is frequent, lasts a long time, or is accompanied by symptoms like unexplained weight loss, changes in bowel movements, blood in stool, persistent constipation, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, heartburn, or loss of appetite, seek medical advice.
Yes, light exercise can stimulate the muscles in your gastrointestinal tract, aiding in the movement and release of trapped gas.
Specific yoga poses can help your body relax and stimulate your digestive system, facilitating gas passing. The knee-to-chest pose is one such beneficial position.
Certain herbs like anise, caraway, coriander, fennel, and turmeric aid digestion and reduce gas. Drinking these mixed in warm water can offer relief.
Although scientific evidence exists, apple cider vinegar is a traditional gas-release remedy. In addition, anecdotal evidence suggests it might aid digestion and prevent gas formation.
+ 4 sources
MIDSS adheres to strict procurement guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutes, and medical associations. We work mainly with peer-reviewed studies to ensure the accuracy of the information. We avoid the use of tertiary references. You can read about how we ensure the accuracy and timeliness of our content in our editorial process.
- Hosseini-Asl, M.K., Taherifard, E. and Mousavi, M.R. (2021). The effect of a short-term physical activity after meals on gastrointestinal symptoms in individuals with functional abdominal bloating: a randomized clinical trial. Gastroenterology and hepatology from bed to bench, [online] 14(1), pp.59–66. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8035544/.
- Wang, G., Zhang, Z., Sun, J., Li, X., Chu, Y., Zhao, D., Ju, H., Wu, X. and Cong, D. (2022). Abdominal massage: A review of clinical and experimental studies from 1990 to 2021. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, [online] 70, pp.102861–102861. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2022.102861.
- Dalton, A., Mermier, C.M. and Zuhl, M. (2019). Exercise influence on the microbiome–gut–brain axis. Gut microbes, [online] 10(5), pp.555–568. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/19490976.2018.1562268.
- Cangemi, D.J. and Lacy, B.E. (2022). A Practical Approach to the Diagnosis and Treatment of Abdominal Bloating and Distension. Gastroenterology & hepatology, [online] 18(2), pp.75–84. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9053509/.
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