Gas and Bloating

Swallowing air causes stomach gas. While you naturally swallow some air when you eat and drink, you may swallow too much air from eating or drinking too quickly, drinking carbonated beverages, smoking, chewing gum, wearing loose dentures, and sucking on hard candy. Most of the time, this extra air is expelled by burping. Sometimes, it may be released as gas.

Gas and bloating may result if your body does not properly digest and absorb carbohydrates (sugars and starches) in your small intestine, which can occur if you don’t produce enough digestive enzymes. Undigested carbohydrates are broken down by harmless bacteria in the large intestine, which can cause gas and bloating.

Additionally, foods containing soluble fiber (another type of carbohydrate) do not break down until they reach the large intestine. Soluble fiber is found in oat bran, beans, peas, and fruits such as berries.

Sugars that are most likely to cause gas include:

• Raffinose: Found in beans, cabbage, brussels sprouts, broccoli, other vegetables, and whole grains
• Lactose: Found in milk, ice cream, cheese, yogurt
• Fructose: Found in tree fruits, berries, honey, onions, some vegetables, and wheat
• Sorbitol, Mannitol, or Xylitol: Found in sugar-free candies and gum

Starches that commonly cause gas include potatoes, corn, noodles, and wheat products.

Excess gas can cause discomfort, pain, and bloating. Sometimes, gas may have a bad odor. While usually harmless, gas and bloating may also be symptoms of certain gastrointestinal (GI) conditions.

Chronic belching can be a symptom of an upper GI disorder, such as:

• Peptic ulcers
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Hiatal hernia
• Gastroparesis (slow stomach emptying)
• Lactose and fructose intolerance

Gas and bloating can be a symptom of a lower GI disorder, such as:

• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Celiac disease
• Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth
• Chronic constipation
• Colon cancer

To diagnose the cause of your gas symptoms, your doctor will review your medical history and conduct a physical examination. Be sure to tell your doctor about your dietary habits, symptoms, and any changes in your bowel movements. They may ask you to keep a journal of the food you eat and the symptoms you experience.

If your doctor suspects that a gastrointestinal condition is causing your excess gas or gas symptoms, they may order blood, stool, or imaging tests.

Treatment for gas, belching, and bloating depends on what is causing the excess gas. After reviewing your diet and eating habits, your doctor might recommend:

• Reducing the amount of air you swallow by not smoking, not chewing gum, and eating and drinking slower
• Limiting or avoiding the foods that cause gas development
• Using over-the-counter digestive enzymes to help digest carbohydrates in foods that normally cause gas development
• Using over-the-counter antacid medications to help remove gas from your digestive tract

If you are diagnosed with a gastrointestinal condition, your doctor will discuss appropriate treatment options with you.