Gas Trapping: What Causes It and What Helps?

Every person has varying amounts of gas in their intestines.

Every person has varying amounts of gas in their intestines. This gas varies depending on the foods consumed and is regularly expelled from the body in healthy individuals. However, in some cases, the gas cannot be expelled from the body, leading to bloating and gas trapping. Gas trapping can cause discomfort, pain, and abdominal bloating, which may affect daily life. In gas trapping, the gas cannot be released either voluntarily or involuntarily.

What is Gas Trapping?

The formation of gas during normal digestion is natural. However, when this gas cannot be expelled from the body, it causes pain. Gas is a digestive product that is always present in the intestines, but its amount may vary over time. This gas can form as a result of the digestion of food, from the air swallowed while eating, or from swallowing saliva. While the swallowed air tends to exit the body when sitting upright, it may get trapped in the stomach in situations like lying down or bending, causing discomfort. This swallowed air in the stomach combines with the gas produced during digestion and reaches the intestines. When the gas cannot be expelled from the intestines, it increases in volume and causes a feeling of trapping.

What Causes Gas Trapping?

Partially digested food that reaches the intestines undergoes the final stage of digestion by intestinal bacteria, releasing gas. Some foods are more difficult for these bacteria to digest, which leads to an increased amount of gas production. This gas consists of carbon dioxide, hydrogen, and methane. This problem usually resolves quickly, but in some cases, it can cause serious pain.

Swallowing Excess Air

This condition, known as aerophagia, can occur while eating or drinking. People unknowingly swallow excessive amounts of air throughout the day. This condition is especially common in people who are stressed, but chewing gum and using a straw are also contributing factors. The causes of swallowing air include:

• Chewing gum
• Consumption of carbonated drinks
• Sucking on hard candies
• Smoking
• Loose dentures
• Eating too quickly
• Using a straw

Dietary Habits

The consumption of certain foods can lead to more gas production due to more difficult digestion. Particularly when individuals have food intolerances like lactose intolerance, gas formation is higher. This is because food components that the body cannot tolerate require more effort to digest, which leads to increased gas formation. Foods that can cause more gas formation include:

• Fruits and fruit juices (especially in the case of fructose intolerance)
• Carbonated drinks
• Whole grains
• Leafy green vegetables (e.g., arugula, spinach)
• Dairy products
• Foods with extra fiber
• Broccoli
• Brussels sprouts
• Dried legumes
• Onions
• Garlic
• Cabbage
• Peas

Certain Medications

Some medications used for diabetes, constipation treatments, or antacids can cause excessive gas formation. When this gas cannot be expelled from the body, it leads to gas trapping.

Various Diseases

Diseases affecting the intestines can increase gas formation, leading to gas trapping. These diseases include:

• Celiac Disease: Foods containing wheat, barley, and rye have gluten, which some people cannot tolerate. This leads to excessive gas formation as the small intestine is affected.
• Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: Conditions like ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease cause inflammation in the colon. In addition to diarrhea and abdominal pain, this inflammation can also lead to gas formation and gas trapping.
• Diverticulitis: Infected pouches in the colon wall can cause increased gas formation, leading to gas trapping.
• Short Bowel Syndrome: Short bowel syndrome, which can occur after intestinal surgery, causes malabsorption of food. This condition can affect digestion, leading to more gas formation.
• Excessive Bacterial Growth in the Small Intestine: An increase in harmful bacteria in the small intestine disrupts the microbiota, negatively affecting digestion. This can lead to gas formation.
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): A digestive system problem affecting 15% of the population, characterized by unexplained gas trapping, cramps, diarrhea, and constipation attacks. The exact cause and treatment of IBS are unknown, but treatments and lifestyle changes are recommended to alleviate symptoms.

How Is Gas Bloating Diagnosed?

In most cases, no tests are needed to diagnose gas bloating. The doctor's examination typically involves reviewing the individual's medical history, including their diet and any existing medical conditions. Some medications can also cause gas production, so medical history is important. During a physical examination, the doctor may listen to the intestines using a stethoscope. Abdominal bloating and tenderness will also be checked physically. As some diseases that require surgery may begin with gas bloating complaints, your doctor might request an abdominal X-ray, CT scan, or ultrasound. If no specific cause for the bloating is found, further tests such as lactose intolerance tests, advanced imaging, stool samples, or an endoscopy for gastrointestinal examination may be conducted.

What Are the Symptoms Accompanying Gas Bloating?

Since the cause of gas bloating is digestive issues or excess gas production, the accompanying symptoms are typically related to the digestive system. These symptoms include:

• Diarrhea
• Blood in stool
• Loss of appetite
• Fever
• Feeling of abdominal bloating
• Difficulty swallowing
• Vomiting
• Cramping
• Constipation

Treatment for Gas Bloating

There are various methods for treating gas bloating, depending on its severity. If gas bloating is a recurring issue, the doctor may prescribe medication or recommend adopting a new dietary plan.

Diet
If the gas bloating is caused by difficult-to-digest foods, removing or reducing these foods from the diet can reduce gas production and prevent bloating. Dairy products, whole grains, sweeteners, and dried legumes can increase gas production, so avoiding them for a period may be helpful. However, before eliminating foods from the diet temporarily, it is important to ensure there is no food intolerance. If there is a food intolerance, those specific foods should be completely eliminated. Additionally, the balance of bacteria in the intestines plays a role in gas production. To prevent harmful bacteria from outnumbering beneficial ones, probiotic foods can be added to the diet to balance the gut microbiota.

Aside from removing certain foods, another effective method is consuming relaxing herbal teas. Peppermint, fennel, and chamomile tea can help ease gas release and alleviate bloating when consumed in moderation. Other natural remedies that may help release gas include spices such as anise, cumin, coriander, and turmeric. However, before using these herbal teas and spices to address gas bloating, it is essential to consult a doctor.

Exercise
Physical exercise can support the movement of gas through the intestines and facilitate its release. Yoga positions, in particular, can help with relaxation. Abdominal massage performed alongside physical exercise may also be effective in releasing gas. However, incorrect physical exercises may worsen bloating, so it is advisable to consult an expert before trying them.

Medication
If the gas problem is severe and cannot be managed by lifestyle changes, the doctor may prescribe anti-gas medications. These medications help eliminate gas by dissolving bubbles or facilitating their movement, aiding in their expulsion from the body. Some medications are taken before meals to prevent excess gas production, which can help prevent gas bloating altogether.

Gas formation, which is a normal part of digestion, can cause uncomfortable symptoms when it cannot be expelled from the body. If you have been experiencing persistent gas spasms, it is recommended to seek medical attention at the earliest opportunity.